Ahmad_Alkhen

I received a prescription for Pen V 300mg PO TID from a dentist. The file said the patient is allergic to penicillin.

I called out her name so I could question her about said allergy.

“Hello Mrs. S.”

“Yes, is something wrong?”

“I see there’s an allergy in your file to penicillin. The dentist prescribed some penicillin for you. Do you recall what type of reaction you had?”

“I don’t understand! I told him I was allergic to penicillin and that I break out in hives when I take it” she answered.

“Don’t worry ma’am. It happens all the time. I’ll give him a call right now so I can have him prescribe something else for you.”

I called the dentist’s office and managed to get him on the line rather quickly.

“Hello Dr. D. I’m calling regarding Mrs. S, whom you saw earlier today. You prescribed some Pen V for her, but she’s allergic to penicillin.”

“Yeah, I know. That’s why I prescribed it TID instead of QID” he replied.

“Um… You do realize that’s not how allergies work, right?”

“Oh, so she can’t take any?!”

“Of course she can’t take any!” I answered angrily.

“I suggest you change it to another antibiotic such as azithromycin or clindamycin. Which would you like to prescribe?”

“Well, I guess we can go with the azithromycin.” he replied.

“Very well. I’ll let the patient know of the change.”

Really?!