Don’t cheat on your pharmacist

It may be more convenient to sometimes use the pharmacy at work, and other times, the one closest to home, but filling your prescriptions at multiple locations removes a layer of protection from your care, which could make your prescriptions less effective—or even deadly. Drug interactions are a real thing—and that includes every drug, including those that don’t require a prescription. “Make sure all your doctors are aware of every medication you’re taking, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbs,” urges Brian R. Malone, R. Ph, director of Pharmaceutical Services and Medication Safety Officer at NYU Winthrop Hospital on Long Island. Remember that some medications cancel each other out, and others are dangerous to mix.