WSJ: FDA Warns of Drug Confusion

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The Wall Street Journal

FDA Warns of Drug Confusion

By JENNIFER CORBETT DOOREN
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
February 9, 2005; Page D5

The Food and Drug Administration is warning health-care professionals and consumers about prescribing and dispensing errors between two drugs with similar names.

The errors have occurred between Zyprexa, an antipsychotic drug made by Eli Lilly & Co. and Zyrtec, an antihistamine made by Pfizer Inc., used to treat allergies.

In a letter sent to health-care professionals that was posted yesterday on the FDA's Web site, Lilly said it had received reports of the drugs incorrectly being given to consumers.

"These reports include instances where Zyprexa was incorrectly dispensed for Zyrtec and vice versa, leading to various adverse events in some instances," the letter said. "These errors could result in unnecessary adverse events or potential relapse in patients suffering from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder."

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Write to Jennifer Corbett Dooren at [e-mail]

URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB110791023404849515,00.html