Even though prescription and over-the-counter medications used in the U.S. are thoroughly tested for safety, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are still common. Chances are—you, a family member, or someone you know has experienced a problem with a medication.

The reason is because prescription, non-prescription and herbal medicines are more prevalent in our lives than ever before, and everyone can react differently to the same medication. For example, if you suffer from a pre-existing condition, some medicines might interfere with that condition. Older patients might process medicines slower, and this might result in an increase in the amount of medicine in their bloodstream, causing a greater potential for an ADR.

Did you know:

• ADRs are reportedly linked to the deaths of as many as 100,000 hospitalized patients each year in the U.S.

• ADRs are the fourth to sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. each year

• As many as 4 million people in the U.S. annually experience serious, non-fatal ADRs

Source: Lazarou J., Pomeranz B.H., Corey P.N., JAMA 1998 Apr 15;279(15):1200-5

Your healthcare provider always takes care to avoid prescribing something that is known to interact with other drugs you take, or diseases for which you are being treated. However, the large number of new drugs issued every year makes it difficult for your physician to rely on memory alone to analyze potential drug and disease interactions. In addition, an ADR could arise from over-the-counter medications that you weren't taking when your doctor first prescribed your medication.

Every year, new drugs are rigorously tested for safety and efficacy, and then introduced and prescribed. But no drug can be tested to see what kind of impact it will have specifically on you.

Don’t take chances with your family’s health. Order RxWise.