Medical errors have doubled between 2000 and 2012.
1. Heart drugs are the biggest problems. Beta blockers and Calcium Channel Blockers cause 20.6% of the mistakes.
2. Pain drugs and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are involved in 12% of the mistakes.
3. Insulin Make sure you take the long acting one in the morning,
The short acting one should be taken at night.
4, Taking multiple drugs at a time can be problematic. Check with your pharmacist about all the drugs you are taking to see if there are any contraindications or toxicities. Many people receive prescriptions from more than one physician. Tell your pharmacist about any over the counter drugs you are taking also.
Be careful of drinking or eating grapefruit when you take certain drugs.
Ask your pharmacist if they can dispense your medications in a punch out bubble pack, to prevent your taking more doses than you were prescribed.
As a pharmacist, I can tell you that most of these problems can be prevented.
by Dr. Earl Mindell