Don't trust directions printed on Rx
Question:
For me this throws into doubt the whole issue of RX prescribers competence. It goes to prove how much trust we have to place in our Physicians when they prescribe drugs to us. It is worrying that we rely so heavily on our Docs to ensure that we are given the right drugs in the right concentrations and at the right intervals. Bearing in mind how many thousands of drugs there are (and so tens of thousands of potential dosages and administation options) it’s a real worry that they would get it right every time. The most annoying wording they can use is "take as directed". You are then relying on your recall of a verbal exchange with your Physician that is not supported by a second opinion/safety measure from your pharmacist. It’s not so much of a problem when taking one or maybe two prescitptions, but when there are sufferers juggling multiple prescriptions around their medicine cupboard, mistakes are bound to happen. http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=1853130 Regards Nick http:/www.skincell.org
Response:
Don’t trust directions printed on Rx’s. My dermatologist recently gave me prescriptions for Tazorac 0.1% and for Olux Foam. My plaque areas had gotten pretty thick and new plaque would replace the old within three days of the old sloughing off. On both prescription labels it clearly says to use daily as needed. When I asked the pharmacist how I was supposed to use them he recommended first applying the Tazorac cream and then the Olux Foam on top of it every day. Today just for the heck of it and to see if I should use either in the crease area of the groin or on my face I called the doctor’s office. They returned my call and said that he intended for me to use Tazorac one day and Olux the next on an ongoing basis until the Tazorac causes irritation. He said I should not use either one on my face or in the groin creases where I have inverse psoriasis. I am to continue to use Desowen in those areas and Polysporin in the groin creases when there may be a secondary infection. In other words, when in doubt call the doctor. Now I am wondering if he wrote the wrong directions on the original prescription or if the pharmacist misread them. You can believe I will ask the pharmacist to dig out the original Rx and show it to me (and read it if the dr’s Rx is illegible).
Response:
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