During a visit to my physician last week I brought up the need for a new prescription for a medication I’ve been on for about 7 years. My Dr.’s office will not renew scrips by fax or phone, it has to be in person.
My Dr. got a funny look on his face and asked me to hang on a second. He scrolled through messages on his iPhone until he found the one he wanted. Domperidone, the medication, has been found to cause “sudden cardiac death” in some patients who have been taking 3 or more doses a day. “But you’re only taking one”, he said. “No Doc”, I replied. “I’m taking a minimum of 4 and sometimes 5!”
The Health Canada and FDA warning came out in March. It is now November. No one thought to cross check the medication with my chart and perhaps say something? And why did it say in his records that I take one a day when my pharmacist knows I’ve always taken 4 or 5 and it says so on the label? To make a long story short, the muscle in my esophagus that takes food down to the stomach doesn’t work. This drug stimulates the muscle into working short-term. Now I suppose I’ll have to rely on gravity again. It’s uncomfortable but it’s not life-threatening. Not like the drug is, apparently.
You HAVE to be an advocate on behalf of your own health. I believe our medical system is superior to most around the world but the days of putting your blind faith in it are over. I asked my Dr. if there was another medication I could take instead because this one changed my life for the better and he said no. There used to be 4 but they have all been deemed too hard on the heart. I should note that domperidone is not off the market. It’s just prescribed in a more limited scope now in smaller doses with dire warnings about it.
He wanted me to try to taper it off. I said there was no question that sudden death is less appealing than gastro-intestinal discomfort and I’d rather stop it altogether. And this experience illustrates how far there is still to go before we have a health-care system that truly watches out for the patient. So please, watch out for yourself.
WOW that is terrible! I thought that either your doctor, or your pharmacist should have picked up on your high dosage and the possibility of the problem. My pharmacists are always checking my meds out with me.
Yes, you are correct that you have to advocate for yourself.
Domperidone is a drug used to increase breast milk too. When I needed more milk many said to go get a script. When I said I don’t like to take meds I don’t really need I was met with snarky comments implying I wasn’t trying hard enough. This is exactly why I don’t take meds I don’t absolutely need!!
Isn’t your pharmacist providing you with a pamphlet outlining the risks of your medications each time you renew a prescription? When I was on medications, mine always provided one. Unfortunately, the only mechanisms for tracking all the medications you’re on is through your pharmacists and that only works if your using the same pharmacy chain. The provinces E-health initiative is/was suppose to address this by making your medical information readily accessible to all your medical professionals, great idea, idiots left in charge.
Now, I’ve heard something recently, that there is a smart phone app which will allow you to track your medical information and medications.
I use the same pharmacist and I haven’t been told a thing about this medication from them. It’s definitely something I will address. Someone, somewhere along the line over the past 8 months ought to have put two and two together.
Here is a possible resource if you ever have any questions pertaining to your medications:
http://www.medbroadcast.com/drug_info.asp
Thanks Allan. That kind of misses my point though which is that if a doctor has prescribed it he/she ought to be on top of what it does/doesn’t do to a person without them bringing it up 8 months later! Am I expected to visit the site every month and plug in a drug name just to see if it’s got any new warnings? That’s rhetorical….
Unfortunately, the only time your doctor is going to review your file, is possibly just prior to you arriving, during your appointment and while completing the necessary follow up paper work after your visit, otherwise it’s going to sit in the filing cabnet until your next appointment.
The majority of doctors offices, simply haven’t the technology to cross check and alert them to any drug concerns their patience maybe on. Your pharmacy and pharmacist does and they should have brought this issue to your attention.
… and yes, it’s really up to you.