The following are basic guidelines for taking prescription and nonprescription medicines:

• Use medicines only if nondrug approaches are not working.
• Know the benefits and side effects of a medicine before taking it.
• Take the minimum effective dose.
• Never take a drug prescribed for someone else.
• Follow the prescription instructions exactly or let your doctor know why you didn't.
• Keep medicines tightly capped in their original containers, and store them as directed.
• Don't take medicines in front of small children. Children are great mimics. Don't oversell the "candy" taste of children's medicines or leave children's vitamins within their reach.
• Ask your doctor what medicines may not be safe to give your child.
• Add a consumer's guide to medicines to your home health library.