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Re-activateSize matters when it comes to prescription drugs. If you're a woman who is 5 feet tall and weighs 125 pounds, you might get the same dosage as a man who is 6 feet tall and weighs 225 pounds. But each year about 1.5 million serious injuries and 75,000 deaths in the U.S. might be caused, at least in part, by taking approved drug doses that are too strong.
And some people can do better with lower doses of certain drugs than the manufacturer recommends. Examples include medications for arthritis, cholesterol, depression, high blood pressure, insomnia, ulcers, and heartburn. If you're prescribed something for one of those conditions, ask your doctor whether it's worth trying a lower dose—but don't scale back on your own.
This article first appeared in the October 2010 issue of Shopsmart magazine, on newsstands now. Read more on how to improve the conversation with your doctor about your medications.
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