HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Careful of your doctors medications

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/4/2010 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
skull  On my last visit to my doctor, he gave me a prescription that has not been approved by the FDA. This item was, Ondansetron odt.  IT is used for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Thanks to Walgreens for catching this mistake.  My question is that how come the doctor did not know about this and just up to date is he on his knowledge of medications? This has me upset on the matter of can i really believe in my doctor after this mistake? Ondansetron odt was denied because the use is not supported by the FDA or one of the Medicare approved references for treating my medical condition. Walgreens gave me a refill on a different medication that another had approved for my nausea and vomiting after postop.  One really needs to be careful of medications and really be glad that they have a place like walgreens that watchs out for you.
Posted 10/4/2010 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Greyghost,
It's possible that the doctor had the wrong information or had mistaken the drug for another one he was thinking of; doctors are human and do make mistakes. Fortunately the medical system is set up with checks and balances to make sure that drugs aren't given out incorrectly and proper treatments are provided. Nurses, Pharmacists, and other doctors all exist so that if a doctor makes a mistake (for whatever reason) it is noticed and proper action is taken, such as the pharmacist giving you a different drug instead.

If you're really upset with the Doctor let him know but very likely the pharmacist already gave him a good talking to.
Posted 10/4/2010 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sirkit for your reply. This medication is for people that have stomach cancer and are being treated for it. To the best of my knowledge, i do not have stomach cancer. On 9/01/10 i had a hitial hernia repair and a 270 degree stomach wrap done and i was then on a little white pill for nausea and vomiting. My doctor thought this new drug of Ondansetron odt would be better for me, for some unknown reason of which on 10/12/10 i hope to find out (my next visit ) I know that doctors are human and that they can make a mistake on there part - but what would have happened had i been able to get this medication not approved by the FDA??? and i had taken it? Really something to think about. Thanks Greyghost
Posted 10/4/2010 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor did something similar like that. He forgot that a medicine he perscribed would reaction with another I was on. My pharamacist caught it and called him for a change.
Sometimes it happens.
Posted 10/5/2010 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi GREYGHOST,
There are times when doctors prescribe medications for off label purposes. During those times, pharmacists are a great resource. My doc prescribed something to help thin mucous, and the pharmacist could not find that use for the drug. Later he called me and said he had looked into it further and found that use. I decided not to fill it, but it is something that happens.
It is always best to be your own advocate and educate yourself regarding anything you put into your body. Good catch!
Denise
Posted 10/6/2010 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Couchtater and dencha - Thanks for your reply. I am still not able to eat soft foods for some unknown reason, without them wanting to come back up on me. It has been 36 days since my surgery and it is very hard to remain on a full liquid diet - when you are use to eating what you want. This is the hardest part in this after surgery recovery - you remain hungery ! I still have questions about my doctor and his surgery and just what was really done inside of me. One wants to believe that they know what they are doing, but in the real respect of life when we are under in the operating room, just how do we really know what they are doing inside of us? Just what are the chances for a mistake on there part? Even if a mistake was made, would they admit it? According to my doctor, the operation went fine and i should be eating soft foods by now and this is what bothers me the most - i can not - so what is wrong with my insides, that i can not do this? 10/12/10 my next visit with my doctor - plenty of questions to ask him and hope for some relief.
Posted 10/6/2010 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with the visit. Hopefully it's a minor thing that's easy to find a solution.
Posted 10/6/2010 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi GREYGHOST,
You probably already thought of this, but be sure to write down every question you have and take the paper with you. Then you can be sure to ask everything. It is easy to forget in the stress of the moment.

We'll definitely want to hear what he has to say to you. It is not typical to be unable to swallow soft foods at this point in your recovery, so your frustration is justified. If you can take someone with you to listen to your questions and the answers your surgeon provides, you'll have another set of ears to interpret what is said. That person could also bring a clipboard and write the answers down for you.

Good luck, and let us know what happens!
Denise
Posted 10/6/2010 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
GREYGHOST,

Ondansetron AKA Zofran has been used for years as a preop medication and postop medication.  In patients where nausea and/or vomiting must be avoided postoperatively, ZOFRAN Injection is recommended even where the incidence of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting is low. This drug is approved by the FDA.

I have received this medication from the GI Doctor pre-procedure as well at the Oral surgeon as a pre-procedure.  I get very nauseated and dizzy from anesthsia of any kind. My husband had surgery for Crohn's Disease in February and Zofran was used for his postop nausea.  

I suspect the problem was caused because Medicare prefers you to use a cheaper medications such as Compazine and Phenergan.

The 5-HT>3 antagonists are the newest and most expensive antiemetics. The three primary agents—Zofran, Anzemet, and Kytril—have similar efficacy. Cost of a 10 mg Companzine tablet $0.30 Cost of 4 mg Zofran Tablet $10.80 These prices are from an online pharmacyare  table and will vary from Pharmacy to Pharmacy. 

This is just my 2 cents worth.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 10/7/2010 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Couchtater and Dencha : I always have a friend going with me to these doctors appointments - just in case something is said or done that i might have missed, then i have an extra set of ears. He also agrees that something has to be wrong on the inside of me after this surgery. There is no reason that i should not be able to have soft foods and be able to keep them down, without the urge to vomit them back up. I hope that on 10/12/10, i shall be able to get some needed answers. Shall keep you informed. Thanks Greyghost.
Posted 10/7/2010 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Your welcome Greyghost.
Posted 10/7/2010 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the headsup, I always make a point of checking what I am taking, usually through pharmacy websites. I was given a prescription for Flucloxacilin for my 13 year old son last year, one tablet four times daily. The pharmacist messed up, and gave me Fluoxatine (Prozac) instead. The tablets were meant for an adult to take once per day, but by the time I had returned from work and found the box, he had already taken three. That is 3X the daily adult dose. The A&E dept were very concerned, as he had arrhythmia and his pupils were dilated. This stuff can cause seizure, coma, and death! The ONLY reason I stopped him taking it was because I had seen Fluoxatine before and knew it wasn't antibiotics. Had I not caught on to this, he would have taken 4X daily for a week.

Ever since then I double check my meds. Don't leave it to the "professionals". This stuff could have killed my son.
Posted 10/7/2010 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
My Doctor started me on a new medication once to replace one I was taking.  He Rx mg per mg with the old drug and I was overdosed and ended up in the hospital ER and staying overnight as an inpatient.  He was very sorry when he learned what happened but I agree advocate for yourself and now I look up normal doses,  route of administration and uses for  all my meds.  Back then I just trusted - and I am sure I was charged for the Dr's appointment.  shakehead

Kindly,

Kitt

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply