I was aware of the dangerous practice of adults sharing medications with friends but I was horrified by an article about teens sharing prescription medications such as allergy, antibiotics, acne, etc. with their friends. In an interview of teens aged 12-17 concerning this practice, 1/5 had at some point exchanged medications and of that number 1/3 never mentioned this practice to their health care practitioner.
Like teens, some people might not see how this is such a problem but there are many interactions that can occur between prescription medication, OTC medication, vitamins and/or herbal supplements that can be anywhere between minor to deadly.
If a teen shares an antibiotic with a friend...that will mean they did not take the complete course as prescribed which is what can lead to rebound infection and/or resistance. A pregnant girl whose friend innocently shares a common prescription medication used to treat acne could give birth to a baby with birth defeats.
I am sure this practice comes with good intent, as often among adults it is, but there is a sound reason that prescription medication comes with the label that the medication should not be taken by anyone other than who it was prescribed for.
This article only addressed the practice of exchanging non-addicting medication but the problem becomes more complicated and dangerous when the medication involved is mood altering.
You can read more about this growing problem at
Teens Health Parents...talk to your children and to any teen reader...don't risk your life...it really can be harmful if swallowed if it wasn't prescribed for you.
Posted By: Belinda Anderson
Wednesday, August 12th 2009 at 10:32PM
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