Solatol 40 mg & 80 mg

[Hullensian]

Just an update on my previous posts regarding splitting 80 mg tablets due to shortage of 40 mg when Patient Information Sheet states not to split.

I was so concerned about this so I emailed the manufacturer. Their response is not to split the 80 mg as it will affect the efficacy. I contacted my surgery and left a message with the reception informing them of the response and asking the doctor "What should I do? Should I take 1 x 80 per day, and if so, when? The response was that I had to telephone all the pharmacies in Hull to try and locate some 40 mg tablets and if I found some to call back and they would write me a prescription. Couldn't make it up if I tried. Anyway, many telephone calls later I located 2 packets, phoned the doctors for the prescription and arranged to pick it up the next day. By the time I got to the surgery my pharmacist (who had had no stock on my last monthly prescription) had picked it up. Went there, explained I needed it as I had 2 boxes reserved at another chemists to be told a Rep had called half-an-hour earlier and they had the medication ready for me! I then had to call in at the other pharmacy and apologize. Next month, and looks like for the foreseeable future, I will have to contact my usual pharmacy a few days prior to the due date to establish whether or not they have a supply and, if not, start over again telephoning around to locate 2 packs. This is getting stressful - only consolation is that, despite being 70 years, I still have the faculties to do this.

[Carokai]

Sorry you are in this position.

I had the same issue with one of my drugs, at one stage having to split them into 1/3rds.

In the end I went and asked my GP if their pharmacists could get a little stock for me and either fill my prescription quarterly or hold them for me.

Once the GP asked the pharmacy they were quite happy to do that. I realised then that the GP - Pharmacy link should not be assumed. Your GP possibly doesn't know the problems you are having and the Pharmacy may not understand how many issues the wrong strength could cause you.

I do feel for the Pharmacists. There is a real issue in the NHS of constantly changing brands, formats etc in the drugs that they get delivered. My Consultant was shocked when I explained to him that I never get the same Brand of Amladopine and Thyroid tablets twice and that each brand seems to have a different level of efficacy. He said that was inappropriate and wrote to my GP specifying which brand of Throid tablet he wanted me to have in future.

[Prada47]

Hi Hellensian

Your last comment is very important with regards to Capacity, not every 70 year old has the Capacity to phone around and go onto the internet it just seems that everyone is expected to have the internet and know how to use it.

From one 70 year old to another lol but it is a serious point you have made,

Regards

Frank W

[Hullensian in reply to Prada47]

Thank you for your response. I liked your lol, but believe me I was definitely not lolling! I cannot understand, when the doctor was well aware of the problem that he did not contact the Cardiologist for advice - there must be others on the panel that are having the same problem as the practice did tell me that Solatol is the only drug that can be prescribed for AF. The BHS gave me details of a link that sets out other drugs, but my doctor insists only Solatol can be prescribed.