Medication safety after a brain injury
A brain injury may result in an ongoing need for medications which need to be taken in the right dose, at the right time, and under the right conditions.
Possible problems with medications are an overdose, an allergic reaction, or a negative interaction with an existing medication. Medications prescribed after a traumatic brain injury can include:
- Anticonvulsants for the treatment of epilepsy
- Analgesics for pain management
- Psychotropics for the management of challenging behaviours
- Mood stabilizers and antidepressants.
It is very important to take medications as prescribed, and keep your doctor updated on all your medications and if they are working correctly or not. Important tips to remember include:
- Read the instructions and follow them carefully
- Don’t stop taking a medication until your doctor says to stop
- Don’t use medications after their use-by date
- Don’t use other people’s medications
- Keep all medications out of reach of children
- Give any unused medications to your pharmacist for disposal
- Don’t change the dose or the time the medicine is taken.