Two days ago I took my daughter to the doctor for a very painful earache. The doctor gave me a prescription of Ceftin. I took it to walmart to have it filled. When I got home the medicine was so thick, that I had to take a straw and scrape it out of the bottle and put it into a measuring spoon and mix with water before my daughter could suck it up with a straw. I didn't think it looked right. As soon as she ingested it she began to throw up. I felt so bad because anyone with children knows you nearly have to force it down anyway when it is bitter. I called the prescribing the doc next morning to see if it was normal for that medicine to be so thick. They said it is thick but should pour from the bottle. I took it to the office and they looked at it and said they didn't think it should be like that. I called the pharmacy at walmart and they said bring it back we will replace it! I said I don't want it replaced it made her terribly ill. They tried to justify it and say it had been checked three times. I don't care if it was checked ten times, it was mixed wrong. I asked them for the medicine back and went up the road to another pharmacy and showed it to them. The pharmacist there said it was definitely mixed wrong. What makes me so angry is walmart's refusal to acknowledge that it was wrong and trying to keep the medicine. Does anyone know the best way to launch a complaint about that pharmacy? It's one thing to mess up but to deny and hide it is dangerous when dealing with medicine. Thank you

Contact a lawyer, pharmacies have malpractice insurance.

I agree call a lawyer there is no excuse for making an error on someone's medication

Do you have any idea how to preserve the medication in case it might take awhile to have it checked?

Ask your doctor about that.

I have no idea most likley you can keep it in the fridge. A lot of medications last longer in the fridge but I'm not sure!

Thank you all!

I am very sorry for yours and your daughter's misfortune.

I will say to keep it in the fridge, however, that will not keep it from expiring and going bad. Many of these meds only have a life of 10 days after being mixed with the distilled water.

Now, as far as filing a complaint you may be best to contact Walmarts Headquarters. I doubt that you have a malpractice case as there was no permanent damage done. So, when you do contact an attorney make sure you get the free consultation as this will cost you major money in the long run.

In WaMart's defense, they probably have rules on how to deal with situations like these to minimize their risk of litigation. I'm sure their pharmacy employees felt very bad about the mistake, but they had to follow the company policy or lose their jobs.

On the bright side, your daughter did not appear to be materially harmed. So you can do one of two things. You can contact a lawyer as I suggested, or you can send a letter to walmart, telling them that you want an apology and reasonable compensation or you will contact an attorney. If they offer you anything in 4 figures, take it!

And, of course, there is a possibility that the problem was the doctor's, not the pharmacy's. It sounds like the medicine was not diluted enough, and that could be a result of the doctor's handwriting... something like a 5x dilution looking like a 2x, for example. At the end of the day, mistakes do happen, no matter how many checks and balances are in the system.

Also, I'm not sure why you think it was wrong for WalMart to want to keep the medicine if they replaced it. It is a prescription drug. And it's pretty normal if something is wrong with a product to take the bad one back and give the buyer a new one. If they replaced your medicine, they are much better suited to deal with properly disposing of the bad batch. It's not the kind of thing that should just be thrown away in the trash.

And finally, for everyone out there, if you are ever given a drug that just doesn't look right... try and get in touch with the doctor (or go back to the pharmacy) before you take it. Doctor's handwriting is difficult to read, especially when they start using abbreviations, and there are lots of drugs with very similar names. Ask your doctor what you are getting, try and get the proper spelling of it, and ask what it should look like. That way you can double-check that what you get is actually what the doctor prescribed.

This public service announcement brought to you by the letter E and the number 8. :)

I am not so sure that this would have helped the op. But my solution may help someone else out. I have a child that has a kidney disease and he took many meds and was hospitialized sometimes 30 days at a time, I have seen pharmacys,hospitals, home health care make mistakes that have caused cardiac arrest in toddlers. My advice to everyone, is to have the doctor verbally tell you what they are prescribing, how much & how often to take. Also if more than 1 medicine is prescribed know which med is treating what medical problem. I also like to know what the medicine looks like if possible and I check it before I leave the drug store.

NO, the pharmacist told me over the phone, what the dilution should be. It was just what the doctor had on the prescription order. It was neat enough that I could read it. That's rare. I wouldn't let them replace it. I think they wanted to keep it because it was messed up. Why would I want them to replace it when they already messed up on it and it made her so sick. The doctor gave her pills as a replacement and I went to a different pharmacy to get it filled because walmart only had a three day supply and I drive forty five minutes to get there. As I said before I called the pharmacy very first step... was told by a pharmacist that she had no idea because she did not work that day. She said bring it back we will replace it. They have some high schoolers mixing their meds for them. They messed up. We didn't.. It was for Ceftin 250/5 ml. I think with another pharmacy taking a look and verifying something was wrong, proves walmart was wrong.

Yes, you have very vaild points here. However, no permanent damage was done.

