Sometimes, it may not seem too risky to share a drug that you have been prescribed with a friend or a family member. Those antibiotics that you didn’t finish (like you should have) may be very well be what could cure your brother’s sinus infection, and you consider passing them along. Or the painkiller that you took off and on for your broken shoulder. That would be great for your friend’s sprained ankle. But should you share?

It is Illegal

First of all, taking another person’s prescription drugs is illegal. Prescription drugs are only legal when they are prescribed by a doctor and filled by a pharmacist. The prescription that is written for one person cannot be legally shared with others.

Safety

The most important thing to consider is the safety of the prescription drug medications that you are partaking in or sharing with others. You do not know what substances may be in prescription drugs in addition to the active ingredients. You may be allergic, or your friend or family member may have an allergy to these substances. This could be dangerous or life threatening.

In addition to allergies, you will want to consider the drug interaction aspect. Prescription drugs can interact with anything including other prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbals, and alcohol. You may not know the ins and outs of the prescription you want to receive, or the one that you are willing to share. You also don’t know how the drug will interact with the current prescription drugs that you or the people you want to share drugs with are taking.

Also, if you take a prescription drug that your doctor did not prescribe, your doctor is not aware of what you are taking. It is important that your doctor is aware at all times of the current medications that you are taking in case something goes wrong or a condition arises from the prescription drugs you take.

It is best to take only medications that have been prescribed to you and not to share with others. Making legal and wise decisions will keep you and your family and friends healthy and safe.