— Look in the bag: Before you leave the pharmacy counter, take a look at the label the pharmacy has put on your medication. Is your name spelled correctly? Is your doctor's name correct? If not, you might have someone else's prescription. Make sure the right drug and dosage are on the label.
— Talk to the pharmacist: Experts say many mistakes are caught when patients talk with the licensed pharmacist on duty — not a technician — about the drug they're picking up. Tell the pharmacist what you're taking the drug for. Tell the pharmacist about other medications you're taking and any medical conditions. Ask how the drug should be taken and about potential side effects.
— Be wary: If pills you've been taking are a different color or shape, ask questions.
— Get more information: The Institute for Safe Medication Practices has more useful tips at www.consumermedsafety.org. To get updates about new safety alerts for the medications you take, go to www.consumermedsafety.org/medsafetyalert.asp
Alison Young writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. E-mail: ayoung(at)ajc.com.