Medication Safety
Stay Informed and Practice Medication Safety
Unapproved Emergency Birth Control Warning
Be cautious of unapproved emergency birth control medications possibly in U.S. distribution. These products may be ineffective and unsafe.
Using Antibiotics Wisely
Antibiotics are valuable medications that effectively treat bacterial infections. However, their misuse can lead to antibiotic resistance, making infections harder to treat. Here's what you need to know:
- Bacterial vs. Viral Infections: Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections like strep throat but have no effect on viral infections such as colds and the flu.
- Antibiotic Resistance: Misusing antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance, where bacteria evolve to resist the effects of antibiotics.
- Consequences of Antibiotic Resistance: Resistant bacteria, or "superbugs," are difficult and costly to treat and may cause incurable infections.
What You Can Do
- Avoid Unnecessary Antibiotics: Don't insist on antibiotics for viral illnesses like colds or the flu.
- Complete the Course: Take prescribed antibiotics for the full treatment duration, even if symptoms improve.
- Follow Healthcare Professional Guidance: Only take antibiotics under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
- Avoid Shared Antibiotics: Don't use shared or leftover antibiotics to treat an illness.
By practicing medication safety, we can help prevent antibiotic resistance and ensure effective treatment of bacterial infections.