COMMENTARY | A CVS pharmacy in Chatham, New Jersey, accidentally switched chewable children's fluoride tablets with the breast cancer drug Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is used to manage estrogen-positive breast cancer and it is not meant with a view to children. The New Jersey State Attorney General's Office is looking into in what plight this happened. A report by the New York Daily News states that CVS must respond to the Attorney General's interrogation by March 7.

The Chatham Courier reports that 50 prescriptions were accidentally switched between Dec. 20, 2011 and Feb. 20, 2012. Although the Tamoxifen tablets and the fluoride tablets are hoary and the same size, coding steady the tablets should have prevented this blend-up. Tamoxifen is stamped with the literal sense "M" on one indirect of the tablet and the call over 247 on the reverse side. The fluoride tablets are stamped by the letters "SCI" steady one side and the number 1007 without interrupti~ the reverse. Any person looking at the tablets should have noticed the mistake while filling the prescriptions. All concerns well-nigh the mix-up should be directed to CVS in~d headquarters at 1-800-746-7287.

Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen was approved through the FDA to treat estrogen-unmistakable breast cancer; it is not prescribed conducive to children. The normal course of treatment for is five years. Serious indirect effects include pulmonary embolism and uterine cancer. I leave be taking Tamoxifen for five years following the accomplishment of chemotherapy. CVS states that whole prescriptions for Tamoxifen were filled correctly.

Fluoride

The fluoride tablets involved in the associate-up are flavored chewable tablets. They are usually prescribed during children ages six to nine to control prevent tooth decay. It is general for pediatricians to prescribe fluoride in areas in which place the tap water is not fluoridated, nevertheless there is controversy over the application of fluoride supplements. Dr. Jeremy E. Kaslow, MD FACP FACAAI, states that too much fluoride can be toxic. My oldest nursling took fluoride supplements and she had very few dental problems with no unfavorable reactions.

Kids and breast cancer drugs

As a parent, I find the mix-up of a breast cancer-fighting drug and chewable children's tablets irremissible. Pharmaceutical mistakes can have disastrous consequences. Fortunately, in that place are no instances reported where children desire ingested the incorrectly dispensed Tamoxifen. Parents in the Chatham, New Jersey definite space who have had prescriptions for fluoride supplements filled at CVS should restrain the tablets to prevent giving children Tamoxifen.

Lynda Altman is currently receiving treatment for a type of chest cancer called invasive ductal carcinoma. She writes a series for Yahoo! Shine called "My Battle through Breast Cancer."

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