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Since most people are familiar with the dosage and usage instructions of over-the-counter medications, most of us have at some point approached a friend or family member for advice on how to cure a headache or upset stomach. However, is taking someone else’s prescription medication appropriate to follow the same procedure? The doctors’ unanimous response is a loud “no.”
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According to LaTasha Perkins, M.D., a family physician at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., “there are specific reasons why taking someone else’s prescribed medication can be very harmful,” Fox News Digital said. Physicians concurred that it is not a good idea to share prescription drugs with other people.
Because so much goes into figuring it out, you should only take your own medication and not someone else’s.According to Perkins, a patient’s health situation, medical history, and blood work are just a few of the many factors that come into play while prescribing medication. These factors might vary greatly from person to person.The doctor pointed out that even if you both take the same prescription, the other individual can be taking it at a different dose.
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You must take the exact drug that was recommended to you because many medications have similar looks and sounds, the woman said. Doctors state that a patient’s health status, medical history, and results from blood test are among the many considerations that go into writing a prescription.
Another issue is drug interactions. When customizing your prescription, your doctor should know if you take any vitamins or other medications that could mix with the medication you are prescribed, according to Perkins.
The doctor cautioned that allergies should also be taken into account because some patients have sensitivities to the ingredients in some drugs. According to Perkins, the drug is provided for a reason: it is customized for each patient based on a range of health-related variables. One expert cautioned that sharing prescription drugs is never a smart idea and that the repercussions could include overdose, serious allergic reactions, and medication interactions.
One expert cautioned that sharing prescription drugs is never a smart idea and that the repercussions could include overdose, serious allergic reactions, and medication interactions. Physician Chad Weston, M.D. of Novant Health Oceanside Family Medicine & Convenient Care Brunswick in Shallotte, N.C., concurred that it can be dangerous and have unforeseen repercussions to take a prescription prescribed to someone else, even for symptoms that seem to be identical.
She explained that this is the reason having a family doctor is crucial. Having a good rapport with your physician will help you handle such circumstances.