Drugs mix-up can affect seizures disorder

Leading pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca, in letters released by the Food and Drug Administration, warn doctors and pharmacists that mix-ups in prescriptions of three drugs with similar names, but vastly different effects can lead to serious health problems.

The drugs are Toprol-XL, Topamax, and Tegretol.

Toprol-XL, generic name metoprolol succinate, treats hypertension, chest pain, and some kinds of heart failure. It is manufactured by AstraZeneca.

Topamax, also known as topiramate, is used to treat epilepsy and prevent migraines. It is made by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics Inc.

Tegretol, known as carbamazepine, treats some kinds of seizures and trigeminal neuralgia, a nerve disorder that causes stabbing head pain. It is manufactured by Novartis.

According to letters from AstraZeneca’s chief medical officer, Glenn J. Gormley, patients who received the wrong drugs reported recurrences of seizures, hallucinations, and hypertension.
At least one suicide attempt is possibly linked to such a mix-up, and at least one patient who mistakenly received Toprol-XL experienced a dangerous drop in heart rate.

Gormley asked doctors to write legible prescriptions that include both the brand and generic names of the drugs, and asked pharmacists to double-check drug names against prescriptions.