Medication errors often lead to medical malpractice claims. This could happen if a doctor or nurse makes a mistake, perhaps providing a patient with the wrong medication or failing to give them the medicine they need for recovery. It can also occur if the dose is incorrect, leading to an accidental overdose.
One important thing to remember is that many medications are intended to be taken on their own. In controlled doses, they can be perfectly safe, but if certain medications are mixed, they can have a fatal interaction. Even if the patient survives, they could suffer serious harm.
1. Opioids and benzodiazepines
An example of this is if someone accidentally mixes opioids and benzodiazepines. Opioids are typically used as painkillers and require a prescription because of their potency. Benzodiazepines are often used to treat panic attacks, nausea, anxiety and other conditions. A common benzodiazepine is Xanax, which people may take when struggling with anxiety.
The trouble with taking both of these medications together is that they are both sedatives. Sedatives can slow bodily functions, helping to calm the patient or reduce pain. However, taking both drugs together can cause an overdose, as the sedative effect may become too strong. This could lead to loss of consciousness and even death.
2. What are your legal options?
Have you lost a loved one due to medical malpractice, or have you suffered serious harm yourself? Patients have no medical training, in most cases, and may not know that the medications they’ve been given should not be mixed. They trust the doctors, but a doctor’s error could have major ramifications. If you find yourself in this position, be sure you understand the legal options available to you.
