Here is a little glimpse into the aggravations caused by noticing when things are not right. I have talked before about how I have a fear of writing something on my blog that is grammatically incorrect or even spelled wrong. I have found another issue. I really enjoy watching the TV show House. I like the lead character and the medicine stuff is cool, too. I was just watching the most recent episode and I caught something that bugged me. In the episode House is struggling with insomnia. He (House) asks his friend Dr. Wilson for sleeping pills and Wilson writes him a prescription. Here is the rub, when House picks up the prescription they show a glimpse of the bottle. I, being the pharmacist that I am, stop the show and pause it on the label so I can see what it says. Here is what was on it: Zolpidem 200mg #30 take one capsule three times a day until gone. Now, any pharmacist will get a kick out of the numerous mistakes with this rx. Zolpidem is generic Ambien and IS used for insomnia, but it is only available in 5mg and 10mg Tablets and would only be taken once a day at bedtime only as needed. I doubt that 200mg of Zolpidem three times a day was even tried in clinical trials. Also, when House shook the bottle it was full of tablets and not capsules. I was shocked and disappointed that such an error would be allowed on a show that seems to place a high value on being medically relevant and factual. Granted, pharmacists obsessive like myself are probably the only ones who stopped the show to read the label. It is maddening sometimes to have the urge to correct things and make sure what I say and do are correct. In my job, I am thankful for it, but I feel a little overly obsessive sometimes.
