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Keeping
Medicines Safe
Millions of people take OTC (over the counter)
medicines to treat minor ailments every year,
particularly during the winter months. To take
medicines safely and effectively we know we should
always read and follow the instructions in the
pack or on the bottle. But our safety precautions
should not end there; everyone needs to be aware
of the importance of storing medicines safely,
particularly where children are concerned. This
is a message supported by both CHIC and the Royal
Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
Fortunately very few accidents involving medicines
actually result in any harm to a child yet many
children each year are taken to hospital by worried
parents. This is a traumatic experience for both
parent and child and any more serious incidents
could be avoided if medicines were kept safely
and securely.
CHIC's
Seven Golden Safety Rules
Here are CHIC's seven golden safety rules. These
should apply to anyone who might have a child
visiting them as a significant proportion of accidents
with medicine happen outside the home e.g. with
grandparents or friends. Be especially alert with
children of between one and two years old as this
is the commonest age for such accidents to occur.
1. Keep all medicines both out of the
reach and out of the sight of children. Just putting
a bottle away on a high shelf won't be enough.
A determined and mobile child can easily use a
chair or stool to get to something they can see
but can't reach.
2. Put all medicines in a cupboard with
a child-resistant lock or catch and preferably
in a room where an adult can regularly keep an
eye on them e.g. the kitchen. Always read storage
instructions carefully and remember that you don't
need to use the fridge unless this is specifically
stated. Most medicines should certainly be kept
somewhere that protects them from heat or humidity
but a cool, dark, child-resistant cupboard is
far safer.
3. Don't rely on apparently child-resistant
packaging as your main line of defence. Children
learn very fast and since such packaging is now
being used on some common items found in the home,
it is just possible that a child could work out
how to open such a product either from watching
you or the rest of the family. Don't take the
risk.
4. Avoid taking a medicine in front of
a child. Children do tend to imitate adults and
if they see you taking a medicine they will not
realise that this is not something they ought
to do themselves. They may also see how you open
the bottle or pack.
5. Don't leave a child unattended in a
room where there are medicines. This may sound
so obvious that it shouldn't need saying. However,
it is easy to forget that people may keep tablets
such as painkillers in handbags or jacket pockets
or in the drawer of a bedside cabinet. If you
are visiting a house with young children, check
your handbag before you go; don't take any more
medicines with you than you are likely to need
and be sure not to leave your bag unattended at
any time.
6. Keep all medicines in their original
container.
7. Never keep medicines past their use-by
or sell-by date. Regularly check the dates of
the items in your home 'medicine chest' and dispose
safely of any items that have gone past their
final date by taking them to your local pharmacy.
Many people benefit from using OTC medicines
to safely treat themselves. Make sure no-one comes
to unnecessary harm by always keeping all medicines
safe and secure.
Using
OTC Medicines with Prescription Medicines
Dr Paul Stillman, an advisor for the Consumer
Health Information Centre says "Over-the-counter
medicines are extremely effective for many common
problems. Most are safe to take with those prescribed
by your doctor but it is always important to check
this and to ensure you receive the maximum benefit
from every medicine you take."
OTC (over-the-counter) medicines are medicines
that you can buy from pharmacies, supermarkets,
etc. without needing a prescription from your
doctor. They are all approved by the Government
as safe to use without medical supervision. But
they are still medicines and can sometimes cause
harm if they are not used properly. There could
sometimes be problems when people who are already
taking medicines prescribed by their doctor want
to use an OTC medicine as well. Usually it is
perfectly safe to do this, but there are a few
rules that you should follow to make sure that
you stay 100 per cent safe all the time. If you
use this checklist you can't go wrong.
- When buying an OTC medicine in a pharmacy
always tell the pharmacist or assistant if you
are taking any prescribed medicines.
- If you are taking medicines for any long-term
condition, such as high blood pressure or heart
problems, diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid problems,
etc, there are some OTC medicines that you should
not use. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist
before buying an OTC medicine to make sure that
it is alright for you to use it.
- If you are taking medicines for any long-term
condition always read the label on the OTC medicine
or leaflet in the pack, and it will tell you
if you should not be taking the medicine with
your condition.
- Always read the label on the OTC medicine
or leaflet in the pack to check that it is alright
to take it with your prescribed medicine(s).
Some medicines react with each other ('interact')
if taken together and can cause problems.
- Always read the label on the OTC medicine
or leaflet in the pack to make sure that the
ingredient(s) are not the same as prescribed
medicines you are already taking. People sometimes
take the same ingredient in two medicines without
realising. Medicine strengths and doses are
carefully worked out to make sure that you get
the full benefit without any harmful effects,
and taking more than you should would not increase
its effectiveness but could cause problems.
- Always check the names of the ingredient(s)
of the OTC medicine on the label or leaflet
in the pack. Brand names (e.g. Anadin, Benylin)
are not ingredient names, and you need to know
the ingredient name to check that it is alright
for you to take the medicine.
- If you are in any doubt at all about whether
you should be taking an OTC medicine, check
with a pharmacist. You can go into any pharmacy
and talk to a pharmacist without appointment
and usually straightaway.
OTC
Medicines and Pregnancy
Like everyone else, pregnant women will suffer
from the normal health problems; headache, cough
and cold, upset stomach or hayfever. Many women
prefer to avoid taking any medicines during their
pregnancy, however this could cause unnecessary
discomfort which can be avoided. Pregnant women
should ensure they check with their GP or pharmacist
before taking any over-the-counter (OTC) medicines
that you can buy from your pharmacy or a supermarket
and always read the label and instructions before
taking medication.
There is a range of common illnesses that can
affect women over the course of their pregnancy,
and it doesn't have to mean misery and discomfort:
- Morning sickness
There are no OTC medicines that are licensed
specifically for the treatment of morning sickness.
If you have mild nausea, eating small and frequent
meals high in carbohydrates and low in fat can
help to maintain blood sugar levels. Ginger
or peppermint tea can also be of help.
- Coughs and colds
For a sore throat or dry cough, there are
a number of non-medicated pastilles with honey,
boiled sweets or non-medicated drinks that can
help. Simple linctus can also be used for its
short-term soothing effect.
- For congestion, steam inhalations with oil-based
decongestants should provide some relief as
they will liquefy mucus that may have been caused
by a chesty cough.
- Headaches
Paracetamol is generally regarded as being safe
for use in pregnancy and it is the best treatment
for headaches. You can also try a gentle forehead
massage. Many women actually find that migraines
improve during pregnancy.
- Heartburn or indigestion
Antacid preparations are licensed for OTC use
in pregnancy. The most preferred types are calcium
carbonate, with the most neutralising effect,
or a combination of aluminium and magnesium
salts which are fairly insoluble and will remain
in the stomach for longer.
- Constipation
If you feel constipated, as a first treatment
you should make sure you drink more fluids and
increase the level of fibre in your diet. If
constipation persists, you can try bulk-forming
laxatives such as ispaghula husk or lactulose.
If these do not work, you can try a dose of
senna, the stimulant laxative. If you are in
the later stages of pregnancy, you should avoid
using senna as, theoretically, it could cause
uterine contractions.
- Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids, or piles, can be treated by a
cream or ointment in mild cases. You can apply
an ice pack or topical bland astringent preparation
if necessary.
- Thrush
If you develop thrush while pregnant you will
have to visit your GP as a pharmacist can not
sell antifungal treatments to pregnant women.
- Backache
Treatment for backache is predominantly paracetamol.
To try and minimise backache developing do not
sit or stand in the same position for too long,
wear flat shoes, rest when pain is severe, support
the back with a pillow when seated and if picking
up something take the strain on your legs rather
than your back. A warm bath and gentle stretching
exercises should help tight muscles.
- Leg cramps
Avoiding high-heeled shoes can help reduce the
risks of leg cramps and varicose veins developing.
As can having a pillow at the end of your bed
to stop your feet stretching forward. During
a cramp, massaging and stretching the muscle
can provide some relief.
- Nicotine cravings
If you smoke you should try to stop - particularly
if you are pregnant. Nicotine replacement therapy
can help you to do this prior to pregnancy.
Seek advice from your GP if you are pregnant
and need support with giving up smoking.
- Folic acid
Taking folic acid supplements early in pregnancy
while the neural tube is forming can reduce
the chance of having a baby with a neural tube
defect, such as spina bifida. Women are advised
to take folic acid supplements containing 400mcg
of folic acid each day before conceiving and
up to the 12th week of pregnancy. Eating a diet
rich in fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals,
some breads and folate rich foods, can also
help.
How to get advice:
If you need advice on taking over-the-counter
medicines, speak to a pharmacist or call The CHIC's
Over-The-Counter Medicines Advice Line on 0208
742 7042. It is manned by trained nurses.
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