You count on drug manufacturers to supply the public with safe and effective medications. As with all things, mistakes can be made, and the results can be devastating. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a bad drug, you need to take action. Read on for the key facts you need to know so that you can not only be compensated but help others to avoid the same fate.

1. Follow the Instructions – Taking prescribed drugs as ordered is vital to not just your health but also when it comes to drug liability cases. The drug manufacturers are not liable for the harm that might come to consumers if the victim exceeded the limit or failed to follow other instructions. If you are unsure, check with the pharmacist and your doctor. If you followed the directions for the medication but suffered harm anyway, you may be owed compensation.
2. Keep Up With Side Effects – Most drug manufacturers do a good job of explaining both common and rare side effects of drugs. There are no drugs in existence that don't have side effects, but some can be worse than others. For example, you might expect to feel more tired when taking certain blood pressure medications. Having heart trouble caused by a blood pressure medication is entirely a different issue. Be sure to make notes of all side effects by keeping a medication log. Drugs often go through a rigorous testing phase on human subjects, and that tends to prevent the worst side effects. Unfortunately, people are seriously harmed by the side effects of drugs every day.
3. Be Watchful of the Packaging – It's not just prescription drugs that can cause harm to consumers. Over-the-counter drugs that have been improperly manufactured or that have been tampered with have caused harm and even death. Never consume medicine that is not sealed when you buy over-the-counter medications. If you do suspect that you've consumed a drug that was tampered with, retain all the packaging and the receipts, if possible.
4. Be Wary of Compounded Drugs – Another area of concern of late has been the contamination of drugs coming from some compounding pharmacies. There is nothing inherently wrong with using a compounding pharmacy for drugs that have to custom mixed. Unfortunately, some of the sanitation methods at these facilities leave much to be desired. Use well-respected facilities only and speak to a lawyer if you are harmed by a compounded drug.

Allow a personal injury lawyer to evaluate your case if you think you have been hurt by a bad drug.