4 POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS OF A PRESCRIPTION ERROR – INSIGHTS FROM A LOUISVILLE INJURY LAWYER

Despite advancements in medical care, pharmacy errors still happen at an alarming rate. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, at least one person dies every day – and another 1.3 million suffer injuries – due to medication mistakes.

The side effects of a pharmacy error can vary widely. Some patients suffer life-threatening illnesses or cognitive decline. Four common complications include:

1. Adverse reactions;

2. Accidents;

3. Addiction;

4. And mental and physical decline.

If you or a loved one was the victim of a pharmacy error in Kentucky, contact the Troutman Law Office. Matt Troutman is a personal-injury attorney in Louisville will can evaluate your case, interview witnesses, gather evidence, structure your claim and handle settlement negotiations on your behalf.

Call 502-805-0321 to schedule a free case evaluation. You can also visit medical-malpractice.usattorneys.com/kentucky/ to learn more about medical malpractice in Kentucky.

Here is a brief overview of four common problems that arise from medication errors:

1. Adverse Reactions

   • The side effects of a medication error depend on many factors, one of the most important being the type of drug. Opioids can cause breathing problems and cognitive issues. Tranquilizers and sedatives can cause seizures and memory loss. Stimulants can contribute to cardiac arrest, convulsions and irregular heartbeat.

   • You may be able to avoid these complications by:

     • Confirming the medication name is correct;

     • Confirming your name is correct on the medication label;

     • Confirming the medication has not expired;

     • And asking your doctor and pharmacist if a medication will have adverse interactions with your current medicines, supplements and vitamins.

2. Accidents

   • Sometimes pharmacists mix up two drugs because they have similar names, or they confuse patient names. There errors can cause a person to take a medication that was intended for another patient.

   • This can lead to deadly accidents if the drug causes unexpected drowsiness while driving or operating heavy machinery.

3. Addiction

   • Addiction is a serious risk with some medications such as opioids. A person’s risk of addiction depends on several factors such as dosage, genetics, and frequency of delivery. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, some medications require that patients are strictly monitoredf and gradually weaned off.

   • If a doctor prescribes a patient a dosage that is too high, the patient may face an unnecessarily high risk of addiction. This can affect every aspect of a person’s life including his or her relationships and job. It can also lead to criminal behavior to acquire the finances to support the addiction.

4. Mental and Physical Decline

   • Some prescriptions directly affect mental and physical performance. They can make it difficult to concentrate and attend work or school. Sometimes these effects are permanent. This can happen if a pharmacist gives a person the wrong medication either by mixing up patient names or medication names.

If you or a loved one suffered the consequences of a medication error, contact the Troutman Law Office. Matt Troutman is a Louisville injury lawyer who will help you avoid mistakes during the claims process such as accepting a low settlement offer. Call to schedule a free case evaluation.