New product to be aware of (potential risk of dispensing errors)

[bobbin]

We are all used to Lumigan eye drops coming in only one strength. In fact, most eye drops only come in one strength and so the strength is sometimes not checked when dispensing.

So BEWARE! Allergan have just announced that they are launching a new strength of Lumigan eye drops: 0.01%. The standard strength is 0.03% (=0.3mg/ml

The new product will be available very soon.

Hope this helps.

PS. I also think it's worth considering that the new strength might get prescribed by mistake - by GPs who are not aware of it.

[DavidS]

Thanks, Bobbin.

[LeftArm]

Like when Beptoptic Suspension was released...

Thanks

[Pharmanaut]

Watch out for Panadol OA 1g Tablets.
They are an accident waiting to happen.

[Fleegle]

Mirapexin dosages always looked easy in the drug information releases...until it happened to you!

[bobbin]

Watch out for Panadol OA 1g Tablets.
They are an accident waiting to happen.

I wonder whether they'll be prescribed. The 500mg tabs are big enough. I certainly won't be ordering any in anticipation of receiving scripts.

[Pharmanaut]

I'm convinced that we need a better way of expressing strengths of eye drops.
When you get to two decimal places in percentages they get unwieldly.
Also get pronounced as point nought nought one.

What that method will be needs more brain power than I have left to think of.

[bobbin]

I'm convinced that we need a better way of expressing strengths of eye drops.
When you get to two decimal places in percentages they get unwieldly.
Also get pronounced as point nought nought one.

What that method will be needs more brain power than I have left to think of.

I think the most important thing is that the strengths are clearly differentiated via the packaging. Standard Lumigan comes in a white box so the new strength should come in a pale blue, green or red box, for example. I've no idea what colour Allergan have actually chosen, has anyone seen the new strength yet? If they've made it look exactly like the old strength I will not be impressed.

0.3 mg/ml is less unwieldy than 0.03%.

[DavidS]

Should we move this thread to the "errors" part of the forum and make it more general, so we can update it with other forthcoming expected disasters?

[bobbin]

Should we move this thread to the "errors" part of the forum and make it more general, so we can update it with other forthcoming expected disasters?

It's up to you D. I don't mind.

On the bright side, I don't think that dispensing the wrong strength of Lumigan would lead to a disaster!

According to the manufacturer, the new lower strength of Lumigan provides similar efficacy but improved tolerability ie. less redness and irritation of the eye(s) and fewer discontinuations due to adverse effects.

Bobbin