My client was a relatively healthy 85-year old who suffered only with restless leg syndrome for which she was prescribed the drug Requip (ropinirole). Following a doctor’s visit and refill of her prescription, she proceeded to a local pharmacy to have the prescription refilled.Upon returning home, over the next few days she began taking the medication as prescribed. However, she started experiencing significant side-effects that she had never before experienced. These included an inability to remain still, excessive scratching, disjointed thoughts and thinking and hallucinations.Her husband brought her to the emergency room of the local hospital where vitals were taken and she was determined to be fine. She was sent home. However, she continued with the side-effects. Her family then took her back to the emergency room approximately 12-hours later. She was eventually admitted into the hospital.
Upon doing lab work on her blood, it was noted that she was testing positive for an unknown drug. The doctor’s asked her family what medications she was taking, and they produced the bottle of Requip. The hospital ran tests on the pills and found they were not Requip but instead the psychotic medication – Risperdal (risperidone).
The two drugs are remarkably similar in appearance, but treat vastly different conditions. Following the identification of the drug taken, the hospital was able start the correct medication and monitor the client until the Risperdal was out of her system.
The client was hospitalized for a total of four days. She does not remember two of those days. Her medical bills totaled less than $500. Her doctors stated she should not have any long-term effects.
I was successful in negotiating a settlement with the insurer for the pharmacy before filing suit. The total settlement was for $175,000.
