What is public health? Students in the UGA Health & Wellness class are here to help you find out! They have strategically identified examples in the Athens community that they feel represent public health in action. This blog is dedicated to explaining, understanding, and discussing what their interpretations of public health, as well as their reactions to learning about topics of health and wellness.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Medication Warning Labels


Description of what and where your example is:
My example of public health is a prescription drug warning label located on my roommate’s medication bottle. The medication is an antidepressant that can have many side effects and can be dangerous if mixed with certain or substances. It warns that the medication in this bottle can cause dizziness and drowsiness, especially when mixed with alcohol.
Description of how your choice is an example of public health:
Prescription drug warning labels are important examples of public health. These labels are easy to read reminders of side effects and warnings concerning the drug. This helps keep those taking the medication informed and safer. It allows those taking the medicine to know what is normal while taking the drug and reminders of dangers of mixing certian medications. 
Why you chose this example
I chose this example because I have seen how the lack of warning labels has harmed people in other countries. When in Ghana, I was prescribed a medication and it did not have any warnings on it. I did not know why I was experiencing the side effects and it left me anxious about my health. This experience showed me the importance of warning labels on prescription drugs.
Why it is important that others consider this example of public health
It is important for others to consider this example of public health because knowledge of the drugs you are taking is an important step to medication safety. Anyone taking drugs needs to know the dangers of mixing medications and the possible side effects of the drug. We need to increase the visibility of these labels in order to make them easier to see, especially for the elderly. Colored labels have been shown to increase attention and visibility for these labels.  

Margaret Sharpe
Melissa Thomas
Brandon Murphy

3 comments:

  1. I agree with this post that a warning label is an example of public health. As Americans we sometimes take advantage that doctors and pharmacies take the time to tell us the risks that can some with certain medicines. They let us know the precautions that are associated with the medicine. Most countries do not have this luxury. Medication safety is very important.

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  2. My group and I also agree that this is a pressing issue that has caused many serious problems in the past and will continue to do so without more attention being brought to the topic. We all know that drugs are serious, some more than others, but overall the majority of prescription drugs can cause side effects that are not ideal. We have discussed in class the concerns of using prescription drugs without a prescription which seems to be wildly popular among college students. Like the overuse and abuse of adderall and other study drugs. It is safe to say that most people who are prescribed the drug typically know the side effects and read the warning labels but I'm sure many that take it without a prescription do not know that it has some side effects. Like you mentioned in your post there are many benefits of having warning labels on prescription drugs. People need to make sure and read those labels to avoid dangerous complications in the future. I like that you mentioned which labels are noticed more because that is something that pharmacies and drug companies should consider in order to draw more attention to the warning labels. Great job!

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    Replies
    1. Jessie Kroll
      Michelle Reed
      Allie Haddon

      -- For the post above

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