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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by vanessa33 on November 18, 2003, at 11:24:41
Posting this on a separate thread so people can see the topic that came up more clearly.
Someone on this board is concerned he might have gotten a bad refill on a prescription - that all was working for his son until he refilled and suddenly it either wasn't working anymore or was having weird side effects. The thread is called "Zoloft update, strange behavior- what the..." if you want to look.
Has anyone else ever suspected that he or she got a "bad refill" on a prescription?
He's not positive that this is the problem, but it might be helpful to see from others' input whether this is something that happens from time to time or whether it's so rare that it must have been something else.
Anyone ever had a bad refill or know what the chances are?
Posted by Susan J on November 18, 2003, at 12:06:32
In reply to Bad Refills, posted by vanessa33 on November 18, 2003, at 11:24:41
Hi,
> Someone on this board is concerned he might have gotten a bad refill on a prescription - that all was working for his son until he refilled and suddenly it either wasn't working anymore or was having weird side effects.
> He's not positive that this is the problem, but it might be helpful to see from others' input whether this is something that happens from time to time or whether it's so rare that it must have been something else.
>
> Anyone ever had a bad refill or know what the chances are?
>
>
<<I don't know actual statistics on medication errors (incorrect prescription drug fills or refills), but I did a study on it in Maryland a couple of years ago, and the incidents that were *reported* were a concern to me.In 2001, in Maryland, 87 medication errors were reported to the Pharmacy Board, up from 31 in 1996. But that statistic is only errors that were reported. I have no idea how many actually occurred.
It's an issue that's hard to track because pharmacists don't want to report the medical error due to liability issues. But there were documented incidents of filling an anti-seizure medication for a person with another drug. The other drug was harmless, but since the person didn't know she wasn't getting the anti-seizure med, she eventually had a seizure.
There was another case where the doctor's writing was so bad, the pharmacist typed out a dose about 10x too high on a baby's med, and the baby actually died.
The industry is trying to cut down on these types of errors, using standard, printed Rx pads instead of relying on the doc's handwriting. Using automated drug prescription machines that precisely count out pills, and which have computer software to kick back *unlikely* dosage recommendations, etc. But since the error could happen in a variety of places (doc, pharmacist, pharm tech, non-english reading/speaking patient, even manufacturer) it's hard to prevent entirely.
But, as a heavy drug user, myself, I try to make sure my refills contain the proper drug (Rx book at home with markings), make sure the dose is the same. And on a new drug I get, I really scrutinize it, especially regarding proper dosage recommendations.
Pharmacists are human, too, and make mistakes. Most mistakes aren't that harmful, but it's scary how bad the problem can be. Each person in the chain needs to be as vigilant as possible, including the consumer to the extent possible.
I hope it never happens to anyone. :-(
Posted by DanielJ on November 18, 2003, at 14:32:19
In reply to Medical Errors are Common Enough to Be a Concern » vanessa33, posted by Susan J on November 18, 2003, at 12:06:32
It was me who had the problem. I am almost positive there is something wrong with this med.
It is the right color and marking but could be counterfiet? It is not working the same way. I just called P Dr. again to get the old 100 mg Zoloft refilled. I don't trust these 50 mgs. I think the may be (Old?, Fake?, Weak, or incorrect in some other way)
Posted by Susan J on November 18, 2003, at 14:54:38
In reply to Re: Medical Errors are Common. Its me Trying to Co, posted by DanielJ on November 18, 2003, at 14:32:19
Hi,
I'm not a pharmacist by any stretch, but I don't *think* the pills would be counterfeit. Maybe the pills were spoiled somehow, like they sat in a delivery truck for hours under sweltering sun and the temp. change hurt them.
Is he taking anything else like an antihistamine for a cold/allergy? Anything OTC? That might cause that type of reaction.
Are you getting a generic? Is that even available for Zoloft? The reason I ask that is sometimes generics are chemically the same drug, but may have different inert fillers or gelatin capsules/coatings.
Also, I don't know where those tabs or whatever are scored to that you know where you're cutting (100mg down to 75mg), but perhaps it's possible you weren't giving him quite the 75mg dose because cutting is not precise? And now that he's getting a precise dose off the two tablets, that it's in effect a larger dose for him so he's getting new or more intense side effects?
But I think it's wise to go back to the 100mg tabs that you cut down to 75mg like you were doing before. No need to mess with something that actually did work. But I'd also check with your doctor. Also, you can report it to your state's pharmacy board (if you are in the US) and they can investigate it for you.
Good luck. I know it can be horribly frustrating...
Susan
Posted by crazychickuk on November 18, 2003, at 15:03:47
In reply to Re: Medical Errors are Common. Its me Trying to Co » DanielJ, posted by Susan J on November 18, 2003, at 14:54:38
My best advice to you is to take the tablets to your pharmicist and tell them whats going on..
Posted by DanielJ on November 18, 2003, at 15:34:50
In reply to Bad Refills, posted by vanessa33 on November 18, 2003, at 11:24:41
Just recently the FDA has taken a new initiative to prevent counterfeit perscription drugs from entering the US market. They say the chances of getting a counterfeit med. is only 1 in 100. That is also the same chances of having Schizophrenia. Maybe if it turns out to be counterfeit. My son and I should buy some lottery tickets, something good has to come out of this!
Posted by jay on November 18, 2003, at 16:38:51
In reply to Bad Refills, posted by vanessa33 on November 18, 2003, at 11:24:41
Only once many, many years ago, due to a doctor's horrid handwritting. These days, my doc uses a computer printed prescription in which nothing is left to guess in the usual doctor's scrawny handwritting. If people are getting refills, they should also check the pills before they leave the pharmacy. My pharmacy is great as they always spend a minute or two having the pharmacist double check the package, and is another reason why I think people should always use the same pharmacy. They get to know you and your prescriptions.
Anyhow...just my .02 cents
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 18, 2003, at 16:41:16
In reply to Bad Refills, posted by vanessa33 on November 18, 2003, at 11:24:41
Pharmacy tried to cheat me out of my 60qty Strattera 2 times. With a $50 co-pay, I started counting pills before leaving to ensure they got me every single pill. (Think it might be an isolated employee problem, not Walgreens problem, on that one though)
Posted by stjames on November 18, 2003, at 17:04:25
In reply to Re: Bad Refills, posted by KimberlyDi on November 18, 2003, at 16:41:16
(Think it might be an isolated employee problem, not Walgreens problem, on that one though)
Walgreens here just setteled with the family
of a boy who was given methadone instead of ritalin, putting him in a coma.
This is the end of the thread.
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