Pregnant Woman Accidentally Given Abortion Drug

A pregnant woman in Colorado was accidentally given a drug intended for another woman whose last name was the same. The drug, methotrexate, is used for chemotherapy in cancer and is also prescribed as an abortion drug. After taking the medication and becoming ill, the woman discovered the pharmacy mix-up. She was treated at hospital, but could still suffer miscarriage or have a child born with birth defects.

It appears this was an instance of the pharmacist mixing up two prescriptions, but the patient herself could have prevented this tragic accident if she had read the bottle thoroughly before taking the pills. Medication errors happen more often than most of us realize, and although we would like to trust our health care professionals we must be our own last line of defense against medication error.

Avoid Medication Error: At the Doctor's Office

When your doctor gives you a prescription, be sure it is legible. You should be able to clearly make out your name and the date, the name and dosage of the medication ordered, and the number of repeats if applicable. Some doctors are now using a computer program to print out prescriptions, to eliminate mix-ups that can result from poor penmanship. Before you leave the office, read over the prescription with your doctor. If the prescription isn't legible, or the doctor made an error in the name or dose of the medication this step will help you catch it.

Avoid Medication Error: At the Pharmacy

Your pharmacist is the real expert in medications. Be sure to choose a knowledgeable professional who takes the time to go over the details with you. Contrary to what you might think, being a pharmacist is not a simple matter of counting out the right number of pills and printing out a label for the bottle. Pharmacists regularly spot incorrect dosages - such as an adult dose prescribed for a child - or drugs that could create health problems because of a patient's other medications or existing medical conditions. Be sure your pharmacist has a complete history, and always let him know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The pharmacist should also be aware of over the counter drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements you use. Any one of these might interact with your new prescription drug; the pharmacist may recommend you change or discontinue supplements, or may call your doctor to suggest a more suitable medication for you.

Ask the pharmacist to go over the prescription with you, if they do not routinely do so. This should involve checking your name on the prescription bottle and the name of the medication, as well as what the medication is for. This helps to avoid mix-ups like the one with the pregnant woman who accidentally received an abortion drug instead of the antibiotic her doctor prescribed.

If this is your first time taking the drug, the pharmacist should go over the major side effects and precautions with you, and tell you when and how to take the drug. You should also receive a printed drug information sheet with more details. If you have questions or concerns, this is the time to ask about them. Many pharmacies now have a private area where the patient can meet with the pharmacist for this purpose.

Avoid Medication Error: At Hom

When you get home, read your drug information sheet completely and double check your medication before you take it. Be sure your name is printed on the bottle, and that the drug and dosage information are correct. The information on your information printout and pill bottle should match.

If you are familiar with the medication, look to see if the drug looks the way you remember it. You can also check online for images and product monographs, if you want to be extra safe. If you are unsure about anything, call your doctor or pharmacist before taking the drug. Your pharmacy's phone number should be right on the bottle.

Sources:

Mark Berman, "Pharmacist accidentally gives pregnant woman abortion drug."

Ryan Christopher DeVault, "Pregnant woman given abortion drug in Safeway pharmacy mix-up." Yahoo! Contributor Network

"Pregnant woman gets abortion drug in pharmacy mix-up." CTV News