Prescription drug addiction is a huge problem. Opioids seems to be the drug of choice in our area. Unfortunately, we have some doctors to be blamed for patient addiction. Arguably, over prescribing medications could certainly be considered malpractice and can also lead to wrongful death.
Medications That Are Most Commonly Over Prescribed
There are multiple medications that can be over prescribed including opioids. The following is a list of the most common over prescribed medications over the past years…
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
The Hazard of Over Prescribing Medications
Prescription drugs are commonly prescribed to control pain after surgery or if a patient is involved in an accident with serious injuries. They can be vital in a patient’s recovery. However, they are very addictive. The following are the adverse effects of using prescription pain medications…
- Prevents a Patient From Utilizing Other Pain Management – If a patient is prescribed opioids for pain, then they don’t seek other ways to control their pain and then can easily become addicted. As a result their pain can be harder to control if they do try other options.
- Symptoms and Side Effects – As with many medications there can be side effects. With opioids it could potentially be life threatening. Some people may experience symptoms of nausea, vomiting, dizziness or constipation. Opioids will impair you driving.
- Respiratory Concerns – Respiratory depression is a very common concern with opioid overdoses and could be potentially cause death. With respiratory depression, one’s breathing can become very shallow and decreases significantly. If a person doesn’t receive enough oxygen, it can lead to hypoxia. Brain damage could be a result, if one survives.
Why Over Prescription Can Be Considered Malpractice
Physicians take an oath to treat the ill to the best of their ability and uphold certain medical standards to properly treat their patients. If a physician over prescribes medications, this could certainly be an infringement this oath. A physicians standard of care is based on other physicians that treat the same type patient and comparing both physicians level of medical training. If it is found that a physician doesn’t treat their patient with the same level of care as someone with the same background, it could be an infringement of the oath they are sworn to uphold. Physicians are aware of the consequences over prescribing medications can be and they should always be held accountable.
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When you have to deal with the justice system – whether related to a civil or criminal matter – you need more than the truth on your side. You need a skilled attorney who can employ sound legal strategies to produce the results you are hoping for. I am attorney Michael A. O’Hara, and I am licensed to practice in Kentucky and Ohio at the state level, as well as in Federal District Court and the Federal Court of Claims. I have been representing clients in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area since 1994.
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