The following are basic guidelines for taking prescription and non-prescription medications:
1) Use medications only if non-drug approaches are not working.
2) Know the benefits and side effects of a medication before taking it.
3) Take the minimum effective dose.
4) Never take a drug prescribed for someone else.
5) Follow the prescription instructions exactly or let your doctors know why you didn't.
6) Keep medications tightly capped in their original containers, and store them as directed.
7) Do not take medications in front of small children. Children are great mimics. Don't oversell the "candy" taste of children's vitamins accessible to children.
8) Add a consumer's guide to medications to your home health library.
I had never thought about number 7! That is a great point!