Mix-ups on medication happen when events occur that cause inappropriate ingestion or use of medications. It may be as simple as taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol while already taking a prescribed medication that also has acetaminophen. The added dosage could damage the liver. Or it could be as serious as the pharmacist giving the wrong medication or the wrong dosage. All of these dangerous scenarios are referred to as adverse drug events.
There are 1.3 million people injured annually by medication mistakes. The National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention defines a medical error as “any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient or consumer.”
The United States Food and Drug Administration reviews medication error reports via MedWatch, a safety and information reporting program that will take anonymous tips from patients. The agency also gets reports from drug manufacturers and from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices and the U.S. Pharmacopeia.
Most medication errors can be prevented, but it takes a pro-active approach by the patient and some careful attention to what is being taken and how it should be scheduled. It is wise to always ask questions of the doctor, pharmacist, nurse and any other attendants, and always keep everyone in the loop on any others medications being consumed.