When doctors make prescription errors, patients are in serious danger. They could suffer significant harm, and they may have no way to anticipate the risk. If a doctor or a nurse gives them a cup with a few pills in it while they’re in the hospital, the patient is going to assume that they can safely take that medication. But if the staff made a mistake, it could have severe ramifications.
One example of this is mixing drugs within the same class. For example, both oxycodone and hydrocodone are forms of opioids. They are painkillers. Used individually, they may be very beneficial. But if a patient is accidentally given both drugs at the same time, that could lead to an accidental overdose.
Are there other types of interactions?
Yes, there can be a variety of different interactions. In some cases, the body has trouble processing the drugs. This is why you can’t drink alcohol while taking some medications. Both substances have to be processed by your liver and it can cause damage to use them both at the same time.
Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration notes that some drug interactions will lower the effectiveness of the medication. So a patient may not overdose or have any outwardly dangerous symptoms. But if the medication is rendered less effective, the patient doesn’t get the treatment that they expected, and their condition can worsen. In this way, the prescription error still causes harm.
Seeking compensation for medical malpractice
Have you or your loved one suffered from medical malpractice? If so, be sure you know what legal steps to take as you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, lost future earnings and more.
