Alerts
Salagen (pilocarpine) and Selegiline (Eldepryl) Name Confusion
March 3, 2006
Dispensing errors have occurred when the brand name for pilocarpine tablets (Salagen) was confused with the generic name for selegiline tablets. Salagen has been dispensed instead of selegiline, and vice versa. Salagen is oral pilocarpine, a cholinergic parasympathomimetic agent used for the treatment of Sjogren syndrome at a dose of 5 mg four times daily. Selegiline is the generic name for Eldepryl, a selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase isozyme B (MAO-B) used for the treatment of Parkinson disease at a dose of 5 mg twice daily. Several strategies are recommended to reduce the risk of confusing these products:
- Pharmacies – Store the medications in separate places in the pharmacy.
- Prescribers – Write both the brand and generic names on all prescriptions.
- Pharmacy staff – Verify the brand and generic names with the prescriber whenever possible.
- Patients – Tell your pharmacist why you are taking these medications and report any changes in medication appearance.
Additional information is available online at the following links:
- FDA Patient Safety News:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/psn/transcript.cfm?show=48#9 - Institute for Safe Medication Practices alert:
http://www.ismp.org/newsletters/acutecare/articles/20050922_1.asp
Updated
March 3, 2006; University of Utah, Drug Information Service. Copyright 2009, Drug Information Service, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
