Argh! GP has given me the wrong dose of quetipaine XR. I've run out -what can I do?

[dontrunwithscissors]

I went to take my quetiapine XR a few hours ago, only to realise that the GP has prescribed 150mg, rather than 50mg. I've completely run out. What can I do? Could the pharmacist do anything? Or anyone else? I can increase my regular quetiapine (I usually take 150mg of that on a night), but I'm not sure whether it will keep me OK until Monday. I tend to be super-sensitive to small changes in doseage and I think I'll notice it's gone. Help, anyone!?

How much questiapine d you usually take in a day?

Sorry, should say - How much quetiapine do you usually take in a day?

I usually take 50mg of the extended release, and 150mg of the normal version, all on a night. I

've got plenty of normal, but only the wrong (ie 150mg) of the extended release. I know I can't split the extended release tablets.

is it a repeat prescription?ask will the pharmacist issue repeat prescription for correct dosage.if they have the authorisation paperwork they might do.do you have any repeat prescription issue forms or does the pharmacist?phramacy will be open sat too

do that over weekend until get to gp.presumably pharamacist have record of your other prescriptions and correct dosage.

Panic over! I just dug away into the bottom of the bag (I needed more of everything!), and there was a box of 50mg extended release quetiapine. So he/she/it has prescribed both 150mg and 50mg of extended release quetiapine. (Plus 150mg of normal quetiapine.) I haven't got a clue why there's two strengths of the XR version - I certainly never asked for it! I can only assume they did it early in the morning before they'd woken up!?

PS Thanks for the quick replies.

Ring NHS direct immediately. Do not have a Friday night glass of wine but do stock up on chocolate and make sure you have essentials for tomorrow like milk, coffee etc. Cancel all unecessary arrangements for tomorrow, and have a friend on standby to come round and help if necessary.

One way round the lack of SR might be to work out even intervals over then next 24 hours then take 50mg standard at 10pm, 2am, 10am and 2pm. BUT do not do this without medical advice.

all sorted.thtas good!

Oops cross post, glad it's sorted!

Thanks for that post, purplepidijn. I was starting to panic when I saw the wrong doseage. Whoever made me panic by doing that deserves a...a...I don't know what. I'll think about that. Probably a sharp finger-wagging.

I work in care, and missing a medication can be gross misconduct - but doesn't stop it happening so I know what to do.

Seems odd that they've given you stuff that's not on your scrip, though?

this wasnt missing meds,initially overlooked it in the packaging
it was found later by op

You ned to go to your usual pharmacist tomorrow and check that you do normally get 50mg by getting htem to check previous prescriptions dispensed there. I am sure you are right but it doesn't hurt to check and some of these claims of incorrect pres/disp do turn out to be that the patient is a little confused.

IF =you are right and you should have 150, see if the pharmacist can issue an emergency prescription for 3 boxes X 50 mg to tide you over till Monday. Whatever you do don't crush or cut them as if it is an XR then you could overload on the drug.

The pharmacist may however send you to to local drop in surgery or make you an emergency appointment. Though it is annoying it is best practice, protects everyone legally and makes sure you get the right treatment!

scottish I was referring to my post which crossed with the OP's when she realised she did have the right meds. If she didn't have them, she would need to get medical advice and maybe have another plan in place to keep levels stable...

Luckily it's all turned out ok

its not as drastic as that,a pharmacist can issue an repeat prescription they are open saturday.pharmacist will have the documentation and be able to check and issue prescription as per previous.they then contact thegp surgery and fax over the documentation of the consultation and prescription issued

Hannah - thanks, but I'm very sure that I take 50mg of XR. I think I now know why the mistake happened - too long and boring to explain, but I can see how there was a mix-up.