ConsumerMedSafety.org Home Brought to you by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices
Help Prevent
Medication Errors
ConsumerMedSafety.org is brought to you by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)—the nation's only nonprofit organization of pharmacists, nurses, and doctors devoted entirely to safe medication practices. Preventing medication errors is no longer just a responsibility for health professionals—consumers like you can also play a vital role.
Save a Life!
Get Customized Safety Alerts for Your Medications
Click here
to receive free, customized alerts to keep you and your loved ones informed about safety issues affecting the medications you take
LEARN MORE
ISMP Consumer Newsletter, Safe Medicine
Safe Medicine teaches consumers how to become active partners with their healthcare practitioners and take a leading role in preventing medication errors.
LEARN MORE
About ISMP
ISMP is known and respected worldwide as the premier source for impartial, timely, and accurate medication safety information.
READ MORE
Show Your Support
As an independent watchdog organization, ISMP depends entirely on charitable donations, educational grants, newsletter subscriptions, and volunteer efforts to pursue its lifesaving work.
READ MORE
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
 

This website does not host any form of advertisements

 
 Site contents last updated 5/17/2012
   
  Fewer school nurses leads to greater medication errors
A disturbing trend is occurring in some communities across the US: the “de-nursifying” of schools. As school districts grapple with tight budgets, many nurses have been laid off, and those that remain have been asked to cover multiple schools within the district.
   
  READ MORE

  A Reminder from FDA: HCG Diet Products Are Illegal
Many people make resolutions to become healthier by eating right and exercising more. Most of the time people focus more on losing weight. That is good as long as it is done over time. Unfortunately, many people look for a “quick fix” to shed pounds rapidly. So, they turn to diet fads and over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss aids. Many of these diets and products are potentially dangerous, and some diet products are illegal.
   
  READ MORE

  Reported mix-ups between Ranexa, Prenexa and Pradaxa
Watch out for dispensing mix-ups if you are taking any of the following medications: Ranexa, Prenexa and Pradaxa.  These drugs are all prescribed for different reasons although their names can look and/or sound very much alike.
   
  READ MORE

  Common nausea drug can cause serious movement disorder
A commonly used drug for stomach disorders can cause irreversible neurological damage in the brain, but many doctors seem to be disregarding these problems—challenging the concept that a drug’s benefits must outweigh its risks.
   
  READ MORE

  Parents need to replace child-resistant caps after using an oral syringe and adapter
Measuring the correct dose of liquid medicine for children can be difficult. Today, many prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines come with oral syringes. These devices help parents measure the correct dose of medicine. But we recently learned about a problem using an oral syringe with bottle adapters.
   
  READ MORE

  MORE ALERTS
   Do not feed SimplyThick to premature infants
 Errors can happen with pharmacy’s automatic refill service
 Primatene Mist no longer available after December 31, 2011
 Is it safe to crush pills to make them easier to swallow?
 Latest review of FDA safety reports shows wide use of Pradaxa
Browse alerts...

 Parents Can Help Prevent Problem Drinking in College Kids
 Herbal Derivative Wins Praise as Malaria Treatment
 Combating Myths About Seasonal Allergies
 Device Approved to Continue Blood Flow During Brain Surgery
 Sexual Side Effects From Propecia, Avodart May Be Irreversible
 New Drug May Trim Insulin Injections to Just 3 a Week
 Home Genetic Tests May Need Doctor's Involvement: Report

Safe Medicine Articles view recent articles >
How medicines in creams, ointments and sprays can harm you  

Creams, ointments, gels, sprays, lotions and patches are medicines that will enter your body by penetrating through the skin and entering the bloodstream. They can cause side effects if you use too much of the medicine.

READ MORE
Computer-generated prescriptions require patient's check  
Electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) is becoming an increasingly popular way for doctors to prescribe medicines for their patients. This method involves using a special computer program. Using a handheld device or computer terminal, the doctor selects...
READ MORE
 
TOOLS & RESOURCES
 
Commonly Confused Drug Names
Get Drug Information
Identify your medication
Drug Interactions
Helpful Resources
Patient Safety Websites
Medication Administration and Guidelines
RSS Feeds
Report
Medication Errors
Report your medication error or safety concern online. Be sure to include all requested information.
REPORT NOW
Get Your 60 Second Medication Check
Check your medications for potential side effects, treatment duplication and drug interactions.
Go
 
Consumer Health Information
Consumer & Patient Information