Medical Malpractice and Medication Errors

Commonly Prescribed Medications

Over 70% of the population is taking some form of medication. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common types of medications prescribed include:

• Analgesics or painkillers, such as Percocet or oxycodone
• Antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin and Zoloft
• Antihyperlipidemic agents, used to treat issues with cholesterol levels, such as statins and niacin

In addition to these, among the medications hospitals and emergency rooms most frequently prescribe include anti-diabetic medicines, and medicines to reduce dizziness and nausea. Health problems due to these medications can include poisoning, adverse side effects, and damages to organs and tissues.

Common Medication Errors

According the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a medication error is any kind of inappropriate use or harmful effect resulting in damages or injuries to the patient. Over the last decade, the FDA has received reports of over 95,000 medication errors in the U.S. alone. Medication errors may happen due to a number of reasons, including:

• Miscommunication of drug orders due to illegible handwriting
• Confusion on the part of hospital staff or pharmacies due to similar sounding drug names
• Poor packaging design
• Improper dosage
• Dangerous interactions with other drugs being prescribed

Often, several of these factors come into play when an injury has resulted due to medication errors.

Protect Yourself Against Medical Errors

For consumers, it’s increasingly important to be vigilant about the type of healthcare they receive. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) advises that there are several steps to protect yourself against medical errors. These include:

• Know your medicines. Know what medicines you’re taking, and at what amounts
• Read labels carefully. Make sure the medicine you are taking has your name and correct information on it, and follow dosing guideline
• Ask questions, such as reasons the medication is prescribed, if there are any dangerous side effects or symptoms you need to be aware of, and if there are any dangerous interactions with other drugs you are taking

Medication Errors? Call Our Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney

For a free legal consultation, call 803-222-2222

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to medication errors, contact our experienced South Carolina medical malpractice attorney today. At Anastopoulo Law Firm with offices in Charleston and throughout South Carolina, we’ll review your case for free, and help you to recover damages due to injuries caused by medications. Your health and welfare is important, so don’t hesitate. Call us today.