Photo: Stock.Xchng

In 2009 the number of medication errors recorded by the NHS had doubled over two years, the Guardian reported. In 2005 36,335 cases were reported, while 86,085 cases occurred in 2007. A hundred of these cases ended in death. While the NHS has since done its best to improve the situation, mistakes with prescriptions do inevitably happen. Here are the most common ones, and how to avoid them.

Confusing medications

Medications could be confused due to a doctor’s bad handwriting, a type-o on the pharmacy’s computer system or a pharmacist pulling the wrong drug from the shelves. The US Medication Error Reporting Program says that up to a quarter of medication mistakes recorded are caused by confusing medications.

To avoid the problem, have your doctor write out not only the name of the drug, but also what it’s used for, on your prescription. This will help your pharmacist pick up any problems.

The wrong dose

When it comes to dosage, a misplaced decimal point or an extra zero could be fatal. A common mistake is when milligrams are mistaken for micrograms. This happens most often with IV drugs administered in hospital, but can happen with medication for outpatients, too.

Make sure you can read the dosage your doctor lists on your prescription. If you can, the pharmacist will be able to, too. As an extra precaution, ask the pharmacist whether the dose you have been prescribed is within the normal range for that medication.

Mixing the wrong medications

All medicine has side-effects, and when two drugs are taken at the same time they impact each other. This can cause serious health problems. A common example is mixing alcohol (which we tend not to consider a drug) with over-the-counter painkillers. Aspirin and ibuprofen, when mixed with alcohol, can cause internal bleeding.

It’s vital that your doctor be aware of all medication you are taking (even supplements), how much you drink and whether you use recreational drugs before choosing the appropriate form of treatment for you.

See a full list of medications that shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol here.

Tags: Medication