Medicines cure infectious diseases, prevent problems from chronic diseases, and ease pain. But medicines can also cause harmful reactions if not used correctly. Errors can happen in the hospital, at the doctor’s office, at the pharmacy, or at home. You can help prevent errors by

  • Knowing your medicines. Keep a list of the names of your medicines, how much you take, and when you take them. Include over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements and herbs. Take this list to all your doctor visits.
  • Reading medicine labels and following the directions. Don’t take medications prescribed for someone else.
  • Taking extra caution when giving medicines to children.
  • Asking questions. If you don’t know the answers to these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
    • Why am I taking this medicine?
    • What are the common problems to watch out for?
    • What should I do if they occur?
    • When should I stop this medicine?
    • Can I take this medicine with the other medicines on my list?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Vitamins are substances that your body needs to grow and develop normally. There are 13 vitamins your body needs. They are

You can usually get all your vitamins from the foods you eat. Your body can also make vitamins D and K. People who eat a vegetarian diet may need to take a vitamin B12 supplement.

Each vitamin has specific jobs. If you have low levels of certain vitamins, you may get health problems. For example, if you don’t get enough vitamin C, you could become anemic. Some vitamins may help prevent medical problems. Vitamin A prevents night blindness.

The best way to get enough vitamins is to eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods. In some cases, you may need to take vitamin supplements. It’s a good idea to ask your health care provider first. High doses of some vitamins can cause problems.

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