Risky Errors on Rise With Sound-Alike Drugs

Study finds prescription mix-ups more than doubled since 2004

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 30, 2008 9:24 AM CST

(Newser) – The problem of drug-name mix-ups is growing in the US, with harmful and sometimes even fatal consequences for patients, USA Today reports. A study undertaken by the group that regulates generic drug names found that the rate of mix-ups has more than doubled since 2004. In one case, a 7-year-old boy ended up in the emergency room after being given schizophrenia drug Zyprexa instead of the allergy drug Zyrtec.

Researchers found twice as many pairs of drugs with similar names last year than in 2004. The groups recommends that pharmacists separate drugs with similar generic or brand names to avoid confusion. They also suggest labeling changes to highlight differences between names, and using simple language in prescriptions.

A selection of prescription drugs, including Allegra, Zyprexa, Levitra, Cialis and Lipitor are shown in an Indianapolis pharmacy, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (Associated Press)

Bottles of prescription medications move along a production line at Medco Health Solutions, Inc.'s Willingboro Dispensing Pharmacy in this Feb. 28, 2006 file photo in Willingboro, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel... (Associated Press)

Pharmacist Salvatore Ciolino, Jr. reaches for a prescription bottle at a Gloucester, Mass. pharmacy, Friday, Dec. 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Lisa Poole) (Associated Press)

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Risky Errors on Rise With Sound-Alike Drugs

Study finds prescription mix-ups more than doubled since 2004

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Edited info could mislead those prescribing meds

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

prescription drugs • generic drugs • pharmaceutical • prescription

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

'Tattletale Pill' Reports When Patients Eat It

Tiny microchip helps keep tabs on medication

Anna Nicole Had Lesbian Affair With Drug-Happy Shrink

Pharmacists refused to fill drug cocktail order for Smith doc Khristine Eroshevich

FDA Approves Drug Made From Gene-Tweaked Goats

Landmark decision could signal start of large-scale 'pharming' for drugs

Drug Companies Hide Data From Docs

Edited info could mislead those prescribing meds

FDA Promises More Generics

Commits to reviewing applications faster

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Newser By Users

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