Articles from Safe Medicine

The articles in this section present important information about protecting consumers. They discuss medication errors that patients, doctors, pharmacists, and nurses have voluntarily reported to us.

Whenever we receive an error report, we analyze the error's root causes and contributing factors. Then we use this data to determine what steps could have been taken to prevent it. Ultimately, our staff and reviewers develop written recommendations to help you protect yourself from errors and become a more informed and empowered consumer.

	Over-the-Counter Pain Medicine Warnings
	FDA issued a ruling that requires manufacturers of over- the-counter pain relievers to include warnings of health risks on their labels. The recent ruling requires the makers of Tylenol, Motrin, Advil and Aleve to include more specific, st...
	Poisonous Plants
	Plants are a common cause of poisoning. Both indoor and outdoor plants can be poisonous. Some plants can cause a skin rash, others can cause an upset stomach if ingested and still others can cause more serious problems by harming your hea...
	Poisonous Holiday Plants
	Although holiday plants can be very festive, some of them can also be very toxic. A plant is considered toxic if it causes chemical injury when touched or swallowed. Plants produce toxic substances, by-products of the essential functions of...
	Don’t let food leftovers make you sick
	Food poisoning occurs when bacteria enter the body through contaminated food and cause you to become ill. It usually results from improper hand washing or when foods are not prepared or served properly. Be sure to keep all utensils and cutt...
	Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer.
	Carbon monoxide (CO) is often referred to as the silent killer. It is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is produced as a by-product from the incomplete burning of carbon containing fuels. This includes wood, oil, natural gas, ker...