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Maraya1969

(22,490 posts)
Sat Dec 18, 2021, 08:48 AM Dec 2021

I have mixed up 2 medications. They look the same and they are so small

I can't read the imprints on them even with my glasses and camera.

One is Latuda which has given m horrible acathexia and the other is Atavan. I told the nurse practitioner yesterday and now I realize she had nothing to say except, "don't take Atavan with Klonopin, (which is what I normally take - I had been in the hospital and they gave me the Atavan)

I think during the acathesia which lasted for a few days and is still a little with me I did this. I know when I get it I can't stop moving and in the past I would wake up and my house would look like I dropped a box of monkeys in the middle and went to bed.

I was wondering if the pharmacy can tell them apart? I feel bad about going to CVS because they are worked so damn hard but besides called everyone I know to see who has really good eyesight I don't know what to do.

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I have mixed up 2 medications. They look the same and they are so small (Original Post) Maraya1969 Dec 2021 OP
In most cases the pharmacist should be able to distinguish them... hlthe2b Dec 2021 #1
you should mention it to the pharmacist. mopinko Dec 2021 #2
What tools do you have at home that might help? bucolic_frolic Dec 2021 #3
I would call the pharmacy that filled the scrip Phoenix61 Dec 2021 #4
Get some help filling a day of the week med box. These help a lot! flying_wahini Dec 2021 #5
Yes, the pharmacy can help. 3Hotdogs Dec 2021 #6
Years ago my mom had that problem. She got a food safe marking pen and would put a Ziggysmom Dec 2021 #7
Take a picture of the label of one of them with your cell phone. applegrove Dec 2021 #8

hlthe2b

(102,331 posts)
1. In most cases the pharmacist should be able to distinguish them...
Sat Dec 18, 2021, 08:55 AM
Dec 2021

Sometimes generics are hard to tell apart, but there should be markings on the Latuda, at a minimum.

mopinko

(70,180 posts)
2. you should mention it to the pharmacist.
Sat Dec 18, 2021, 09:00 AM
Dec 2021

possible they could use a different brand of a generic. or maybe give you a tip to keep them straight.

dropped a box of monkeys, tho.

bucolic_frolic

(43,252 posts)
3. What tools do you have at home that might help?
Sat Dec 18, 2021, 09:02 AM
Dec 2021

Do you have a magnifying glass, or a jeweler's loop (magnifier)?

If neither of those, do you have a digital camera or a scanner, or a smart phone with a camera? You could photograph one of them, and upload it to your computer and enlarge it, or do the same right on the phone.

Small details like that need to be vibration free when you take the photo. So brace yourself against a piece of furniture or a wall. O r set it to auto-selfie and set it down so it can capture the pills.

Let us know if this is any help. The pharmacy is a good idea too. But it will take time and a trip to them.

Good luck!

Phoenix61

(17,011 posts)
4. I would call the pharmacy that filled the scrip
Sat Dec 18, 2021, 09:06 AM
Dec 2021

or your local CVS and ask if there’s a way to tell them apart. From the pics on the internet net, if they are both round white pills, the Ativan has a cut line but the Latuda doesn’t.
“ Bottom Line. Do not cut your Latuda tablet in half. The manufacturer of Latuda provides five different strengths of the medication if your doctor needs to adjust your dose. The tablets are not scored, making splitting difficult.Jul 21, 2020”
If that’s the case it would be easy for your local pharmacist to sort t out for you.

3Hotdogs

(12,396 posts)
6. Yes, the pharmacy can help.
Sat Dec 18, 2021, 10:02 AM
Dec 2021

Many of the drug bottles come with a description of the pill something like, "This is an elongated pill, white, with the letters --- on one side."




These are for the benefit of customs and law enforcement. Your pharmacist has a description of all medications they sell.

Ziggysmom

(3,410 posts)
7. Years ago my mom had that problem. She got a food safe marking pen and would put a
Sat Dec 18, 2021, 10:52 AM
Dec 2021

dot or letter on all the pills in one bottle. They sell the pens at craft stores like Michaels and cake decorating stores.

https://www.michaels.com/wilton-foodwriter-edible-color-markers/10327455.html

applegrove

(118,749 posts)
8. Take a picture of the label of one of them with your cell phone.
Sat Dec 18, 2021, 08:00 PM
Dec 2021

Then expand the resulting picture on your phone. Get a magnifying glass. I'm sure Amazon has them.

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