A Blog detailing the insanity of my medical practice and the stupidity of everyday life.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Augh!!!!!!!!
This message was left on the office voicemail over lunch hour:
"Hi. I have a gray pill, with 10 on one side and nothing on the other. I have no idea what it is, but I got it at Medco. It's for my husband and we only have 3 left. Call me right away."
That damn Medco mail order, and it will take them a week to get more; therefore, local pharmacy will have to jump through hoops to get an RX when docs are closed!!! I am glad I got out of the business.
Apparently the caller has overlooked the most important resource in this scenario: Medco!!! They got it from Medco so call THEM and ask them what it is. Also, I wonder where the labeled container is that came with the gray pill. Oh, and have they read the label???
They call the pharmacy all the time. I get a couple of them a week. I love it how someone called to refill one but got it somewhere else while telling me he never filled it elsewhere. after calling the insurance then calling pharmacy B, he picked it up, when I told him about it he said oh yeah they look different so I won't take it. WTF PEOPLE. It took the pharmacist to tell him its the same drug.
That's what 1-800-222-1222 is good for. <3 Poison control! I don't spend my time identifying pills... But I also live in an area where people want to make sure what their neighbor/friend/drug dealer sold them really is that lorcet/oxycotin/vicodin they were promised.
You do realize they were being proactive as he would have ran out after taking his last dose at bedtime christmas eve? That's one less phone call christmas morning.
Epocrates charges $100 for a years subscription to the online pill ID tool but the free PDA/smartphone software Epocrates Rx includes it. Probably worthwhile if you deal with folks that can't seem to keep a med list.
Cmon, you'll drive yourself crazy expecting anything less from people who need Namenda or Zyprexa. Like the litte old ladies who can't remember their Aricept! Priceless!
People often try to describe their pills rather than tell me what they are called or what they are prescribed for. What really cracks me up is when the description consists of "it's a white pill".
I really like your blog. I am a first-time visitor, but I observe every site I submit a comment to. I have a humor blog myself, which I hope to be a top place for people to come and laugh. Life is hard enough and you sometimes need to just sit back and laugh a little.
I'd like to exchange links with you to help spread traffic around to each. Keep up the good work. You can contact me by simply placing a comment on my site.
Namenda maybe?
ReplyDeleteI thought of that, too. It says FL on the opposite side.
ReplyDeleteThat damn Medco mail order, and it will take them a week to get more; therefore, local pharmacy will have to jump through hoops to get an RX when docs are closed!!! I am glad I got out of the business.
ReplyDeleteZyprexa. (grin)
ReplyDeleteOops. I meant Zyprexa Zydis.
ReplyDeleterxlist.com has a tool to identify meds. If a round pill, looks like oral morphine or MS contin oral. Definitely need more than 3 for a good party.
ReplyDeletemy uneducated guess would be fukitol...
ReplyDeleteLol @ fukitol.
ReplyDeleteSeriously tho, they could have taken it to a pharmacy and had them try to ID it.
Namenda for sure. 10 mg, gray in color by Forest Labs (FL)
ReplyDeleteI have a green pill with a lower case "m" on one side. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteWhy aren't the pills in a labeled container?
ReplyDeleteClassof65
Maybe her hubby knows?
ReplyDeleteFYI there's a DR OMG on failblog.
ReplyDeleteApparently the caller has overlooked the most important resource in this scenario: Medco!!! They got it from Medco so call THEM and ask them what it is. Also, I wonder where the labeled container is that came with the gray pill. Oh, and have they read the label???
ReplyDeleteSheesh!!!
They call the pharmacy all the time. I get a couple of them a week. I love it how someone called to refill one but got it somewhere else while telling me he never filled it elsewhere. after calling the insurance then calling pharmacy B, he picked it up, when I told him about it he said oh yeah they look different so I won't take it. WTF PEOPLE. It took the pharmacist to tell him its the same drug.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Namenda! Yikes.
ReplyDeleteThat's what 1-800-222-1222 is good for. <3 Poison control! I don't spend my time identifying pills... But I also live in an area where people want to make sure what their neighbor/friend/drug dealer sold them really is that lorcet/oxycotin/vicodin they were promised.
ReplyDeletethe fact that it's namenda says a lot in itself LOL!
ReplyDeleteHas to be Namenda 10mg.
ReplyDeleteYou do realize they were being proactive as he would have ran out after taking his last dose at bedtime christmas eve? That's one less phone call christmas morning.
Oh mercy Dr. Grumpy...I guess you should be flattered. They think you are all-knowing.
ReplyDeleteMicromedex is the easiest tab ID source for me to use at work. I think all pharmacies have access to some type of ID software though.
Of course, we all know you have every tablet memorized though. I'm going to start calling you too. ;)
Epocrates charges $100 for a years subscription to the online pill ID tool but the free PDA/smartphone software Epocrates Rx includes it. Probably worthwhile if you deal with folks that can't seem to keep a med list.
ReplyDeleteIf it's Namenda, maybe they forgot?
ReplyDeleteCmon, you'll drive yourself crazy expecting anything less from people who need Namenda or Zyprexa. Like the litte old ladies who can't remember their Aricept! Priceless!
ReplyDeletePeople often try to describe their pills rather than tell me what they are called or what they are prescribed for. What really cracks me up is when the description consists of "it's a white pill".
ReplyDeleteReally?
I really like your blog. I am a first-time visitor, but I observe every site I submit a comment to. I have a humor blog myself, which I hope to be a top place for people to come and laugh. Life is hard enough and you sometimes need to just sit back and laugh a little.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to exchange links with you to help spread traffic around to each. Keep up the good work. You can contact me by simply placing a comment on my site.
Happy Holidays!
Jason
HilariousHeadlines.com
Um...how about name and contact number?
ReplyDelete>:p