Because prescription opioid analgesic misuse is often unintentional, it's important to know what steps you can take to avoid misusing your prescription medication:

• Honestly answer all your doctor's or other healthcare professional's questions about your medical history, allergies and other medications, including over-the-counter medicines, that you currently take.

• Ask your doctor or other healthcare professional about the expected effects and side effects.

• Notify your doctor or other healthcare professional of any unexpected reactions.

• Ask your doctor or other healthcare professional if you should avoid any foods, other prescription medications, or over-the-counter medications.

• Always follow the directions on your prescription bottle or container. Never change the dose of medication or take the medication more often than prescribed unless directed by your doctor or other healthcare professional.

• Never use your prescription medication to treat any illnesses, pain or injuries other than the one for which it was prescribed.

• Never share your prescription medication with anyone.

• Keep your prescription medication in a safe place where no one else can use it by mistake.

Misuse of prescription opioid analgesics can have very serious consequences, including death. Whether or not the misuse is intentional, the end result can still be the same. You can die the very first time you misuse or abuse a prescription opioid analgesic.

The good news is that if you carefully follow the directions on the container or bottle of your medicine and ask your doctor or other healthcare professional any questions you may have, the risk of negative effects from using prescription opioid analgesics is decreased.

PAINFULLY OBVIOUS® — The simple solution to using your medication safely is to just follow the directions on your prescription medication bottle or container.

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