Reduce Risk of Medication Errors

green pills pouring into palm of hand

from the Beacon, by Mayo Clinic Staff

Dear Mayo Clinic: My friend’s father recently died from a medication error. One of his prescriptions was filled incorrectly and caused a fatal reaction.

I take multiple medications for various conditions. How can I reduce my risk for a medication error?

A: Medication errors refer to mistakes in prescribing and dispensing medications. These errors injure hundreds of thousands of people every year in the U.S.

Common causes of medication errors include drug names that sound alike, medications that look alike, and medical abbreviations. Most medication errors can be prevented. Knowledge is your best defense against medication errors.

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