Antibiotic Awareness Tips

antibiotic tips

During the winter months when people are sick more often, MRHC urges the community to be mindful of antibiotic use and the growing concern of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics are powerful tools in fighting bacterial infections but are not effective against viruses like the flu. While it may seem convenient to keep leftover medications “just in case” the next time you or a family member are sick, it can be very dangerous.

Jen Morris

“Resist the temptation to go to your cabinet to take any leftover medication, especially antibiotics,” shared MRHC Pharmacy Director, Jen Morris, PharmD. “If you for some reason have leftover meds, taking that medication for another type of illness could create harm or result in side effects. Another concern with patients not finishing medications as prescribed is a fear of developing antibiotic resistance.”

Antibiotic resistance has become a serious public health threat. It occurs when bacteria evolve to resist the effects of antibiotics, making bacterial infections harder to treat. Morris reminds the public to follow these guidelines for safe and responsible antibiotic use:

  • Use antibiotics only as prescribed.
  • Complete the full course of treatment. Stopping antibiotics early, even if you feel better, can allow bacteria to survive and become resistant.
  • Never self-treat with leftover medication or antibiotics prescribed for someone else.

While antibiotics are not effective against viruses, MRHC encourages flu vaccinations and proper management of symptoms to stay healthy. Over-the-counter remedies and home care can provide relief for viral infections without contributing to antibiotic resistance.

“If you go to the doctor and find out that an antibiotic is not needed for your infection, I encourage you to call your pharmacist to find out what you can take to help treat your symptoms that do not include an antibiotic,” said Morris.

Medication Management

In addition to using antibiotics correctly, proper medication management in general is key to maintaining health and safety. MRHC offers these tips for all medications:

  1. Take medications exactly as prescribed.
  2. Store medicines properly and check expiration dates.
  3. Learn about potential interactions and side effects.
  4. Keep an up-to-date medication list and bring it to all medical appointments.
  5. Ask a pharmacist if you have questions about a medication.
Medication Disposal

Morris also encourages safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs to help prevent medication misuse and opioid addiction. There is a medication drop box located at the MRHC Emergency Department entrance as well as the Manning Pharmacy. Residents can discreetly take leftover medications to these boxes and make sure unused prescriptions are securely destroyed without posing environmental threats.

Both sites can accept small amounts of liquids, pills, patches, creams, and inhalers. However, needles, sharps, and illegal substances are not allowed. Morris notes that common methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—are potential safety and health hazards and are not advised.

For more information about what to do with expired medications, please call MRHC at (712) 655-2072.

Don’t be the Dealer: Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 30th

dispose of leftover medications

Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) encourages everyone to go through their medicine cabinets while spring cleaning this year and take part in Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 30th.

While it may seem convenient to keep leftover medications “just in case” the next time you or a family member are sick, it can be very dangerous.

“Resist the temptation to go to your cabinet to take any leftover medication, especially antibiotics,” said Jen Morris, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy at MRHC. “A big concern with patients not finishing medications as prescribed is a fear of developing antibiotic resistance.”

What is Antibiotic Resistance?
  • Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to defeat drugs designed to kill them. Illnesses once easily treatable with antibiotics can become untreatable, leading to dangerous infections.
  • If a patient has a bacterial infection that warrants antibiotic treatment, it is vital they follow their prescription usage directions carefully.
  • Finish the whole treatment of antibiotics, even if you are feeling better, because infections can come back even worse than before if you don’t finish antibiotics.
  • Never use leftover antibiotics to self-treat family members with similar symptoms. Taking leftover antibiotics for a new illness increases your risk of having side effects, making you sicker, or causing a reaction.

Not taking the correct doses of prescribed antibiotics and saving leftover pain pills has evolved from a public health issue to a public safety concern. Research from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that most misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including medication being stolen from home medicine cabinets.

According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a public health, public safety, and national security threat. The DEA’s Take Back Day encourages safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing prescription drugs to help prevent medication misuse and opioid addiction.

Medication Disposal Options

Morris notes that residents have two options available year-round to dispose of unused prescriptions – not just on April 30. dispose of leftover medications

“We have a medication drop box located at the Emergency Department entrance at the hospital and the Manning Pharmacy houses a destruction box uptown as well,” shared Morris. “Residents can discreetly take their leftover medications to these boxes and make sure unused prescriptions are securely destroyed without posing environmental threats.”

Both sites can accept small amounts of liquids, pills, patches, creams, and inhalers. However, needles, sharps, and illegal substances are not allowed. Morris notes that common methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—are potential safety and health hazards and are not advised.

For more information about what to do with expired medications, please call MRHC at (712) 655-2072. If you or a family member has concerns about prescription drug abuse, please call the Recovery Center at (712) 655-2300.