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How can I tell if I was prescribed the wrong medication by my Virginia doctor?

Prescription drug errors are an all-too-common form of medical malpractice in Virginia. As many as 100,000 patients are given the wrong medications every year, and these errors can cause anything from painful side effects to unnecessary deaths.

There are many different kinds of prescription drug mistakes, including:

• Improper Dosage. Sometimes patients are given the correct medication, but not the proper amount. This can cause a strain on the liver or kidneys, or even prove fatal.
• Drug Allergies. A health professional should always do a thorough check for any allergies before prescribing a medication, as an allergic reaction can have serious consequences.
• Double dosing. If proper procedures are not followed, a patient could receive extra doses of his medication. This can often happen to patients that rely on daily care, such as admitted or elderly patients.
• Conflict of interest. Doctors may receive samples of new medications from drug companies in an effort to boost the drug’s sales. Remember: your doctor’s first priority should be what’s best for you, not what’s best for business. If you believe your doctor is guilty of a conflict of interest that put your health at risk, call the trusted Virginia medical malpractice attorneys at Shevlin Smith today for a free consultation.
• Combining medications. Your doctor should check which medications you are taking before prescribing new ones that can cause adverse reactions when combined.
• Overprescribing. If you are taking too many medications, or have a weakened system due to age, recent surgery or health problems, too many medications can put a strain on your body that may cause further health issues.
• Unnecessary side effects. There are many different medications a doctor can prescribe for a single symptom. Your doctor should be sure the one he prescribes is right for you, and will not contribute to health problems later in life.

Not all prescription errors carry dire consequences; sometimes the error is caught in time, or the patient is able to recover from the side effects. But those who are particularly at risk are those who are the most vulnerable—such as children, the elderly, and patients receiving long-term care. Each patient is at risk in a number of ways: children may receive incorrect doses in Virginia hospitals that are too large for their systems to handle, resulting in unnecessary overdose. Elderly patients, because they are often on many medications, may suffer drug combination symptoms that their bodies do not have the strength to combat. Admitted patients may be comatose or unresponsive during their stay, and unable to properly report their condition.

Regardless of the situation, your doctor is ultimately responsible to administer the correct prescription as part of his dedication to your health. If someone you love has been the victim of a medication error, call Shevlin Smith today at (703) 591-0067 for a free consultation on your medical malpractice case.

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