If an attorney takes this case, it will be an uphill battle and most likely very costly as I don't see it being taken on a contingency fee basis.

I would also never ever go back to a walmart pharmacy. I hope you get in touch with walmart pharmacy headquarters, also having the other pharmacy confirm that it was a mistake. Keep the medicine preserved. It was good that you did that, bringing it to another pharmacy. By getting walmart to hear your case by contacting them maybe they will change their policies so this does not happen again.

Yes there is not much of a law suit here, no real damage ( and I am glad there was not) she became sick that was about it.
Next and I am not picking on you, I am going to sound like their defense attorney. You noticed it did not look right and did not call or question before you gave it to her. That will be part of their defense.

Also walmart does not "mix" very much, they merely take it out of one large bottle and put in in small bottles, or they take a bottle already mixed and put a label on it. They do not actually make medications.

Not like your local small town drugist that actually still makes their own pills and potions.

Also walmart does not "mix" very much, they merely take it out of one large bottle and put in in small bottles, or they take a bottle already mixed and put a label on it. They do not actually make medications.

I have to respectfully disagree with you here Chuck. Many of the liquid meds are indeed mixed when the prescription is presented. You see, there are different strengths of meds and the diluent must be added according to the particular prescription as it is written. These meds are in a powdered form and mixed with distilled water upon presentation of the script.

Many of the meds will go bad within a certain time, usually 12 days, after mixed.

So, you are factually incorrect here Chuck.

Call an attorney right away. You should also rule out the possibility that your daughter may be allergic to Ceftin. The pharmacy will no doubt try to argue that that was the real cause for your daughter's illness and throwing up. Ceftin is also available in pill form if your daughter is old enough to swallow pills.

Yes there is not much of a law suit here, no real damage ( and I am glad there was not) she became sick that was about it.
Next and I am not picking on you, I am going to sound like thier defense attorney. You noticed it did not look right and did not call or question before you gave it to her. that will be part of thier defense.

Also walmart does not "mix" very much, they merely take it out of one large bottle and put in in small bottles, or they take a bottle already mixed and put a label on it. They do not actually make medications.

Not like your local small town drugist that actually still makes thier own pills and potions.

Good point. Most pharmacies nowadays don't actually mix their own medications - they get them directly from the manufacturer.

Good point. Most pharmacies nowadays don't actually mix their own medications - they get them directly from the manufacturer.

YES THEY DO!!

Oral suspensions must be mixed according to the written prescription. Most oral suspensions, especially those of antibiotic nature come in powdered form and must be mixed according to dosage requirements of weight.

No manufacturer knows how much you weigh to pre package their product.

Antibiotics such as this are mixed on an as needed basis ONLY as they tend to expire and/or lose their antibiotic properties within several days.

These products come in powder form and are diluted with distilled water ONLY on an as needed basis.

The young girl that talked to me in the pharmacy... told me they mix the meds when the people come to pick it up and not before. She told me it comes in a powder and is mixed once the person is waiting on the prescription. She is not allergic to the medication ceftin because she is taking it in pill form now... and.. as soon as I got home and noticed it looked too thick I did call the pharmacy.. but they close at seven pm.. so I tried to get a dose in her because she was in a lot of pain with her bad earache... I called first thing next morning after the incident as soon as the pharmacy opened. They were terribly rude and terribly not interested in talking to me. I truly trust pharmacists and I know how they are educated to double check meds for this very reason. Someone simply isn't doing their job and it could cost someone their life. I sure don't want that and I can't stand the thought of it happening to my child either.

I won't go back to Walmart pharmacy for any medication. I think they are overworked and rushing out prescriptions to waiting angry customers. You can't do that with medicine. As far as a law suit. I have no plans on doing that. I have no money. I know it will go nowhere it just makes me mad.

You are correct in that they measure and mix the meds, especially the liquids (better known as suspension) when the script comes in. The others here, unfortunately, have it all wrong.

And you have every right to be upset. I know I would be. But like Chuck said, playing devil's advocate, or defense attorney...

You noticed that there was something wrong, yet gave it to her anyway.

She did not receive any permanent damage so, unfortunately, there is really little that can be done except to contact the WalMart Headquarters or possibly contact your local licensing board and file a complaint.

I was a medical malpractice researcher prior to going into nursing school. So, I am advising you as if you were a client of mine on how to approach this situation. Many attorneys will not take this on a contingency fee basis as there is no permanent damage. If you tell me where you live, either here or in PM if you don't want it known, and I will try an put you in touch with your local licensing board so that you can file a formal complaint.

That is the best way to start.

I just want to say that I was getting my medicene at wal-mart and they always give us problems with it. Usually we have to wait forever to get it or sometimes other things happen. But I really do not trust wal-mart pharamcy's

Let me say that we all have to be proactive in our health. That means starting with the doctor. It is important that we have the doctor tell us what the prescription is. Learn how to read them, it's really not hard actually, then make sure what the pharmacy gives us is exactly what the doctor prescribed.

