~ A pharmacist’s perspective ~
By Ruben R. Gumbs
In many households, medicine cabinets are filled with half-used prescriptions – leftover painkillers from a surgery, antibiotics from a past infection, or inhalers that never quite ran out. Because these medications are so familiar, it can be tempting to hand one over to a friend or family member who suddenly needs relief. It feels helpful, even caring. But as harmless as it may seem, sharing prescription medication is one of the riskiest health habits people engage in – and one that pharmacists urgently warn against.
As a pharmacist, I’ve seen the consequences up close. Misused prescriptions can cause dangerous reactions, mask serious illnesses, lead to misuse or addiction, or even result in life-threatening emergencies. Despite these risks, surveys show that nearly one in four adults admits to sharing prescription medication at least once. Understanding why this is so dangerous may prevent the next well-intentioned mistake.
Medications are personalized – your prescription is not “one size fits all”
Every prescription you receive is carefully chosen for your body, your symptoms, and your medical history. Doctors and pharmacists consider your age, weight, kidney function, allergies, other medications, and underlying conditions before determining the right drug and dose.
Giving your medication to someone else ignores all of those factors.
What might be safe for you could be harmful – or even deadly – for someone with a different health profile. Consider the following, for example:
- A pain reliever that works well for you may dangerously suppress breathing in someone with asthma.
- A blood pressure pill could cause a dramatic, unsafe drop in someone with normal blood pressure.
- Medications with narrow dosing ranges, such as thyroid pills or blood thinners, can cause life-threatening complications when taken incorrectly.
No two patients are exactly alike – and no prescription should be treated as interchangeable.
Hidden allergies and drug interactions can trigger emergencies
Pharmacists routinely screen prescriptions for drug interactions and allergies. When someone takes a borrowed medication, that safety check never happens.
Even common medications can interact badly with others, increasing the risk of serious complications. A borrowed antibiotic may trigger a severe allergic reaction in someone who’s never taken it before. A muscle relaxer taken alongside alcohol can dangerously slow breathing. A leftover opioid mixed with anxiety medication can lead to fatal overdose.
Without a pharmacist reviewing the full medication list, a person taking shared medication is essentially gambling with their health – without even realizing it.
Symptoms may be a sign of something serious
One of the biggest dangers of sharing prescription medication is that it can delay proper diagnosis.
Symptoms exist for a reason: They are signals from the body that something is wrong. Taking someone else’s medication may hide those symptoms temporarily but allow the underlying condition to worsen.
Consider the following, for example:
- Someone with severe stomach pain might take a friend’s painkiller, masking symptoms of appendicitis.
- A borrowed inhaler might temporarily ease breathing issues while an untreated infection spreads.
- Taking leftover antibiotics could interfere with accurate lab results, making a diagnosis more difficult.
When symptoms are covered up instead of investigated, minor problems can escalate into emergencies.
Antibiotic sharing fuels a global health crisis
One of the most commonly shared prescriptions is antibiotics. People often assume that if an antibiotic helped once, it will help again – or help someone else. But this is especially dangerous.
Taking the wrong antibiotic, or not taking a full prescribed course, contributes to antibiotic resistance – a growing global threat where bacteria become too strong for current medications to treat.
When antibiotics are misused, infections linger, mutate, and become harder to kill. These resistant strains can spread, making future infections more dangerous for everyone. Sharing antibiotics accelerates this process and puts entire communities at risk.
Some medications have high addiction potential
Medications like opioids, stimulants, sedatives, and anti-anxiety drugs can be extremely dangerous when used by someone without a prescription. Even a single pill can cause dependence or trigger an overdose in someone who isn’t monitored by a healthcare professional.
Unfortunately, many people underestimate just how powerful these drugs are. Sharing them – even with good intentions – can unintentionally contribute to addiction or harm.
It’s illegal, too
Beyond the medical dangers, sharing prescription medication is against the law. In many regions, it’s considered drug distribution – even if no money is exchanged. This especially applies to controlled substances such as painkillers, ADHD medications, and anti-anxiety drugs.
While most people never consider the legal consequences, they can be severe.
What you should do instead
If someone you know is experiencing symptoms or discomfort, consider the following safe and responsible alternatives to sharing medication:
- Encourage them to consult a healthcare provider or visit urgent care.
- Offer over-the-counter remedies when appropriate.
- Help them check for telehealth options if they cannot get an immediate appointment.
- Suggest non-medication comfort measures depending on the symptom – hydration, rest, cold compresses, heat therapy, etc.
It’s far better to help someone get the right treatment than to risk giving them the wrong one.
The bottom line: Sharing isn’t caring when it comes to prescriptions
Medications are powerful tools meant to heal – but only when used correctly. What seems like a small favour could lead to a dangerous reaction, a delayed diagnosis, addiction, or a medical emergency. As a pharmacist, my message is simple: Your prescription is designed for you, and only you.
The next time someone asks to “borrow” a pill, remember that saying no isn’t unhelpful – it’s responsible, protective, and potentially lifesaving.
