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Advise teens: Sharing prescriptions is dangerous Twenty percent of teenage girls and 13% of teenage boys reported they have borrowed or shared prescription medications with friends and family, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While these teens may have had good intentions, their behavior is of concern because of the dangers of ingesting prescription medicines meant for others. Generally, teens noted that they shared medications because they already had a prescription for the drug, but ran out or didn't have it with them, or they took the medication because they thought they had the "same problem" as the person who offered the medicine. The typical adolescent receives between two and three prescriptions a year. Those who share prescriptions put themselves at risk of negative interactions and side effects. Of particular concern are acne drugs, which can be dangerous for those who are pregnant. In the survey, 10.5% of girls who said they shared acne drugs did so because they had "pimples or oily skin." Other potential hazards of sharing prescription drugs include:
Often, advertising can mislead consumers about particular medications and conditions and can give them a false sense of security about the safety and necessity of the advertised drugs. Parents should be sure to stress the importance of safe prescription medication use to their teens. Before allowing a student to carry his or her own medication in school, parents and physicians should determine whether the student is capable of self-administration and responsible behavior, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). For the safety of all students, the AAP recommends that schools develop a system of accountability for students who carry and self-administer their medications. -Kari Bachmeier |