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Safety When You’re Taking a Known Hazard Medicine

General safety

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​How do I keep others safe when I’m taking a known hazard medicine?

There are important safety mea​sures that you and your caregivers should follow to keep people and pets around you safe.

For their safety, tell every healthcare provider who has contact with you that you’re taking a known hazard medicine.

How long do I need to follow the safety measures?

Follow the safety measures for taking a known hazard medicine during the precautionary period. This period:

  • starts when you take your first dose of the known hazard medicine
  • ends​ 48 hours after you take your last dose of the known hazard medicine

Some medicines have a longer precautionary period​​. If you aren’t sure how long the precautionary period is for the medicine you’re taking, ask your healthcare provider.

Where do I get safety supplies?

You may get some safety supplies from the pharmacy or clinic where you get your medicine.

You may need to buy other supplies, such as Nitrile disposable gloves, from another pharmacy or medical supply company.

How do I store my known hazard medicine?

Always keep known hazard medicine in its original packaging.

If you use a pill box, dosette, or blister pack, talk to your pharmacist about using a separate one for your known hazard medicine.

Keep your known hazard medicine in a safe place:

  • away from children and pets
  • away from your other medicines or the medicines of other people in your home
  • away from food and drink and places where you eat, if possible

Check the label on the medicine container and talk to your pharmacist to learn more about storing your medicine safely.



Current as of: March 31, 2022

Author: Provincial Hazardous Medication Committee, Alberta Health Services