Your doctor writes a prescription; the pharmacist fills it; you take the medication and get better. Thats how its supposed to work. But in the real world, plenty can go wrong, and it regularly does: More than 1.5 million potentially dangerous drug mistakes occur every year, according to the Institute of Medicine, the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences.

But with a little vigilance, you can make sure your medication leaves you healthier, not sicker. Here is a capsule review of the most common medication mistakes and how to properly take whats prescribed to you. (Spoonful of sugar optional.)

Combine similar-sounding names with illegible handwriting and what might you get? The wrong medicine. Some common mix-ups.

Adderall for ADHD Inderal for high blood pressure

Cafergot for migraines Carafate for ulcers

Celexa for depression Celebrex for arthritis

Doribax for kidney infections Zovirax for herpes simplex

Femhrt for menopausal symptoms Femara for breast cancer

Sarafem for PMS Serophene for infertility

Zantac for ulcers Xanax for anxiety

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The most common prescription medicine mistakes