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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on February 13, 2003, at 13:46:18
I was reading through a web site about drug interactions, and the author had a footnote about a woman who was on Paxil, and hoping to get pregnant. Her doctor wrote her a prescription for "Prenate" which she promply filled, but which the pharmacist read as "Parnate." After taking the dosage listed on the rx (along with her Paxil), she went into severe serotonin syndrome and died the next day. Agh. Halloween med story.
Posted by paxvox on February 13, 2003, at 18:50:40
In reply to Lousy MD handwriting, posted by Eddie Sylvano on February 13, 2003, at 13:46:18
Guess it's a good thing I don't write scripts. I have trouble reading my own writing at times. Actually, I think there's a class on how to write illegible RX just to piss off pharmacists and to show their patients that they still know their Latin (because you have no idea what it says). In actuality, there are quite a few RX mix ups, and it's not always the fault of the Dr. So many chain stores are going to pharm techs who actually fill the RX (though a pharmacist has to "check it out"). Always room for error. This too is another problem with generics, because they don't say "Wellbutrin" on them. I used to love the newer Valiums with their cut out "V", now THAT was cool!
PAX
Posted by jay on February 13, 2003, at 21:40:41
In reply to Re: Lousy MD handwriting, posted by paxvox on February 13, 2003, at 18:50:40
Yes this has been a widespread problem, (it happened to me a number of years ago with Buspar...and I got a blood pressure lowering med instead...but caught it before I left the store) but things are changing, and I know as both here in Canada and the U.S. Here are a few tips:
-Many doctors have turned to computer printouts for prescriptions (mine has)..and I read many HMO's in the U.S. are going this way. It is the size of a regular piece of printout paper, (usually laser printer), has the name of the doc at the top..the script instructions in the middle, and name and then the signature at the bottom. It's big and bulky, but clear and can save lives and guessing.
-Until this happens, if it is a new prescription you can't read, ask your doctor to print it out for you. Then take it to your pharmacy and double check the label on what they give you.
-If you had the med before..also check what the pill looks like before you swallow it.(never just open the bottle and pop it in your mouth without a look) Get a good medication reference book to cross-check the pill with.
Jay
This is the end of the thread.
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