By Sue Danielson, health services

Medication Use and Disposal

October is Talk About Prescriptions Month. There are over 700,000 emergency room visits each year from incorrect medication use. The cost associated with this is $3.5 billion. People who take medication, whether prescription or nonprescription, need to know about their medications in order to avoid serious problems that can occur by using them in an unsafe way. 

Drug safety is not just about doctors choosing the right medication for their patients or a pharmacy filling a prescription without mistakes. People often take too much of a dose or too many doses per day without even realizing it. Be proactive in asking questions of your health care provider, especially if the medication is new to you. 

Questions to ask your health care provider or pharmacist:

1. What’s the brand and/or generic name of the medicine, and what specifically is it for?
2. How and when do I take it, and for how long?
3. What side effects should I expect, and what should I do about them?
4. Should I take this medicine on an empty stomach or with food?
5. Should I avoid any activities, foods, drinks, alcohol, or other medicines while taking this prescription?
6. If it’s a once-a-day dose, is it best to take it in the morning or evening?
7. Will this medicine work safely with any other medications or supplements I’m taking, including over-the-counter medications?
8. When should I expect the medicine to begin to work, and how will I know if it’s working?
9. How should I store this medicine – room temperature, or in the refrigerator?

Remember the three R’s when starting a new medication:

Risk: Understand that all medications have both risks and benefits.

Respect: Medications have a powerful effect on the body and can provide a great value when used correctly.

Responsibility: Take responsibility for learning about the medications you take and how to use.

Medication disposal must be done regularly so that others do not have access to your prescriptions. There are many disposal options for Viterbo students and employees. The closest option for students is Walgreens at 900 West Ave. S. They have recently put a medication drop box near their pharmacy. The local police departments in La Crosse and the surrounding communities also have drop boxes available. Contact Sue Danielson, health services at ext. 3806 or scdanielson@viterbo.edu with any questions.