pharmacy/prescription troubles???

Question

SORRY...this is a bit long winded. any help would be great!!!

a pharmacy (new to the one we normally use) has made a mistake on our sons melatonin capsules.
he is autistic and needs them too sleep, his normal dose is 3mgs a night. if he wakes later in the evening then we can give him another...taking the dose to a maximum 6mgs a night!!
(although this is usually not often, 3mgs works most nights)

however....the pharmacy has given us 6mg capsules with the instructions..'take TWO at night'??
if i hadn't been alarmed at the size of the capsule i would have followed the instructions as indicated and he would have had 12mgs!!!!!!
i've contacted the people in corncern, they were quite abrupt and said that it was OK???!!!!!! they would sort it out tomorrow????
melatonin is unlisted in the UK and i'm very concerned that he could have overdosed!! is 12mgs dangerous for a child (6) ?

SHOULD I TAKE IT FUTHER?? DOES ANYONE KNOW WHO I CAN COMPLAIN TOO??

sorry just to clear this up....in the UK melatonin IS a prescribed drug as it is yet unlicenced in the UK. there are few chemists that stock it and most people i know have to get it from the hospital.

the label clearly said
60 Meletonin Capsules 3 mgs
take TWO before bedtime.
i'm sorry but WHO has the time to sit and count the pills in a bottle??????

thanks pinkie...
bedfordshire...LU2
you can email me....lines open x x

stone angel and rachel...thank you for your kind words...

i'm calmer now but earlier i was having a BIG HISSY FIT!!!

lululululu... thats what made me the most angry!!!! i almost gave him two...if it had been my nan taking something then maybe it would have had a worse outcome!!

Answer 1

hi I'm sorry that this has happened to you this is extremely serious, firstly i would have a word with the manager at the pharmacy and explain that you are not happy with what has happened, i would also make a copy of the label that was put on the bottle just as proof i would also contact your local pct (primary care trust) or health authority and discuss this with them, however i would also ask to see the prescription that you took to the pharmacy and make sure that it doesn't say take 2 6mg at night, it might be a mistake from your doctor, however if the prescription does have your normal dose on it and it is the pharmacies fault you need to take it further. whoever the fault lies with this really is not good at all I'm not sure if 12mg would be dangerous with your child but i will find out 2morrow for you and i will find out any more information for you also if you could add where abouts you are living and i will get the pct's number for you! i will write 2 Moro don't forget to make a copy of the label before you take them back or take a photograph just for your own proof hope i have helped i know everyone one makes mistakes but if you were not happy with thier attitude i would definitly take it further but however a pharmasist should have noticed the mistake! also if it was a capsule then you would not have been able to cut it in half so therefore he would have had to go without it am i correct? xxxxx

Answer 2

Who actually made the mistake? Did your doctor make a mistake writing the prescription or was the pharmacy at fault for filling it out wrong? You will have to go to the pharmacy tomorrow to collect the 3mg capsules and return the 6mg ones. When you go in, ask to speak to the pharmacist in charge. Explain what has happened and tell them how concerned you were as your child is only six. If you can manage, also tell them that you were upset by the abruptness of the staff when you initially phoned. I can understand mistaking 6mg for 3mg capsules but the directions were different as well which makes me wonder if it was the doctor that wrote the prescription wrong. The pharmacist will be able to tell you.
If you are unsure whether they are aware of the proper dosage, try a search engine like google and find out tonight before you go.Was there any literature in with the capsules? If there was, you'll get info in that.
If the prescription was written wrongly, complain to your doctor.

Answer 3

Melatonin can be purchased over the counter in the US in 3mg 6mg and 9mg doses, so your son is probably in no danger. It is also possible the doctor wrote a new prescription and called the pharmacy. I would wait until you get all of the facts before making a big deal about this. I would first ask the pharmacist to see the original prescription, then I would talk to the doctor who wrote the prescription just to make sure all the facts are straight. If after that you are not satisfied, then a lawyer would be the next person to talk to.

Answer 4

hi, yes that dose seems too high. my son (11 yrs and severe autism) only has 3mg tablets (capsules don't seem to have the same effect) i was told by a proffessional that the maximum dose we could go to is 12mg's if only absolutely necessary. nhs direct will only check on website and say that as it is something that is unlicenced in the UK they can't advice on it? you need to speak to ur G.P. asap and don't give your child any of the new capsules till then.As for the pharmacy they were very negligent and should have been checking previous prescriptions perhaps getting in touch with who you have used before!!
sorry don't know who to report it to but try G.P. or at least some one in charge at the practice first ( is there a governing body for pharmist's you could find out to talk to ) sorry not much help.
please let me know how you get on!!!

Answer 5

Firstly, if he has had double his normal dose I would contact NHS Direct immediately, just to find out if there are any risks. Secondly, I would demand to speak to the Pharmacy Manager, and if I got a bad response I would go to the Store Manager, then so on until you get to the top of the chain. This is your son's health they are messing around with, luckily you noticed, but what if they give an elderly or confused person the wrong dosage? It could lead to tragedy.

Make a fuss and don't be intimidated, they messed up and should take responsibility for it. Good Luck.

Answer 6

Melatonin is an over the counter supplement. This is not something regulated by the pharmacies and also this is something you should have noticed right away when you picked up the supplement. I was not even aware that you could buy melatonin in 6 mg doses. The highest I have every seen so far on the shelves is 5mg tablets. The amount is not dangerous per say as it is only a supplement and not a medication.

Answer 7

Trust me, lethal doses of medication are never even close to reached in a prescription. Of course you can take it further, just cut the pills in half, a lot of prescriptions are actually filled that way.

You can complain to their manager but trust me, as scary is it seems, little mix ups on prescriptions are extreemly common.

Answer 8

i have an autistic daughter hunny,so i know how you feel. complain to the head of pharmacy,and also write a letter to their head office. giving a child that high a dose could have put him in a coma if he is only used to a 3mg dose. what in gods name were they thinking. unfortunately my daughter will not take any medications what so ever,so its not an option for us unfortunately. she doesn't sleep until gone 1 o'clock and she's up with the birds in the morning. you might also try telling your doctor as well sweety. he should be able to give you better advice on who to complain to.don't let them get away with it sweety,as they might do the same to someone Else's child,and they may not be as vigilant as you were,thankfully. best of luck for you and your son sweety. take care xx

Answer 9

Mistakes can happen, even in the best of pharmacies.
Your first course of action is to speak to the pharmacist in charge.

He/she will undoubtedly make amends to you and ensure that such an error does not recur.

Answer 10

Maybe it's time-release? Check out the websites below.