Three drugs, three similar names, some close calls

Philly.com: TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012.
Watch out for dispensing mix-ups if you are taking any of the following medications: Ranexa, Prenexa and Pradaxa.  These drugs are all prescribed for different reasons although their names can look and/or sound very much alike. We’ve had some close calls reported to us lately through our National Medication Error Reporting Program, so the risk of a mix-up bears mentioning since getting the wrong pill could lead to serious harm.

One pharmacist reported that when he received a prescription for Pradaxa, he initially thought it was Ranexa. Pradaxa is used for a heart rhythm disturbance called atrial fibrillation, where the heart’s upper chambers don’t beat normally. This increases the risk that blood clots will form. If these reach the brain they can cause a stroke, and may also cause serious injury elsewhere. Ranexa is used for a different kind of heart problem – angina or chest pain that occurs when the blood vessels in your heart are obstructed and can’t carry enough oxygen. Read More