How To Protect Your Family
Against Medicine Tampering

How To Protect Your Family Against Medicine Mistakes

Medicine tampering can happen in many ways and there are observations you can make before purchasing and after you get the medicine home that can help alert you to medicine tampering.

Knowing how to protect yourself and your family members is important when dealing with medicines.

Tampering can occur with over-the-counter (OTC) or nonprescription medicines. Packaging nowadays is made so that tampering is more difficult and also so that you can more easily recognize the signs of tampering.

A tamper resistant medicine package has a barrier or indicator such as a pattern, picture, or logo that is easy to recognize when it is broken.

If the barrier is broken or in two pieces never use, but return it to place of purchase. Improved packaging also includes overwraps, seals and caps on the outer and or inner containers or that each dose is sealed in its own pouch.

Always check for signs of tampering when making medicine purchases. You can look for signs of tampering before you buy a product by examining the packaging for signs of broken seals, or barriers. Check the inner packaging for the same signs before you use the medicine.

If the medicine does not look right or shows any signs of tampering do not use it.

Never take medicines in the dark or in poor lighting. Always read the label before dosing.

Look for breaks, cracks or holes in the outer or inner wrappings, seals or other protective covers. Does the outer wrap seem to have been disturbed or replaced?

Side Effects Drugs Over The Counter Medications Clarified Over-The-Counter medications (OTC) are those drugs that an individual can purchase without using a prescription in drugstores, grocery stores and other retail establishments. OTC medications are typically those used to relieve pain, aches, and also itches as well as those that prevent or even cure diseases, such as athlete's food, migraines, and tooth decay. When an individual resides in the U. Drugs and Medicine

 

Look at the bottom of the container to be sure that it is intact.

Is the cap on tight?

Is the cotton plug at the top of the container and is it stained, sticky or torn?

Check to be sure that any expiration dates match (outside of package with the date on the container).

When checking liquids make sure that the color is the usual color and consistency.

Are there any particles at the bottom of the bottle?

If there is any strange taste, odor, or look to it; do not use the medicine.

Are capsules cracked, look shiny or duller than usual?

Drugs And Interactions Are You Allergic To Your Medication? Did you know that you could have an allergic reaction to the medication you are taking? Would you know what an allergic reaction to your medication is when it happens? Finding out the answers to these questions before it happens is better than being blindsided by an allergic reaction to your medication and having an emergency to deal with. Drugs and Medicine

Are the capsules all of the same length?

Do all the capsules have the same printing on them?

Protecting yourself and your family against medicine tampering means being alert during the purchase of medicines and when you open the medicine for the first time.

Look at each dose for signs of it being different from how it usually looks, feels or tastes. It is also wise to pay attention to daily news stories to catch any relevant drug tampering that may affect the medicines that your family uses.

Any time you suspect that something is out of the ordinary with a medicine, take it to your pharmacist.

The pharmacist is familiar with medicine packaging and can confirm your suspicions or put you at ease.