Medications major cause of calls to Regional Poison Center

Medication is a modern miracle, but most of us don't really understand how drugs work -- or more importantly, how different types of drugs may work together.

Darcey Hanson of the Red Willow County Health Department pointed out that medications account for more than half of the calls to the Nebraska Regional Poison Center in Omaha, and in 2010, the NRPC received more than 40,000 calls.

During this week, Poison Prevention Week, the NRPC noted that poisoning has surpassed falls in becoming the nation's second-leading cause of unintentional death -- and in some states, it's the number one cause.

Most of us still believe that children are at greatest risk of poisoning deaths, when actually, 96 percent of poisoning deaths occur in adults. Drug-related poisonings are often due to misuse or overdose of opioid analgesics used to treat pain. These medications include hydrocodone, oxycodone and methadone.

The NRPC offers the following tips for adults:

* Keep a list of all medications that you take and share those with your doctor or pharmacist. Some meds will dangerously interact with others, and it is important that your doctor knows all of the medications you are taking. Stick with one pharmacy to make avoiding drug interactions easier.

* Learn the names of your medications, as well as their dosage strength and schedules.

* Ask if you should avoid certain foods, medications or other activities while you are taking a drug.

* Question anything that you don't understand or doesn't seem right. Be alert to changes in the appearance of the medications when having them refilled.

* If you are to ill to follow these suggestions, ask for help.

* Never take medicine in the dark. Always read the label before taking medications.

* Understand that many medications contain a combination of several drugs. Read the label to make sure you aren't double-dosing yourself with additional medications, especially nonprescription drugs.

For children:

* Store all medications up and out of reach and sight of children.

* Don't take medications in front of children. Kids imitate adults.

* Don't refer to medicine as candy.

* Give the right dose. It's important to give your child the amount on the label for the child's age and weight. Use the dropper or cup that comes with the medicine and store it with the medicine for the next time. Kitchen spoons are not accurate!

* Children come in a variety of sizes. Basing a dose on age can result in giving too much or too little of a medicine.

* Never give a child a medicine for adults. Read the label carefully!

* If you have house guests, make sure that they store their medications safely and they aren't left in suitcases or nightstands.

More information is available by contacting the Nebraska Regional Poison Center, (800) 222-1222.