HEALTH

Medication Safety: The dos and don'ts of prescription drugs

Timothy Velasquez, 67, is like a lot of people -- rarely, if ever, did he extensively question the details of his prescription drugs. If questions were few to his doctor, they were even less to his pharmacist. "I trusted those guys," he said. "They put [the drugs] in a bag and I walked out." More »

Easy access belies over-the-counter drugs' health risks

Stephanie Andrews learned her lesson the hard way. Like most people, the 36-year-old mother of two, who asked that her real name not be used, underestimated the potency and impact of the over-the-counter (OTC) drugs she was taking to relieve her abdominal cramps. More »

Medicine: A lifeline -- when used correctly

Whether you have a chronic health issue like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure or a curable illness like the flu or pneumonia, medicine prescribed by your doctor can be a lifeline. When taken properly, medications can help you live a longer, healthier life. The tips below will help you gain the greatest benefit from the medicines you need, while helping to stretch your health care dollars. More »

Before you leave the drug store, get the facts.

Read the drug label to make sure the prescription is yours and matches the one written by your provider. More »

Ask questions.

You're the one who suffers the consequences if you don't. More »

A double take

There are checks and balances to prevent prescription errors, but slip ups can occur. Take a second look to make sure you get the right medicine. More »