Family prescriptions: uncontrolled medication

Who hasn't tried — at least once — a medication that worked for a relative or friend? In Hispanic culture it's common practice to self-medicate. We have a very old tradition of using herbs and home remedies, and going to the doctor when we feel sick isn't so easy, because a lot of us don't have medical insurance. That's why we often agree to try a medication recommended by a friend or relative, in order to treat our condition and eliminate the problem.

However, using medicine that hasn't been prescribed by a doctor is dangerous, because you can't know for sure if it's the right one for your condition or whether it will have an undesirable side effect. It's even more dangerous during pregnancy, because many medications cross the placenta and could harm your baby.

Medications to avoid

Latinos frequently use medications such as antibiotics without a prescription, but they're often not the right medications for the illness we're trying to treat.

It's easy to find antibiotics and other medications in Latino convenience stores, herbal shops, and markets. But the fact that they are available in the United States doesn't mean they're safe to use.

For example, a painkiller known as metamizole, dipyrone, or "Mexican aspirin" is banned in the United States but still available in some Latino supermarkets. This medicine is very dangerous because it kills white blood cells. Both adults and children have been hospitalized after using it. When used during pregnancy, it can cause birth defects.

Some other medications are also classified as dangerous because they have been proven to cause birth defects. Find out more about which ones you should avoid and which are safe, if prescribed by a doctor, at the Organization of Tetarology Information Specialists.

Medication from our countries of origin

In most Latin American countries it's a lot easier to buy medication without a doctor's prescription, and the medication is often much cheaper than in the United States. This, added to the fact that many Latinos in the United States lack medical insurance, could make the use of these medicines very tempting. A visit to your family in your country of origin or a package mailed to you by a well-intentioned relative may give you easy access.

However, the fact that medications come from Latin America, inside a labeled box, instead of from a Latino supermarket in the United States is no guarantee of safety. Each country has its own regulations, and what's considered safe in one may be considered dangerous in another, especially during pregnancy.

During this stage of your life, wherever a medication comes from, the safest thing is to take it only with your doctor's approval.
