(HealthDay News) -- Although you may be tempted to use a medication that has been prescribed to someone else, this is a dangerous practice.

Even if you have similar symptoms, the American Academy of Family Physicians warns:

• The medication could have been prescribed for someone of a particular gender, size or age, and may not be appropriate for someone else.
• The medication may react with other drugs that you take.
• Your body may react differently to the drug than the person for whom it was prescribed.
• The dosage written on the prescription label may not be appropriate for you.