MAMA - Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse

medical, Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse, drug education, drug policy, war on drugs, seniors, legal, illegal, health,

Drugs and Seniors

MAMA has a publication and a computer-generated, animated slide show presentation called "Drug Consumer Safety." They expand on the following guidelines to reduce the harm from side effects and adverse reactions.

In order to make a responsible decision about drugs, one must first determine what chemical is being considered. Once that is known, one can evaluate the benefit versus the risk of taking the drug and, if it is administered, what to look for to identify any problems.

[In One Year In America]

Tobacco use causes over 400,000 deaths.

Alcohol use causes over 135,000 deaths.

Prescription drug misuse kills
between 119,000 and 199,000 people,
and costs an estimated $75.6 billion.

Twenty-eight percent of all
hospitalized patients
(8.8 million hospitalizations per year)
experience an adverse drug reaction.

The fastest-growing segment of
population in the United States are
those over the age of 65.

There are currently more then 100,000 brand-name prescription drugs and 300,000 over-the-counter brand names available in drug stores. Use of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine products is extensive.

Many of these products are extensively marketed to medical professionals and the public. Prescription drugs, once advertised only to doctors and pharmacists, are now aggressively promoted to the general public. Retail drugs sold over the counter are advertised in the electronic and print media. Recreational drug advertisements for alcohol, nicotine and caffeine are widespread and until recently, governmental subsidies encouraged production of tobacco for public consumption. Seniors, due to declining health and physiology, may be more susceptible to side effects and adverse reactions.

MAMA OFFERS SOME SAFETY TIPS
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES:

DO tell your doctors about all the medicines you are taking and any allergies or sensitivities you may have to any drug.
DO be sure to understand all instructions before starting to use a drug, including when to take it, with what, how long to continue, and what to do if problems occur.
DO make sure you take medicines when you're supposed to. If you are taking several drugs you many need a system for keeping track.
DO call your doctor if you notice any new symptoms or side-effects.
DO keep drugs in airtight containers and store them properly.
DO keep a permanent record of all drugs and vaccines you're sensitive or allergic to.
DON'T take more, or less, then the prescribed amount of any drug.
DON'T stop taking a drug suddenly without checking with your doctor, even if you feel better.
DON'T mix alcohol and medication unless your doctor approves. Although not all drugs react adversely with alcohol, many do.
DON'T take drugs prescribed for someone else, or give yours to someone else.
DON'T transfer a drug from it's original bottle to another.
DON'T keep old or expired medicines in your medicine cabinet.

The drug technology that
contributes to longer lifespans
must be used carefully to
prevent harm from the
medications themselves.

Drug Consumer Safety Guidelines:

Identify the name of the chemical.

Consider where it works in the body.

Understand the correct dosage.

Know what drug interactions will occur.

Know if allergic reactions can occur.

Determine if it can produce tolerance.

Determine if it can produce dependence.

[ Back to Top ]