Did you know that there are around 6,800 prescription medications available in the US? That’s not counting the OTC medicines and health supplements saturating the market. It’s no wonder many medical practitioners make mistakes dispensing them. The sheer number of options is staggering.
Around 7,000 to 9,000 people in the US die due to medication error. The FDA also receives over 100,000 reports of these types of errors every year.
It’s an unfortunate truth that doctors do make mistakes. They are human, after all. They sometimes make mistakes when prescribing medicines. Nurses and pharmacists are also prone to making these types of errors as well.
These are expensive mistakes though. It costs the country over $40 billion a year to look after patients who suffered from this. These individuals also physical and psychological pain. It could even cause them to distrust the healthcare system.
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are taking steps to reduce medication errors. But there are also steps to take as a patient given wrong medication.
Be Mindful of Your Symptoms
Your doctor would give you an overview of the medication’s effects and when you’ll see a change. But you should also pay attention to your symptoms. Are they improving or there’s no change? Take note of what you’re feeling. Do you feel nauseous or sleepy? Are you breaking out in hives or have a bad headache? Take note of these side effects. Especially if they don’t match what your doctor told you.
Contact Your Doctor
It’s your prerogative to contact your doctor for any reason. This is even a crucial step for a patient given wrong medication. Make an appointment or call your doctor outright. Inform them of your concerns. You should also share any conflicting information you might have found. For example, you believe you’ve received an off-label drug,
This medication refers to drugs used in ways different from the FDA-approved label. Some medical professionals do prescribe off-label medications. They use these to manage conditions they’re not publicized to treat. It’s a common practice but one that most patients might not understand.
A conversation with your doctor can help you understand your prescription more. They could explain if it’s off-label and why they’ve prescribed it. Or your doctor would give you a new prescription.
Clarify the Issue with Your Pharmacist
It’s also possible for your pharmacist to be at fault. Your doctor might have given you the right medication. But there might be a snafu at the pharmacist. The pharmacist might have made a mistake and gave you the wrong medicine. They could have become confused about the prescription.
You should try double-checking with the pharmacy first. Clarify if they gave you the right medicine and the exact dosage.
Call Medication Errors Attorneys
There’s no denying that prescription medication mistakes are serious. They can even become fatal. A patient given wrong medication can suffer severe complications. Or they won’t benefit at all from the medication. This could mean months when their health problem isn’t treated.
Any medication error warrants a call to an attorney. Medication errors lawyers help patients decide what they want to do. One option would be to file a medical malpractice claim. Patients prescribed the wrong medicine do suffer. Their bodies could have a severe reaction. Prescription mistakes are also expensive. The illness could progress. The patient might need more treatment.
You have the right to compensation if you experienced injuries due to this. Or if you lose someone due to this kind of medical malpractice. A pharmacy lawyer will explain your legal rights. They will also guide you on what you should do next.
What if the hospital or pharmacy offers compensation? You must not accept it no matter how tempting the offer is. You should consult a legal expert first. Medication errors lawyers know if the offer is reasonable or not.
Fighting to Protect Your Rights
It’s inevitable for medical professionals to make mistakes. You’ll need the team of Warner and Warner on your side when this happens. Our company is famous for its honesty and integrity. It’s why we’re heralded as the best trial attorneys in Florida. We will provide you with the highest level of representation. We’re experienced in complex litigation. It’s why we’re the best when it comes to medical malpractice cases. We also handle personal injury lawsuits and cases of nursing home neglect. Give us a call at (321) 341-6783. You can also request a free case review here.