BELLE — What may seem like a simple act of helping a friend or family member could carry serious health and legal consequences, according to local pharmacist Dr. Kimberly Litton of Sinks Pharmacy.

“The risks of medication sharing, or swapping, is very dangerous. Many people think that they are helpful when in reality, it is very dangerous,” Litton said.

Litton explained that medication swapping occurs when someone takes medication prescribed for another person, often under the assumption that it is safe.

“Many people think they ‘just had some left over’ or ‘my spouse takes the same thing’ but it can be much more dangerous than people realize,” she said.

Even when the medication appears identical, the risks can vary widely depending on the individual.

“Even if it is the same medication it could be the wrong dose for the individual due to unknown kidney or liver issues, it could be too low of a dose causing resistance requiring something more powerful in the future, or it could mask symptoms delaying proper diagnosis by a healthcare professional,” Litton said.

She stressed that no category of prescription drugs is safe to share.

“In my opinion, there isn’t a group of medications that are more dangerous than others to share. All prescriptions carry side effects or drug interactions that could be very dangerous depending on what other over-the-counter medications, including vitamins, the patient takes,” she said.

Antibiotics, in particular, can create complications when not taken correctly.

“Taking another antibiotic may not actually treat the infection at bay, but cause resistance. Some antibiotics do not travel to the area in the human body where the infection is brewing, so instead of treating the infection it can also cause it to flourish, cause side effects, allergic reactions, or mask the infection,” Litton said.

“If you do not have a full course of antibiotics to treat your infection, it can also come back with vengeance,” she added.

Beyond medical concerns, sharing medications—especially controlled substances—can also result in legal consequences.

“Sharing your controlled substance can not only get the one receiving in legal trouble, but those that provide the medication as well could be charged with diversion,” Litton said.

She noted that individuals may also face unintended consequences during medical care.

“Another way this could unknowingly get you in trouble is if a urine screen is done at the doctor before prescribing a control substance that you need and something shows up that you have not been prescribed could actually get you discharged by your doctor,” she said.

Litton acknowledged that financial concerns are often a driving factor behind medication sharing.

“Many people think they are being helpful by saving others money and time by sharing what they may already have. Unfortunately, money is a big limiting factor on why many citizens do not seek proper healthcare and will just reach out to their friends and family instead,” she said.

However, she emphasized that much safer options are available.

“Most people do not realize there are programs to help with medication costs,” Litton said.

She pointed to manufacturer coupons as one option, though they are often limited to brand-name medications.

“Even though a medication is available generically does not mean it is cheap,” she said.

“When a patient cannot afford their medication, I encourage them to talk to their local doctor or pharmacist because we are aware of programs to help patients bridge the gap until coverage may be available,” Litton said.

She added that community members and organizations often reach out to local healthcare providers looking for ways to help patients access needed medications.

“We are lucky to live in the community that we do, and we often have churches or individuals reach out asking how they can help all while protecting the privacy of the individual requiring help,” she said.

“If we do not have an immediate resource, your local healthcare professionals will know where to direct you to get the resources that you need,” Litton added.

Litton also highlighted the importance of using a single pharmacy for prescriptions.

“Another topic that I think is important that relates is using multiple pharmacies,” she said. “It is important to keep all your prescriptions at one pharmacy so that drug interactions, duplicate therapy, and adherence can be monitored.”

For those concerned about a loved one sharing medications, Litton recommends a careful and supportive approach.

“If you suspect a loved one is swapping medications, it is important to reach out to them quickly, but also in the appropriate manner. You want to be neutral and non-accusatory,” she said. “Avoiding language such as ‘you can’t do that’ immediately sets the wrong tone for the conversation.”

“Using language like ‘I want to make sure you are safe, are you taking anything that you aren’t prescribed?’ or ‘sometimes people share medications, can we talk about what you have been taking?’ is the most helpful way to have an open conversation,” she said.

“I can say with confidence that your local health care professionals are your best resources to find out about cost-saving opportunities,” she said.

Litton began working at Sinks Pharmacy in 2005 as a high school delivery driver before attending the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, now part of Washington University in St. Louis, where she graduated magna cum laude with her Doctor of Pharmacy in 2012. While in college, she continued working for Sinks and Medley Pharmacy, later returning to the area after graduation. After briefly traveling among local pharmacies to fill in where needed, she came full circle back to Belle as pharmacist in charge. Litton and her husband, both originally from the tri-county area, plan to continue raising their family in the community.

The Advocate reached out to Litton while investigating prescription risks for its April 8 article titled, “Medication sharing among seniors carries serious health risks.”