Drugs used in the treatment of mental disorders are often supplied over the counter without prescription, with insufficient or misleading information, or are prescribed inappropriately.

He cites studies showing that 30 percent of ulcer medications - a major drug expense for many employers - are "inappropriately prescribed and used."

FDA has continued to receive reports of deaths and life-threatening side effects after doctors have inappropriately prescribed the patch or patients have incorrectly used it.

Medication phobia can be triggered by unpleasant adverse reactions to medications which are sometimes prescribed inappropriately or at excessive doses.

Even drugs not on the list are often inappropriately prescribed or are taken when they are not needed, causing serious side effects along the way, she said, adding, "I see that every single day."

It was concluded that benzodiazepines are often prescribed inappropriately, for a wide range of conditions and situations.

Companies often hide information about the dangers of their drugs, he said, or market them in ways that increase the odds they will be prescribed inappropriately.

Such drugs often have been inappropriately prescribed and also have been used in the overdose (p. 40).

And if you demand antibiotics whenever you have a cold or other viral disease, you, too, contribute to their misuse; half are thought to be prescribed inappropriately or unnecessarily.

Others become dependent or addicted when the medication is inappropriately prescribed or when they have been necessary in the treatment of a long-term illness or injury.