Nearly 50% of the United States population uses prescription drugs, with prescription-drug use increasing as we age.1 It’s important to get your medication facts right and debunk popular myths, so you can ensure you’re making safe and effective choices.
Once I feel better, I can stop taking my meds.
Some medications, like antibiotics, need to be taken for a predetermined period of time to have their full effect. Some conditions are “silent” and how you feel may not be the best way to determine if you still need treatment.
Generic medications are less effective.
Generic drug manufacturers submit a number of tests to support that the generic product will behave in your body the same as the brand equivalent. They may have a slightly different look or color—and a different price—than brand-name medications, but the action they have on the body is the same.
Over-the-counter drugs (like cold or headache meds) don’t interfere with prescription medications.
Non-prescription drugs and herbal remedies can cause side effects and also have the potential to interact negatively with prescription medications. Check with a MOBE Pharmacist before adding new products to your routine.
I should keep my meds in the bathroom cabinet.
Storing medications in hot or damp places (like the bathroom, near the stove, or in the glove compartment of your car) can damage them and make them less effective. In general (unless the instructions say otherwise), store medications in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight.
A licensed MOBE Pharmacist can help you minimize risks and harmful side effects. They can make sure your prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbals, and supplements are safe to take together.
References:
1. “Nearly Half of People in United States Use Prescription Drugs,” U.S. Pharmacist (May 2019), https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/nearly-half-of-people-in-united-states-use-prescription-drugs-over-a-month
