drug switch

[brayni]

My 82 year  old mother recently switched pharmacies and they gave her paxil instead of prozac. Is this okay?

[robinlove]

hi
if the doctor didn't prescribe it  , it is very WRONG and illegal.  
I would call the doctor and find out today!!
I have been on both at different times. For me there was a big difference.
So no it's not okay, unless the doctor changed her meds!!
Robin

[acesarp]

That's definitely not ok.

Paxil and prozac, although are both anti depressants they are different drugs. Switching antidepressants need to be monitored by a doctor. It's not like switching from tylenol to advil.
That's a pharmacy error.

[Jaquta]

I agree that you need to look into the matter.  I once went to the chemist to get a script for a family member filled.  I was given stalizine instead of selegiline.  My mother has an OK relationship with the chemist so brought the matter to his attention and then let it slide.
Being given incorrect medication can be extremely dangerous and I believe is something that should be investigated.
(My grandmother died following a fall after she was giving incorrect medication.)

This chemist also use to use an incorrect name and address on my meds (someone with a similar name lives in my area) and use to give me the wrong number (either too many or too few).  After asking repeatedly to have my personal info changed and being treated disrespectfully I changed chemists, despite the new one being out of my way.

Paxil and prozac, while similar, are also different.

[Peter Forster]

This is not "OK" in the sense that it is a clear pharmacy error unless the doctor changed the prescription. And I agree that the thing to do is call the doctor.