Toprol Mis-labeling

[Sarah]

This info went out to pharmacists, but it is a good reminder that we should always check to make sure that the contents of our pill bottles contain what it says on the label of the bottle while we are still at the counter.

http://www.copd-international.com/library/Toprol-XL_recall.htm

Safety Alert
March 2003

Caremark Pharmaceutical Has Recalled Toprol-XL
(anti-hypertensive)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the following information.

PRODUCT
Toprol-XL (Metoprolol Succinate) Tablets, 100 mg., 90 tablet bottles,
each extended release tablet contains 95 mg metoprolol succinate
equivalent to 100 mg metoprolol tartrate, USP; NDC #0339-5783-11. Recall
# D-152-3.

CODE
LN066233, expires 12/19/03.

RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
Caremark Pharmaceutical Services, Vernon Hills, IL, by telephone and
letters on January 8, 2003. Firm initiated recall is ongoing.

REASON
Mislabeling; bottles labeled as containing 100 mg tablets actually
contain Toprol XL, 50 mg. Tablets.

VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE
418 bottles.

DISTRIBUTION
Nationwide.[/i]

[shirleymahoney]

Wow that would really make people think something was wrong with them
i do check my meds though before leaving the pharmacy, my husband did get the wrong pills once, and it was his blood pressure med, i caught it because the pills were the wrong color, needless to say we changed pharmacies, really people check your meds, if in dout ask.

Shirley

[Lisa Salberg]

UFF DA!

Yes yet again Sarah finds a gem in cyberspace! ALWAYS watch your meds...
Here is a funny story of almost getting the wrong meds!!

I was admitted to the hospital because my ICD had failed (April 2001). I was feeling 100% fine but still was treated like a regular patient (the meanies would not let me leave the hospital and return the next day for the procedure :P )
My EP, whom I deeply respect, wrote an order for my meds - Corgard also known as Atenalol - When the nurse arrived with my meds she handed me a large white pill?!? Odd Corgard is blue and little - the generic can be white but is also small?!?? I said are you sure about this?

She looked at the paperwork and her tone changed ...'ok dear you need to take your meds now, the doctor said so'...

No I replied I do not think I will be taking this, it is not right. I took a closer look at the pill it said HALDOLOL - which is an anti psychotic!

I laughed and explained to the nurse that no I was not in need of HALDOLOL - and could she please go check the records.

She came back red in the face and thanked me for looking at the meds as the pharmacy had mis read the doctors handwriting!

yet one more reason to check, double check and check again!!!

Be careful out there!

Lisa

[Sarah]

Yeah, but it would NOT have been a funny story if you simply taken your medication. I've seen what Hadolol does to people and it isn't pretty.

I've been offered deformed medication (capsule casing melted), expired medication, two kinds of beta-blockers within two hours, overlapping two different kinds of blood thinner (this one I wasn't able to catch as it was an IV and I didn't question it), and those were all in the hospital. In the pharmacy, I've had doctors write scripts for doses that didnt' exist and also been given a pill of 0.2 potentcy when I was supposed to get 0.02 --which I caught and they refused to believe me, but I dug in my heels.

If you aren't comfortable confronting the nurses, have someone with you who will double check what they are giving you with a list you prepared earlier. If the doctor makes any changes, write them down while you are in front of him/her and confirm you have it right so you can double check later.

[Lisa Salberg]

good point Sarah -
Also a point to remember is to keep a long with you while inpatient. You may have medications that alter your memory - so if you write down everything you are taking it is less likely that you will double your meds or take something that you do not need.

Be careful out there!

Lisa

[Toogoofy317]

I had a similar experience with pharmacist. My cardiologist prescribed me a beta-blocker and then another medication to counter act the decrease in blood pressure. He told me to take them both at once. When I took the scripts to the pharmacy they were out of one and told me I could go ahead and take the beta-blocker without it. I did and my BP bottomed out I had to be rushed to the hospital and it was not fun!

From now on if I get an answer I don't like from the pharmacy I call the Dr. and verify

Mary S.