 Know Your Medicine You are likely health conscious and check food labels to make sure that you have a balanced diet. But do you check the labels of your medications? It is also important to your health to KNOW YOUR MEDICINE. According to a study done by The Drug Information and Research Centre (DIRC), a service of the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association, most Canadians do not know what active ingredients are found in their medications. However, many of the OTC (over-the-counter) products sold in pharmacies contain the same active ingredient. For example, acetaminophen, the pain reliever in TYLENOL* products, is also found in over 100 other prescription and OTC medications! Acetaminophen is widely used because it is a safe and effective ingredient. But too much pain reliever, like too much of any medication, can lead to health problems. By paying attention to what you take, and how to take it properly, you can make sure you don’t get too much of a good thing. Try these three steps to make sure that you get the best use of your medications:  1) Read your labels – so you know how to take your medicine correctly
All medications have very clear instructions on their labels. Be sure to read them carefully before taking any medicine.
Purpose (Indications): The label on the medication will be very clear about what symptoms the product is meant to help.
Directions: The label also has specific directions about how to take the
medicine, including when and how much of the medication is right for you.
Cautions: Don’t forget to check the warnings, which will let you know if the medication is appropriate for you to take.
When you pick up an OTC product for the first time, see if the product says that it treats your problem, make sure that it can be used with any other health condition you might have, and read the information on how you are supposed to take it.
2) Know what’s in your medicine – so that you know exactly what you are taking
Look for the active ingredient found in the medication. This is the chemical compound or drug which works with your body to bring relief. You can find the active ingredient listed under the “Medicinal Ingredients” on the package. Some medications will contain more than one active ingredient. Check these against any other medications you are taking to make sure you don’t get the same ingredient from some other product.
3) Count the doses – so that you take only the daily recommended dosage
You don’t want to take too much of a good thing! The amount you are supposed to take will change from medication to medication depending on what the active ingredient is. Be sure to check how much and how often you are supposed to take your medicine and stick to it. Keep track of when you took a dose so that you don’t go over the recommended amount. Do not take more than directed.
Remember, OTC medications are real medicines and need to be taken seriously. By keeping these three important guidelines in mind you are now on your way to a safer, healthier you! For more information on the safe use of OTC medications, visit DIRC’s website at www.bemedwise.ca . On this site you will also find a listing of products that contain the active ingredient in TYLENOL* products. Still unsure? Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details on your own personal medicine.
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