The development of powerful narcotic painkillers is one of the most significant advancements in the history of medicine. But the United States is currently facing an epidemic of drug injuries caused by painkiller overdoses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report there were 41,502 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2012. Of those fatalities, 16,007 were the result of misuse and abuse of opioid analgesics.
These numbers have many citizens who use painkiller medications questioning what they can do to prevent drug injuries. The drug injury attorneys with Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel suggest taking the following steps to avoid unintentional overdoses:
- Get Educated– Ask your doctor and pharmacist any questions you may have pertaining to medications you’re about to take.
- Always Follow Instructions– Only take a medication as it has been prescribed. Also, keep the drug in the container it was dispensed in so no dosage issues arise.
- Avoid Drug Interactions– Make sure other products you consume—such as over-the-counter medications or alcohol—will not cause injury when combined with the medications you’re taking.
- Seek Treatment Immediately– If you begin to feel like you cannot properly function without taking a medication, you should speak with your doctor about the options available to you. The National Safety Council also provides a hotline if you suspect a loved one may be at risk of harming themselves with painkiller medications.
We hope these tips will help to keep you safe. But if you or a loved one is injured as the result of a drug injury while taking a painkiller, we may be able to help. You can get in touch with our legal team by calling (888) 485-8844 today.