Most of us, at one time or another, have asked a friend or family member for some medicine without prescription to treat headache or upset stomach, as the dosage and instructions are quite universal.
But is the same protocol appropriate when it comes to taking someone else's prescription medications?
The doctors' resounding answer is a resounding “no.”
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There are specific reasons for this.
“Taking someone else's prescription medication can be very harmful,” LaTasha Perkins, MD, a family physician at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, told Fox News Digital.
Doctors agreed that sharing prescription medications with others is a bad idea. (iStock)
“You just need to take your own medicine and not someone else's, because there is a lot to do to find out.”
There are numerous considerations involved when prescribing medication to a patient, Perkins said, including Health conditionmedical history and blood tests, which can be completely different from one person to another.
Even if you take the same medication as someone else, the other person may be taking a different dose, the doctor noted.
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“Many medications also look and sound the same, so take what is specifically prescribed,” he cautioned.
Numerous factors go into prescribing medications for a patient, including Health conditionmedical history and blood tests, according to doctors. (iStock)
Drug interactions present another concern.
“If you are taking vitamins or any other medications that may interact with a prescription medication, that should be taken into account when adapting your prescription,” Perkins said.
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Allergies are another key consideration, the doctor cautioned, as some people are allergic to additives in medications.
“There is a reason why medication is prescribed: because it is personalized for each individual based on a variety of health factors“Perkins said.
The consequences of sharing prescription drugs, which is never a good idea, can range from severe allergic reactions to drug interactions and overdoses, one doctor warned. (iStock)
Chad Weston, MD, a physician at Novant Health Oceanside Family Medicine & Convenient Care – Brunswick in Shallotte, North Carolina, agreed that taking a medication prescribed to a different person, even for seemingly similar symptoms, can be harmful and have consequences. unwished.
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“These consequences range from severe allergic reactions to drug interactions and overdoses, causing damage to organs such as the liver and kidneys,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
Instead of seeking relief from symptoms by taking someone else's medication, you should see a doctor to obtain an accurate diagnosis and prescription, Weston advised.
Instead of seeking relief from symptoms by taking someone else's medication, you should consult a doctor for an accurate medical diagnosis and prescription, one doctor recommended. (iStock)
In case you are traveling and don't have your medications with you, Perkins said the best thing to do is call your doctor.
“If you don't have your medication, we can call you at a pharmacy wherever you are,” he said.
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“That's why it's so important to have a family doctor“,” she said.
“Having a relationship with your doctor can help you deal with situations like this.”
