Guest Post: The Pill Story

The Pill Story – Why We Don’t Mix and Match

I’m small and round (sometimes) and brittle, so you would think I’m practically harmless. But that’s where you’re wrong. You see, when I meet and interact with a few others of my ilk, I turn into a potentially dangerous cocktail that could end up harming and even killing you. I’m what you call a pill, the kind you don’t think twice about popping down your throat. For years you existed without me, but once I was invented, it seemed like man could not do without me. Illness, real or perceived, and it seems like I’m your constant companion.

Now, by myself, I may be relatively easy going. I don’t harm your insides or play with your mind. But you see, I’m what you call easily influenced. So throw me in the company of a few bad pennies, and I could end up confining you to the hospital if you’re not careful. I take on various avatars – antibiotic, antidepressant, pain killer – all of which you count on to keep you happy and high.

You see, when you mix me with alcohol, I not only send you into a stupor, but one from which you could never wake up.

When you put me and birth control pills in the same room, I make them less effective (so don’t blame me for playing spoilsport when you end up with an unwanted pregnancy).

When you combine two of my forms, say antidepressant and pain medication, you’re in deep trouble of going the way Michael Jackson did (and I’m not referring to his fame here).

I may be just a small aspirin pill, but shack me up with blood thinners and watch the havoc I cause.

These are just a small sample of the chaos I could possibly cause to your psychological and physiological systems. And no, I am not exaggerating here; in fact, I am downplaying symptoms and adverse reactions.

My kin and I exist to make your life better, not harm it. But when you abuse us, we are more likely to end up killing you. So even if we are available over the counter, even if we are easily accessible, use us responsibly. If you’re not sure about mixing us, consult your doctor and stay safe.

By-line:

This guest article was written by Adrienne Carlson, who regularly writes on the topic of pharmacy tech certification . Adrienne welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: adrienne.carlson83@yahoo.com or her site http://pharmacytechniciancertification.net/