Compared to the ones that can be easily bought from the stores and taken without professional advice, prescription drugs are licensed medicines that cannot be obtained without a medical prescription. Unlike the over-the-counter pills, prescription drugs can be authorized only by the licensed doctors, some advanced practice nurses, veterinarians (for animals), dentists, optometrists, psychologists, clinical pharmacists and other medically-licensed individuals. This is to avoid use of the medicine for non-medical reasons as prescription drugs have stronger medicinal content compared to the ones that can easily be bought over the counter.
Every pack of a prescription drug should include an insert containing the information that specifically explains the effects of the said drug of abuse and the way how it works in our body. It also indicates what these medicines are for and when they should be taken to avoid addiction. Aside from these, the insert should also mention what are the possible side effects of the particular drug including warnings and cautions especially to those who have allergies.
Studies show that there are some prescription drugs proven to be safe and potent shortly after the expiration date indicated. However, not all of them would still have the same effectiveness as before it expired, so it is still safer to follow what is in the label.
Taking Advantage of Your Prescription Drugs
Sadly, some people take advantage of their doctor’s prescription and use them even if they are no longer needed. This can often lead to drug abuse. This percentage of individuals also use prescribed narcotic painkillers such as Opioids, stimulants and depressants which are commonly used to treat hyperactivity and sleep disorders for non-medical reasons causing prescription addiction. Even doctors do not have any idea why this type of drug abuse is so rampant nowadays as they only add prescription drugs for health problems which got worse than the patient’s previous condition.
Addiction to prescription drugs can be treated effectively by knowing the type of drug that has been over-used and by simply undergoing detoxification, counseling sessions and sometimes, by taking addiction medications to counter the effects of drugs and eventually treat prescription drug overdose.
Nevertheless, prevention is still better than cure. Prescription drugs should always be used appropriately and the directions should always be followed carefully. Patients should be aware how one pill can have a potential chemical interaction with the other, even if they both have prescriptions. The takers of prescription drugs should know what their allergies are and the factors that trigger them to avoid further complications and never alter prescription drugs without first consulting a doctor. Patients should also avoid taking medicines prescribed for somebody else even if they are both having the exact same symptoms. If a certain pill is prescribed, take it religiously and do not take it for granted to avoid aggravation and development of other relative diseases. Similar to over-the-counter drugs, the prescribed ones can also safely treat whatever ailment is as long as it is taken as instructed. They only become illicit whenever taken in a wrong dosage, especially when symptoms are not present at all.
On the other hand, pharmacists should be careful in dispensing medications. They should be knowledgeable enough of what each medicine can cause, as well as its side effects so they can discuss it better with the patients. The most important thing is that everybody, not just the patients but also the doctors, should be responsible enough not just to know these prescription drug facts but most especially to apply them to reality.
