Home medication mistakes on a meteoric rise

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From Alan Inglis MD House Calls newsletter


You know the old adage, "You learn from your mistakes." But sometimes you don't get the chance, because some mistakes are fatal.

In fact--way too many.

A recent study shows that deaths from medication mistakes at home rose dramatically in the past two decades. Much of that increase is attributable to prescription painkillers and other potent drugs that, 25 years ago, were given mainly in hospitals.

The findings, based on nearly 50 million U.S. death certificates, show that deaths from medication mistakes at home increased from 1,132 in 1983 to 12,426 in 2004. That's quite a leap. Even taking into account population growth, that's an increase of more than 700 percent. The increase in deaths was highest among baby boomers.

Abuse of prescription drugs plays a sad part in these soaring numbers. But a good many valid prescriptions taken in error, especially narcotics like methadone and oxycodone, account for an increasing number of deaths.

Multiple prescription drugs taken at the same time also play a sinister role. This particular problem has recently received much media attention, with "Dark Knight" actor Heath Ledger dying from an accidental overdose earlier this year, and actress Anna Nicole Smith's death last year attributed in part to a lethal combination of drugs--nine prescription drugs were found in her bloodstream.

Part of the problem is that patients are taking more medications from multiple doctors and pharmacies. Doctors need to spend the necessary time with their patients to get the full medication profile and explain the risks of mixing medications--which can literally be a lethal cocktail. And it wouldn't hurt if states required pharmacists to teach patients about dangerous drugs--and having the insurers pay pharmacists to do so.

While doctors and pharmacists have a responsibility to educate their patients, education doesn't stop as soon as you leave their office or head out the door of the pharmacy or hospital. I urge my patients to take charge of their medical care. Arm yourself with knowledge. Don't assume your doctor and pharmacist have all the information and time they need to ensure the safety of your medication therapy--important things can be missed. If you're not telling your doctor and pharmacist about all of the medications you take, you don't know what effects their interactions could have when mixed.

Most important, health care professionals should be focusing on whether more drugs are even necessary--especially if that patient is already taking a bunch of pills. Drugs are completely overused for symptom relief when there are better alternatives available, such as deep breathing exercises, biofeedback, meditation, massages, hypnosis and exercise programs that good science supports all of these.

There is more than an element of art involved in the science of medicine. Get a second opinion if you have the slightest misgivings about a prescription or treatment plan--it could save your life.