7 Healthcast: Drug Switching

Lynn Dann of Jamaica Plain, suffers from epilepsy, and takes several medications to keep her well.

Lynn Dann/had prescription switched

"I take 4 different anti convulsion medications."

Recently, she had a scare when her prescriptions were switched to a generic without her knowledge.

Lynn Dann/had prescription switched

“I've had two circumstances where I've had to go from the non-generic to the generic version and the first circumstance was very scary.”

Lynn suffered some severe side effects.

Lynn Dann/had prescription switched

"Having this chest pain and also slight loss of my consciousness…I found myself on the floor, which was the first time I'd ever experienced that loss of consciousness with a seizure and that was so scary."

And she's not alone, many doctors say the switch to generics can be dangerous if not handled correctly.

Dr. Randy Zusman/MGH Heart Center

"So many of our patients recognize their pills by the shape or their color so they'll say I take two blue ones and a pink one, but the next time they get a supply the pink ones are now green and the green ones yellow and they're identifying colors rather than the actual medication."

Doctors say you always have to be careful when taking more than one medication.

Dr. Randy Zusman/MGH Heart Center

"Well drug-drug interactions are a big problem, so patients taking, for example, medication for their cholesterol and another doctor starts them perhaps on an antibiotic which may have an interaction, if they don't know about all those medications some serious consequences could result."

The best advice, always ask questions.

Doctors say it’s important for a patient know what medications they take, and not to be afraid to consult the pharmacist.

Dr. Randy Zusman/MGH Heart Center

"Well I find patients are generally reluctant to ask questions of their pharmacist, and they should ask those questions In fact, pharmacists I found like to interact with the patients, they look forward to answering those sorts of questions, so the patients shouldn't be intimidated".

And like Lynn, be your own best advocate.

Lynn Dann/had prescription switched

"When you do go to pick up your prescription, look at the label and see that it’s that exact medication that your doctor has told you that you’re going to get and see whether it says its non-generic."

Doctors say it is important to know what medications you are taking, how many you take, and how frequently you take them.

If something seems out of the ordinary with your usual prescription, bring it up to your doctor.

(Copyright (c) 2010 Sunbeam Television. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)