Medication Safety
Your Health and Safety Matter to Us
Key Points
Medication safety helps prevent errors, interactions, and avoidable side effects.
Always take medications exactly as directed and keep an updated medication list.
Talk with your pharmacist before starting new prescriptions, OTC products, or supplements.
Proper storage, organization, and disposal of medications improves safety at home.
At Mitchell’s Drug Stores, we believe medications should help you feel better - safely and confidently. Whether you take one medication or several, our team is here to help answer questions, prevent problems, and make managing medications easier for you and your family.
Medication safety is about:
Taking medications correctly
Avoiding dangerous interactions
Using the right dose at the right time
Storing medications safely
Preventing accidental misuse
Properly disposing of old or unused medications
If you ever have questions about your medications, vitamins, supplements, or over-the-counter products, our pharmacists are happy to help.
📞 Call us anytime: 417-451-9501
How We Help With Medication Safety
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Our pharmacists can sit down with you to:
Review all of your medications
Check for interactions
Simplify medication schedules
Discuss side effects
Help improve adherence
Answer questions about costs or alternatives
These reviews are especially helpful for patients who:
Take multiple medications
Recently left the hospital
Have questions about side effects
Use several pharmacies
Feel overwhelmed by their medication routine
Click here to schedule your one on one consultation over the topic of your choice with our pharmacist!
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Every medication matters. We are happy to explain:
What your medication is for
How to take it correctly
Common side effects
Foods or medications to avoid
What to do if you miss a dose
Never hesitate to ask questions — that’s what we’re here for.
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Our pharmacists can help ensure vaccines are:
Recommended appropriately
Timed correctly
Safe with your medications and conditions
Properly documented
We can also review vaccine records and recommendations.
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Many over-the-counter medications can interact with prescriptions or health conditions.
We can help you safely choose:
Cold and flu medications
Pain relievers
Allergy medications
Sleep aids
Vitamins and supplements
Heartburn products
Children’s medications
Trusted Medication Safety Resources
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Official FDA medication package inserts and prescribing information.
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Learn how to safely dispose of unused or expired medication
Find local take-back locations and disposal events.
FDA recommendations for disposal and flush lists.
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Resources focused on medication safety for children, parents, and caregivers.
Medication safety tips for families and poison prevention guidance.
24/7 poison emergency support and prevention information.
📞 Call: 1-800-222-1222
Helpful safety guidance for caregivers and medication administration.
Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for specific guidance. In an emergency, call 911.
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One of the simplest ways to stay on track with your medications is by using the iPhone Health app. You can manually add your medications, set up dosing schedules, and turn on reminder alerts so your phone notifies you when it’s time to take each dose. This helps reduce missed doses and keeps your medication routine organized.
Apple Health (iPhone Medication Feature)
With the Apple Health app, you can:
Add all prescription and over-the-counter medications
Set exact dose times and frequencies
Receive automatic reminder alerts
Track when doses are taken or missed
Review your medication list anytime in one place
Medication Safety Tips
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Always keep a current list of:
Prescription medications
Over-the-counter products
Vitamins
Herbal supplements
Allergies
Bring this list to:
Doctor appointments
Specialist visits
Hospital stays
Pharmacy visits
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Follow label instructions carefully
Do not stop medications early unless instructed
Do not double doses if you miss one unless directed
Use proper measuring devices for liquids
If instructions are confusing, ask your pharmacist.
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Using one pharmacy helps pharmacists:
Catch drug interactions
Monitor duplicate therapies
Maintain accurate medication records
Better coordinate your care
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“Natural” does not always mean safe.
Some supplements can:
Interact with prescriptions
Affect blood pressure
Increase bleeding risk
Change blood sugar levels
Always let your pharmacist know what supplements you take.
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Expired medications may:
Lose effectiveness
Become unsafe
Cause dosing issues
Regularly clean out medication cabinets and safely dispose of unused medications.
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Keep medications away from heat and moisture
Avoid storing medications in bathrooms when possible
Keep medications in original containers
Store medications out of reach of children and pets
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A medication that is safe for one person may be dangerous for another.
Medication Safety for Children
Important Child Safety Tips
Use child-resistant caps
Store medications up high and out of sight
Never call medicine “candy”
Double-check doses carefully
Use proper measuring syringes or cups
Poison Help
If a child accidentally takes medication or too much medication:
☎️ Call Poison Help immediately: 1-800-222-1222
Available 24/7 across the United States.
Common Medication Safety Risks
Taking Multiple Medications
The more medications a person takes, the higher the chance for:
Drug interactions
Duplicate medications
Side effects
Confusion with schedules
Ask us about a medication review if you take several medications daily.
Mixing Medications With Alcohol
Alcohol can interact with many medications and increase risks such as:
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Liver damage
Breathing problems
Always check with your pharmacist before drinking alcohol while taking medications.
Using Old Antibiotics
Never save antibiotics for later use.
This can:
Lead to improper treatment
Increase antibiotic resistance
Delay proper medical care
Always finish antibiotics exactly as prescribed unless directed otherwise by your provider.
Medication Mix-Ups
Medication errors can happen when:
Bottles look similar
Medications are stored together
Labels are not read carefully
Helpful tips:
Read labels every time
Use pill organizers carefully
Keep medications organized
Separate pet medications from human medications
Safe Medication Disposal
Why Proper Disposal Matters
Proper disposal helps prevent:
Accidental poisoning
Medication misuse
Environmental contamination
Best Disposal Methods
Drug Take-Back Programs
Drug take-back locations are one of the safest disposal options.
You can also check local law enforcement agencies or community take-back events.
At-Home Disposal Tips
If no take-back option is available:
Remove personal information from labels
Mix medications with coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter
Place in a sealed container or bag
Throw away in household trash
Do not crush tablets unless instructed.
Medications That May Be Flushed
Some medications have special disposal instructions due to safety risks.
Check FDA guidance before flushing medications.
Medication Safety Checklist
Quick Home Medication Safety Check
Ask Yourself:
✅ Do I know what each medication is for?
✅ Do I take medications exactly as directed?
✅ Are my medications stored safely?
✅ Do I use one pharmacy when possible?
✅ Do I have expired medications at home?
✅ Do I have an updated medication list?
✅ Do I understand possible side effects?
✅ Have I checked for interactions with supplements?
✅ Are medications kept away from children and pets?
If you answered “no” to any of these, we would be happy to help.
