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Question: What is our nation’s most abused drug? Need a hint? It is legal and may be sitting in your medicine cabinet.

Fatal drug overdoses are an epidemic. Opioid prescription painkiller overdoses account for the majority of these deaths. The National Safety Council revealed these startling facts many people do not know, but need to, about prescription painkiller use:

*  Forty-five people die every day from opioid prescription painkillers-more deaths than from heroin and cocaine overdoses combined.

*  In 2010, enough prescription painkillers were provided to medicate every American around the clock for an entire month.

*  More than 70% of people who abused prescription pain relievers got the pills from friends or relatives.

*  The U.S. contains only 4.6% of the world’s population but consumes 80% of the world’s opioids and 99% of the world’s hydrocodone.

*  While middle-aged men and women have the highest prescription painkiller fatal overdose rates, the rates are increasing most rapidly among women. Teen use also is rising. One in 8 high school seniors admits to using prescription painkillers for fun.

Remove painkillers from your home. Talk with your kids about drugs, including common medications in your home. If you need pain meds, work with your doctor to cut back.

Birth defects can be devastating for parents and their baby. Sadly, many birth defects happen without an obvious cause and cannot be avoided. But, doctors know there are some things a woman can do before and during pregnancy to help lower the risk of birth defects. They include:

Take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day.

This is a B vitamin that can reduce the risk of certain brain and spine defects. Experts recommend taking it even before you get pregnant.

Get good medical care.

See your doctor regularly and tell him or her if you plan to get pregnant. Begin prenatal care as soon as possible after you become pregnant. It’s important to talk about any health problems you may have and any medicines you take. You’ll also need tests to check for high blood pressure, blood sugar, and other possible pregnancy problems. You may also need certain vaccines (shots) to prevent illness and avoid some birth defects.

Avoid alcohol, tobacco products, and any street drugs including marijuana.

These can harm a developing baby.

Work toward a healthy weight.

Overweight women have a higher risk of birth defects. Talk to your doctor about safe ways to achieve a healthy weight. Ask your doctor how much weight you should gain during pregnancy.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Scientific evidence shows that taking an aspirin daily can help prevent a heart attack or stroke in some people, but not in everyone. It also can cause unwanted side effects.

According to Dr. Robert Temple at the FDA, one thing is certain: You should use daily aspirin therapy only after first talking to your doctor, who can weigh the benefits and risks.

Who Can Benefit?

“Since the 1990s, clinical data have shown that in people who have experienced a heart attack, stroke or who have a disease of the blood vessels in the heart, a daily low dose of aspirin can help prevent a reoccurrence,” Dr. Temple said. (A dose ranges from the 80 mg in a low-dose tablet to the 325 mg in a regular strength tablet.) This use is known as “secondary prevention.”

However, after carefully examining scientific data from major studies, FDA has concluded that the data do not support the use of aspirin as a preventive medication by people who have not had a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular problems, a use that is called “primary prevention.” In such people, the benefit has not been established but risks-such as dangerous bleeding into the brain or stomach-are still present.

If your doctor recommends daily aspirin to lower the risk of a heart attack and clot-related stroke, read the labels carefully to make sure you have the right product. Some drugs combine aspirin with other pain relievers or other ingredients and should not be used for long-term aspirin therapy.