How do I know if a pill given to me by a pharmacist is actually what I was prescribed?

Question

I had filled my Allegra prescription at a Walgreens in my college's hometown, and when I picked it up, the pill looked different than normal. I called my mom and described it and she said it should be ok. I took the pill for a few days, but it wasn't easing my allergies at all. Yesterday, I refilled my prescription at a CVS in my hometown, and it looked the same as it always did. Is there a phone number I can call to see if it was in fact Allegra, or should I just call my allergist?

Answer 1

I am a pharmacist and if you ever have doubt what something is, bring it back to the pharmacy and ask them if it is right. The other thing you can do is call your local poison control and they can identify the drug by the numbers or letters on the tablet. The problem with taking it to another company is that if it is a generic, they might not carry that brand and therefore have no clue what it is.

Answer 2

I think you should ask your pharmacist at CVS. Walgreen's probably used a generic type. Also, Google generic alternative to Allegra and hit images and see if the pill you were given shows up.

Answer 3

there is absolutely no way to know for sure without consulting someone. let this be a warning. doctors aren't all smart. just as we have idiots in our workforce we have idiots in the medical field. My girlfriend went to the doctor for congestion. simple enough right? obviously not. we got a call from the pharmacy saying "i'm sorry we can't fill this medication. It's not a real medicine." the pharmacist actually said it looked like the doctor just made it up.

not very comforting is it?

but anyway, go to your current pharmacist and show him the medicine. if it is a wrong medicine and your the type of person you could probably sue. i always said that was dumb but hey, it's either them or me huh? they'd sue if i owed them 100 dollars, so why not sue over them for making a major mistake and playing with your health.

Answer 4

Go to
http://www.drugs.com/images.php?action=search&q=Allegra&I1=Search
and see if your pill resembles any of these.

This website may not have image of the latest version of a pill, so if you don't see it here, don't panic. Pay a visit to the pharmacy with your pills

You can almost always find images of your prescription pill (prescribed in USA) here
http://www.drugs.com/images.php

Answer 5

Generic medications from different manufacturors look different. That Walgreens might have bought one generic, and the CVS bought another. Fexofenadine has a pink generic version and a white generic one.

Answer 6

on the pamphlet that you received there should be a picture of the pill with a description of the color, markings on the tablet, and the name of the medication. you can always double check with the pharmacist before taking. also try pill identifier.com you can put in the physical decription of the tablet and they will give you the name of the medication and the company that makes it.

Answer 7

bring on of the pills into CVS and ask them..alot of times they give you a generic form which the pill will look different ut still the same but sometimes not as effective

Answer 8

You should really check with the pharmacist. A mistake could have been made, and it does happen from time to time. If that's the case, they NEED to know.

Answer 9

there have to be a letter by your medication. otherwise you can search is on the Internet or go back to your pharmacist and ask him

Answer 10

How do i know that the burger i just ordered at the restaurant wasnt dropped in the toilet before they placed it on the grill.

Blind faith.