Posted by jay on February 13, 2003, at 21:40:41
In reply to Re: Lousy MD handwriting, posted by paxvox on February 13, 2003, at 18:50:40
Yes this has been a widespread problem, (it happened to me a number of years ago with Buspar...and I got a blood pressure lowering med instead...but caught it before I left the store) but things are changing, and I know as both here in Canada and the U.S. Here are a few tips:
-Many doctors have turned to computer printouts for prescriptions (mine has)..and I read many HMO's in the U.S. are going this way. It is the size of a regular piece of printout paper, (usually laser printer), has the name of the doc at the top..the script instructions in the middle, and name and then the signature at the bottom. It's big and bulky, but clear and can save lives and guessing.
-Until this happens, if it is a new prescription you can't read, ask your doctor to print it out for you. Then take it to your pharmacy and double check the label on what they give you.
-If you had the med before..also check what the pill looks like before you swallow it.(never just open the bottle and pop it in your mouth without a look) Get a good medication reference book to cross-check the pill with.
Jay
poster:jay
thread:200131
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030208/msgs/200240.html