Adults and Older Adult Adverse Drug Events

woman at pharmacy getting a prescription

Medicines cure infectious diseases, prevent problems from chronic diseases, and alleviate pain and suffering for millions of Americans every day. But medicines can also cause harm. When someone has been harmed by a medicine, they have had an adverse drug event. To reduce the risk of harm from adverse drug events adults should:

Keep a list of your medicines
Follow directions
Ask questions
Keep up with any blood testing recommended by your doctor

For More Information

For Safe Use of Oral Anticoagulants , SOS Rx
Unintentional Drug Poisoning in the United States [PDF - 4 pages], CDC
Emergency Department Visits Involving Nonmedical Use of Selected Prescription Drugs—United States, 2004–2008 , CDC
Tips to Prevent Poisonings , CDC
Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work , CDC

Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: http://www.cdc.gov/MedicationSafety/Adult_AdverseDrugEvents.html
Source Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Captured Date: 2016-05-23 22:08:43.0