Helpful Safety Tips When Taking Hazardous Drugs
If you're required to take hazardous drugs, whether it's for chemotherapy or hormone replacement therapy, you need to use extra caution. These drugs need to be handled with extreme care, which you can do when you consider these safety tips:
Store Drugs Properly
If people in your family were to access your hazardous drugs, severe medical complications could arise. That's why you need to make sure these drugs are stored correctly in your home. Children and pets shouldn't be able to access this location. If you've selected cabinets as a storage option, make sure they are secure with locks.
Keep your drugs separate from your family's prescriptions to avoid any mix-up. You naturally may want to put these medications in a pill box, but resist these urges. Instead, keep them in their original container so that you know exactly what you need to take for the day. You also need to keep your medications away from moisture-prone areas.
Deal with Hazardous Drug Spills Promptly
When you spill your hazardous drugs, it's critical to clean them up as quickly as possible. Generally, you'll receive some type of cleaning kit along with your drugs for these exact situations. Before cleaning, be sure to put on nitrile gloves for added protection and safety.
You'll also want to clean the contaminated area multiples times to remove all possible traces of the drug. If any drugs spilled on your clothes, immediately take them off and put them in the washing machine. Keep these clothes separate from your other laundry and choose the hottest setting you can.
If these drugs got on your skin, rinse your body off with warm water and soap. If irritation continues, consult with your doctor.
Take Hazardous Drugs Correctly
In order to keep you and your family safe, you need to take these drugs correctly every time. Consult with your pharmacist to see what schedule and routine you need to keep. Follow your pharmacist's directions precisely, and always read the label on every bottle. If you accidentally forget to take a dose, don't double up the next day.
As a precaution, don't let your family members help you take this medication. They could, after all, get contaminated if they make the slightest mistake.
Hazardous drugs, when used correctly, have all sorts of benefits. As long as you follow the right safety protocol, you can avoid the dangers associated with these drugs. Contact a hazardous drug cstd pharmacy for more information.
