Brand Name Medication Errors: Name Recognition is No Way to Select Over-the-Counter Meds

As a pharmacist, I worry about the tendency of people to select over-the-counter medications based on name recognition. Medication errors are caused when manufacturers use a brand name that sells well on multiple products, with different ingredients, banking on name recognition to rack up the sales.

People recognize Maalox as an over-the-counter brand name antacid. It is reasonable to expect the brand name Maalox Total Relief to contain an antacid. Instead, it contains the same medication that is in Pepto-Bismol-bismuth subsalicylate. Bismuth subsalicylate can cause harmless side effects of black tongue and black stool, but an ulcer patient with these symptoms may fear a GI bleed and run to the emergency room.

What about Bayer Heart Health Advantage? The brand name Bayer is associated with aspirin products. Some heart patients must take prophylactic daily aspirin. Buying Bayer Heart Health Advantage based on name recognition could cause a serious medication error. It does not contain aspirin. It contains a phytosterol for lowering cholesterol. One seller further increases the chance of medication errors by listing it as Bayer Aspirin, Heart Health Advantage!

Dulcolax is a brand name originally used for the over-the-counter laxative, bisacodyl. However, Dulcolax Balance contains polyethylene glycol. Switching these two products could create a medication error that results in an embarrassing accident. Dulcolax Balance moves the bowels in one-half to three hours, compared to six to 12 hours for the bisacodyl-containing Dulcolax.

Robitussin is a brand name we used to associate with the over-the-counter expectorant, guaifenesin. Robitussin Cough Gels contain dextromethorphan, a cough remedy that works differently than guaifenesin.

Realizing the value of name recognition, Wyeth uses the brand name Robitussin on at least 16 over-the-counter products. These two testimonials appear on the webpages of multiple Robitussin products, regardless of the ingredients:

#1 "I just know that Robitussin works from life experience: It's trustworthy, dependable and familiar. I've had it since I was a child."

#2 "Robitussin's definitely a brand I trust. I remember taking it as a kid."

Summary

Serious medication errors can result from taking one product when you think you are taking another. In my other articles on choosing over-the-counter medications (see supporting links for this article), I've given other examples of manufacturers using brand name recognition to mislead the public. Buying based on brand name is not a safe way to choose over-the-counter medications. Learn to read the ingredient list to make sure you are getting the right product.

Sources:

No author given. Bayer Aspirin, Heart Health Advantage. Drugstore.com.

No author given. Robitussin Products. Wyeth Consumer Healthcare.

No author given. Gastroenterology. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter 2010; 26(4).