Be Sure Your RAZADYNE ® is Not ROZEREM
If you or someone you know is taking RAZADYNE ® (galantamine HBr), we have important information to share with you. It has recently come to our attention that there has been some confusion in the prescribing and filling of two commonly prescribed pharmaceutical products. RAZADYNE ® is a product for the treatment of the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease marketed by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics ® , Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ROZEREM™ (ramelteon) is a product for the treatment of insomnia, marketed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
If you are a physician, please click here to learn about what you can do to help reduce error. If you are a pharmacist, please click here. For patients and caregivers, click here.
How were the medications confused?
The two medications share a similar starting dose of 8 mg. There have been a few reports of "look-alike, sound-alike" confusion between the two when prescriptions were presented at the pharmacy. Out of five cases, three cases resulted in the wrong product being dispensed.
Have there been any serious adverse events?
No serious adverse events have been reported.
What can patients and caregivers do to help minimize errors?
- Talk with your healthcare professional to make sure you have a complete understanding of your prescription before leaving their office
- Know the name and strength of your prescribed drugs
- Verify the information with the pharmacist before your medication is dispensed
- Double-check to make sure you are receiving the correct medication when refilling prescriptions at the pharmacy
How can healthcare prescribers help minimize errors?
- Be alert to the possibility of confusion
- Write full and legible prescriptions for these products and communicate oral prescriptions clearly
- Use both brand and generic names when communicating drug names
- Discuss the indications and proper use of these medications with patients
- Alert patients and caregivers that they should carefully check the medication they receive and promptly bring any questions or concerns to the attention of their pharmacist
How can pharmacists help minimize errors?
- Be alert and educate all staff members to the possibility of confusion
- Separate RAZADYNE ® and ROZEREM from each other on the shelf
- Confirm both brand and generic names prescribed on written and oral prescriptions
- Verify any information that is not clear with the physician before filling a prescription
- Use both brand and generic names when communicating within the pharmacy
- Counsel patients and caregivers about the brand and generic names and proper use of these medications
What if I have additional questions?
The Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC Customer Communications Center is available to address any additional questions providers may have at 1-800-526-7736 between the hours of 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST, Monday through Friday.
RAZADYNE ® ER is used to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease such as memory loss
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
In clinical trials, the most frequent adverse events with RAZADYNE ® ER were similar to the twice-daily formulation of galantamine HBr. With the twice-daily formulation of galantamine HBr, the most common side effects were nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Typically these side effects were mild and temporary.
RAZADYNE ® ER may not be for everyone. Some people experience a slowed heart rate, which may lead to fainting. Serious stomach problems can occur in people taking medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or those at risk for stomach ulcers.
For more information, read the full US Prescribing Information by clicking here.
ROZEREM™ is a registered trademark of Takeda Pharmaceutical and used under license by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.