Everyone has a role in helping prevent medication errors. Below are some things you can do as a consumer to help safeguard your health:

1. Keep a list of all medications you are taking, including their dosages and strengths. Remember to include over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal supplements. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist. Take this list with you if you are hospitalized or treated in an emergency room.
2. When your doctor writes you a new prescription, make sure you:
• Know the exact spelling and purpose of the drug. Write it down yourself, and ask your doctor to verify the information.
• Understand when you can expect to see improvement in your symptoms or condition.
• Understand any potential side effects of the medication and what to do if they occur.
• Know how and when to take the medication. For example, if the doctor says "three times a day," does this mean once every eight hours, or does it mean at mealtimes?
• Know how long you should take the medication.
• Know what to do if you forget a dose.
• Ask your pharmacist the same questions. Pharmacists are medication specialists and may be aware of additional side effects or drug interactions.
3. When given your new prescription, compare the label to what you wrote down at the doctor's office to make sure they're the same.
4. Follow your doctor's instructions for using the medication. For example, don't stop taking your medication just because you're feeling better unless your doctor tells you to stop.

5. Read all the information your doctor or pharmacist gives you about the medication. You also may want to refer to Aetna’s on-line health information affiliate Aetna InteliHealth^SM, at www.intelihealth.com for additional information.
6. Some medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure, may have uncomfortable side effects. Understand that this might be a minor inconvenience as the medication works on the more severe, underlying problem. But don't hesitate to call your doctor if you're not feeling well.

7. Never share your prescription medications or take medications prescribed for someone else.

8. Check the expiration dates on all your medications and throw away those that have expired. Many medications lose their potency over time and may become unsafe if used beyond the expiration date.

9. Check the prescription label for any specific instructions on storing your medications. Most drugs should be stored in a cool (room temperature), dry cabinet. Other drugs require refrigeration. Don't store your medications in exposed sunlight as some drugs deteriorate more rapidly when exposed to heat or humidity.

10. Keep all medications out of the reach of children, and have the phone number of your local poison control center readily available.