Mental Health Medication Safety

Everyday medicine safety

• Take the exact medicine and dose on the label at the planned time
• Keep an up-to-date list of prescriptions, non-prescription medicines, vitamins, herbal products and supplements
• Use one regular pharmacy when possible and check before combining medicines
• Do not share medicines, double a missed dose, or use another person’s prescription
• Store medicines away from children, excess heat and moisture; return expired medicines safely

Monitoring and side effects

Ask what benefit to expect, how long it may take, common side effects, warning signs and what monitoring is needed. Some medicines require weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, heart, kidney, liver, thyroid or blood-level checks.

• Record new symptoms and when they began
• Report troublesome side effects rather than stopping on your own
• Attend planned blood tests and follow-up
• Avoid alcohol and non-prescribed drugs; ask before driving or operating machinery

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and other illness

Tell the prescriber promptly if pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding. Also report kidney, liver, heart, seizure or diabetes history. Do not stop treatment suddenly; the clinician should balance the risks of medicine and untreated illness.

Get urgent help

Call 112 or go to emergency care for suspected overdose, collapse, seizure, severe breathing difficulty, swelling of the face or throat, a severe rash, or high fever with marked stiffness and confusion. Seek urgent professional advice for new suicidal thoughts, extreme agitation or a rapid severe change after starting or changing medicine.