Whether it's a drug prescribed by a doctor or just a bottle of
acetaminophen, medicines require some special care. The United
States Food and Drug Administration and the American
Pharmaceutical Association provide some tips for safely using
and storing medicines. And remember, these rules apply to
nonprescription drugs, such as ibuprofen and cold medicine, as
well as prescription drugs. Even vitamins (especially those
containing iron) can be very dangerous if inadvertently taken in
excess—most commonly by young children. If a medicine is in your
house, know what it is for. Whether the doctor prescribed it or
it's just an over-the-counter drug, if you don't know what it's
for, find out. Read the label and if you don't understand
anything you read, take the bottle to the pharmacy and ask the
pharmacist. Here's what you need to know about any drug you
take: - The name - What it is for - When to take it - How much
to take - When to stop taking it - Any special instructions for
taking it (for example, with food, w