We are all human. We make mistakes. Yes, sometimes those mistakes are dangerous, but less dangerous if we learn to read the scripts given to us and we are not afraid to ask questions.

I personally can not read my prescriptions when I receive one from the doctor. And I do not know how the pharmicist do either. I feel bad for your misfortune. Good luck in fighting wally world. I am sure they have the best lawyers they can BUY, if you know what I mean.

It is bad that your daughter got sick. But good luck in fighting wally world. They have the best lawyers money can BUY I am sure, if you know what I mean. And not defending wally world here , but I do not see how anyone, even the doctor that wrote the prescription, can read the dang thing. I have never been able to read the prescriptions. That is why I ask the doctor what I will be taking, the dosage, and the quanity and duration.

I was not saying or trying to defend Walmart, I wanted to boycott walmart years ago because of so many practices. And I stopped using their pharamacy a couple of years ago, as many have, why do you think they started that 2 or 3 dollar drug program, to get business back from other drug stores, knowing if they give those few drugs cheap they will get your other drugs also.

Chuck, I don't think anyone said you were trying to defend WalMart.

I was trying to point out that you were factually wrong in how the medications are mixed and measured.

why do you think they started that 2 or 3 dollar drug program, to get business back from other drug stores, knowing if they give those few drugs cheap they will get your other drugs also.

Chuck,

I am sorry, but again you are sadly mistaken. This program was not started by WalMart, but other companies in many states do this now. Why? Due to the high cost of prescription meds and the low percentage of Americans without insurance.

It has very little, if anything, to do with cheap drugs and getting business. It has to do with the failing economics and the healthcare system in our country. People without insurance cannot afford to go to the doctor and when they do, they can't afford the medications. This is one way that the pharmaceutical companies are giving back to the population.

I know this sounds stupid, but it happens. Children sometimes throw up drugs that are perfectly good. Can you be absolutely certain it was the drug? Are you sure it didn't just taste bad?

Here is some information on "Ceftin": Ceftin Information from Drugs.com (http://www.drugs.com/ceftin.html)

Down below are some articles clipped from the website regarding Ceftin.




How should I take Ceftin?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You may take Ceftin tablets with or without meals.
Ceftin oral suspension (liquid) must be taken with food. Shake the oral suspension well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. If you switch from using the tablet form to using the oral suspension (liquid) form of this medicine, you may not need to use the same dosage in number of milligrams. The medication may not be as effective unless you use the exact form and strength your doctor has prescribed. Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ceftin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain lab tests to check for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking Ceftin.
Store Ceftin tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Store Ceftin oral suspension in the refrigerator. Do not allow it to freeze.


What are the possible side effects of Ceftin?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

*

Diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
*

Fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
*

Seizure (black-out or convulsions); or
*

Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

*

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
*

Headache, dizziness;
*

Fussiness or crying (in children);
*

Sleep problems (insomnia); or
*

Vaginal itching or discharge.

Two days ago I took my daughter to the doctor for a very painful earache. The doctor gave me a prescription of Ceftin. I took it to walmart to have it filled. When I got home the medicine was so thick, that I had to take a straw and scrape it out of the bottle and put it into a measuring spoon and mix with water before my daughter could suck it up with a straw. I didn't think it looked right. As soon as she ingested it she began to throw up. I felt so bad because anyone with children knows you nearly have to force it down anyway when it is bitter. I called the prescribing the doc next morning to see if it was normal for that medicine to be so thick. They said it is thick but should pour from the bottle. I took it to the office and they looked at it and said they didn't think it should be like that. I called the pharmacy at walmart and they said bring it back we will replace it! I said I don't want it replaced it made her terribly ill. They tried to justify it and say it had been checked three times. I don't care if it was checked ten times, it was mixed wrong. I asked them for the medicine back and went up the road to another pharmacy and showed it to them. The pharmacist there said it was definitly mixed wrong. What makes me so angry is walmart's refusal to acknowledge that it was wrong and trying to keep the medicine. Does anyone know the best way to launch a complaint about that pharmacy? It's one thing to mess up but to deny and hide it is dangerous when dealing with medicine. Thank you
That's not the first time a wal-mart messed up... Last year I got pink eye and had my rx filled at the wal-mart in emporia Ks... Good thing I read the box because they gave me the wrong thing... It had a big warning on it that if put in eyes cld cause blindness... so they suck

I took it to another pharmacy... they verified the medication was not mixed right. They said it wasn't diluted with nearly enough water. It was so thick you could not pour it.. not even by smacking the bottom of the bottle while holding it upside down. She is doing fine on Ceftin pills.

vjsmom... did you do anything about that... That is so scary! To think you could have been blinded? What did you do about it?

I freaked out and took it back... And all they said was Sorry...