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Alert: PTU Medication Error Arises from Use of Abbreviation
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Endocrine Insider The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to practitioners such as endocrinologists who prescribe the drug propylthiouracil (PTU) to patients with hyperthyroidism. In an e-mail sent to the Society, the FDA stated that a prescription for PTU was mistakenly filled and dispensed with the medication Purinethol (mercaptopurine), a chemotherapy drug that treats leukemia. The error was repeated a second time when the prescription was refilled, and the patient—a pregnant woman—subsequently spontaneously aborted her fetus and died, likely as a result of the medication error. The FDA is encouraging practitioners who prescribe PTU to provide either the established name or the indication of use in addition to a proprietary name on all orders to help ensure the identification of the correct medication. Additional measures are being recommended to pharmacists. More detailed case information may be obtained by visiting this page of the Society's Advocacy website. Endocrine Society staff will provide members with additional information when it becomes available. |
