Back in June, My pharmacy gave me the wrong medication from a bottle that said Carbidopa levodopa on it. The pills were the wrong color and size and I pointed this out to the pharmacist told me that there must have been a new manufacturer. I took the pills for three days, while I kept questioning the pharmacy, who, on the third day for me that the medication I was taking was not for Parkinson's disease was for thyroid problems.

For three days I was without the carbidopa levodopa, and it was like I took two steps backwards as far as my symptoms were concerned.

Now after four months, the pharmacy has taken responsibility for the error.

I am wondering if anyone else out there has had a similar experience, and would like to know how they handled it. Because it is a neurological problem, I can't prove that my symptoms have accelerated because of the lack of medication for those three days. I only know what I feel. Any input would be gratefully received. Thank you

62 yr old F with PD for 8 years. Last year I convinced myself I didn't have PD and came off PD meds one year. Went back to a new Neuro who dx'd PD, put me on Sinemet 3x day and it is doing good for me. Apparently being off the meds a year didn't do much damage to my PD progression. Couldn't take Requip- caused some compulsive behavioural probs. Now to your question......

Local pharmacy with "assistants" and one Registered pharmacist gave me Requip on 2 occasions. It was 15 times the dosage I was to take. I called my Neuro and her nurse called the Druggist and read them the riot act. Told him if I hadn't been aware of the medicine difference, I would've died if I'd taken it. The "assistant" even told me it was a different manufacturer that's why the different look. Looked it up myself in a PDR (Physicians Desk Reference) and knew it was the wrong dose. The pharmacist made the statement that he had wondered why my insurance said it wouldn't cover the amount prescribed-it was over the limit. I am with another Pharmacy now and they are great. My advice...be vigilant. I'm living today b/c I questioned that pharmacy 3 times before I finally got them to recognize their errors. That was 3 times too many.

I would ask your Neuro or an Internist if the med mix-up could be causing your symptoms to accelerate. I take thyroid meds, PD meds, diabetes meds, so labwork on me is done every 3 months to maintain the correct numbers or the meds are upped or lowered. But I'd check with a Neuro or Internist. And be vigilant. Take care and feel better.