(HealthDay News) -- If you're allergic to a medication, you can take steps to reduce your risk of a reaction, which could be life-threatening.

The University of Michigan Health System offers these suggestions:

• Make sure you write down the names of any medications to which you are allergic.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any newly prescribed medication to be sure it is not similar to another drug to which you are allergic.
• Never share your medication with someone else or take someone else's medication yourself.