What would you do if this happened to you? Is this one of the horror stories you hear on the news?

Question

Or really nothing to worry about. I went to my local Walgreen's today to get my Doxipen 10 mg. refilled. I take 2 at night for fibromyalgia. When I got my medicine the pharmacist said that the last time they filled this medication they gave me 100 mg caps. my mistake (in other words I have been taking 200 mg instead of 20 mg. per night). She told me since they made the mistake that they would not charge me for this prescription. I was just in shock and did not know what to say and went to my local doctor where he ran some liver and kidney test on me. (the doctor that prescribed this drug is from out of town). I called him when I got home and they are to call me later. I can not believe they let me take 100 times the amount I was suppose to for a whole month!! What would you do if this happened to you?

Answer 1

A Liver study and kidney test is crucial as the drugs are processed in the Liver and would then flush through the kidneys.  I would now wonder if you will respond to the Doxipen when now reduced to the normal dosage again?  For Fibromyaligia patients they use SSRI's and other Anti-depressants in low dosages to treat the signs and symptoms of chronic pain and loss of REM sleep.  Those same drugs are used in higher dosages to treat depression often in dosages of 150 mgs to 300 mgs.  So actually you should be fine.  I am also surprised that you did not get an increased heart rate- fluttering in your chest or dizziness with the dosage change?   One side effect to that drug is to have loss or reduced urination from it, you would have noticed that though.  Well, I would just wait for the liver study and kidney test results.  Drink lots of water to flush out any residual.  

P.S please note that with many anti-depressants you have to taper-up to get to the higher dosages as well as taper down when getting off the drug.   That is why they would do a liver study and kidney test.

Answer 2

First find out any possible effects this might have on me. It might be fine.  Don't over react until you hear from your doctor.

Answer 3

I would have talked to the pharmacist, most of the time they know more about medication than a doctor.

Answer 4

Doxipen is a mild mood altering drug used to treat Anxiety and Depression. The recommended starting dose is 75 mg at bed time, although patients with mild symptoms may be given less. 30mg is the recommended minimum dose, and 300 mg is the recommended maximum daily dose. The most common side effect at high doses is mild constipation.

I'm not sure why the Dr you saw did liver and kidney tests - nothing in the literature sems to link it to anything related to either of those.

From the published literature I'd say you have nothing to worry about. The level required for overdose symptoms is several thousand mg, in one dose. To take enough to harm you you'd almost have to go onto a Doxipen diet (and, given the constipation side effects....... that could be uncomfortable!)

Richard

Answer 5

it's 10 times, not 100 times.

You should speak with your doctor, but if there were any long terms side effects, you will need to speak to a lawyer.

However, some pills are not necessarily hazardous at elevated dosages, so check first, don't panic about it.