what can be done about a pharmacy giving you the wrong Med.?

Question

I recently had a prescription refilled at my local Pharmacy. the same Pharmacy that i have gone to have the same prescription filled several times before. the prescription that had refilled was Stratera, only this time I received Cymbalta instead. I did notice the label but thought it was a generic form. I had noticed several side effects since i have taken the miss filled prescription. one that had threatened my relationship with my wife. I have taken over half of the bottle before i decided to look into the this matter. I did return to the Pharmacy and spoke to the Pharmacist, who was very apologetic and gave me my money back and gave me the correct prescription and agreed to pay my physician Bill if I decided to Go. what about long term effects, liver etc.? what about the side effects i had while on it? after reading about the drug it says you should not start taking full strength (which I did) and should not stop it abruptly (which I did) and wein off.
What is you Opinion?

Answer 1

First I would report the incident to the State Board Of Professional Regulations. Then, I would call an attorney. Sounds like you have a case for damages including pain and suffering. Your mental anguish is considered suffering.

Answer 2

The Illinois state Board of Pharmacy has never disciplined any pharmacist over a misfill. They have disciplined a pharmacist over unprofessional behavior surrounding a patient bringing back a misfilled prescription.
Cymbalta is an anti-depressant. You can get withdrawal when discontinuing it. You shouldn't take it if you have liver problems. The available doses are 20, 30, and 60mg. There have not been reported any significant long term adverse effects, and even if there were some, you were not on the drug long enough for them to show. Common side effects are anorexia, asthenia, appetite decreased, constipation, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, headache, hyperhidrosis, insomnia, nasopharynigitis, nausea, pharyngolaryngeal pain, pollakuria, somnolence, increased sweating, and vomiting.
Successful misfill malpractice cases tend to include death or permanent disability.

Answer 3

When the name on the bottle and the contents inside did not look familiar that is when you should have IMMEDIATELY returned to the pharmacist and checked it out. Medically you should be fine as Cymbalta is merely and antidepressant as well as used for pain control. My problem is the fact that you KNEW the name was wrong and KNEW the drug didn't look right and yet you kept on taking it. Yes the pharmacy was wrong and I am not sure how they let you out of the store with that med as the pharmacist always has to consult with you about the drug before they give you the bag with the med in it and something should have been said right then and there when he told you what the med was.

Answer 4

cymbalta shouldnt be started or stopped suddenly if you are someone who really NEEDS it. I would def go to a VERY GOOD doc and get everything checked out. The pharmacy did offer that. I work at a major chain pharmacy and we always advise patients to make sure to ask any questions if you are not sure. I wouldn't think its really worth suing because people make mistakes and the pharmacist offered to help. If he or she didn't then i would def recommend suing but they are willing to pay for your bills. At the end of the day, you just have to make sure everything is alright with you

Answer 5

Wow! Good thing u caught the mistake. But starting and stopping it are most generally for people with psychotic disorders, due to psychosis. I would definately call the doctor. The pharm is going to pay for it. I doubt any liver/heart disease, you were not on the med long enough. Good Luck!

Answer 6

a lawyer can give you a better and qualified answer, maybe its time to sue!