Clipping Board » Drug Poisoning ─ It is necessary to be aware of the toxic side effects before taking medication.
United Daily News / Reporter Hong Jinghong / Taichung City Report / 2007.10.16 04:59 am
A 38-year-old woman in Taichung City, Zhan Guifang, sought treatment at a clinic for otitis media and continued taking medication for ten months. The amount of medication increased over time, even exceeding 50 pills a day. She was eventually hospitalized due to shock and diagnosed with uremia, potentially requiring lifelong dialysis.
Zhan Guifang's father, Zhan Chaosheng, filed charges against the clinic's physician, Chen Yanliang, for professional negligence, fraud, and grievous bodily harm. He also printed a booklet detailing his daughter's medical journey, with the cover stating, "Doctor prescribes over 20 types of medication a day, patient takes more than 50 pills daily," accusing Chen Yanliang of "turning otitis media into uremia."
Chen Yanliang, a physician at Taichung City's Nature Clinic, continued his practice as usual yesterday. When approached by reporters, he stated that the matter was under judicial review and declined to comment.
Zhan Guifang did not appear yesterday, with her father delivering the booklet to the media. Zhan Chaosheng expressed that his daughter only had a minor ear issue and never expected it to lead to dialysis. She has lost all hope and no longer trusts doctors.
In her account, Zhan Guifang mentioned that she visited Nature Clinic in May last year due to pain and discharge from her left ear, diagnosed as otitis media. Three months later, she developed nasal allergies and headaches, and her daily medication increased from 30 to over 50 pills.
After six months of medication, she developed rashes on her left arm and right thigh, along with facial and leg swelling. When she questioned the doctor, she was told it was a normal detoxification reaction due to a poor immune system.
By March this year, she felt extremely fatigued and experienced blurred vision in her right eye. She was examined at China Medical University Hospital, where kidney issues were suspected. In April, she was rushed to Fengyuan Hospital due to confusion and shock, then transferred to Taichung Veterans General Hospital. Tests revealed her serum creatinine levels were as high as 6.6 (normal range 0.6-1.1), leading to a diagnosis of kidney failure and the need for dialysis.
Zhan Guifang lamented her trust in Dr. Chen, likening it to a student's obedience to a teacher, only to end up needing dialysis.
Zhan Chaosheng reviewed his daughter's medical receipts, noting a wide array of medications, including multiple types of painkillers, which he found alarming.
He mentioned that on some days, his daughter took 19 types of medication, totaling over 50 pills, "enough to fill her up just by taking pills."
He printed 3,000 copies of his daughter's medical story booklet, distributing them to medical professionals for judgment and to warn the public about misdiagnosis. Zhan Chaosheng stated that if they win the lawsuit, the compensation will be donated to impoverished dialysis patients in Taichung County.
Xie Jialing, head of the Medical Affairs Section at Taichung City Health Bureau, said that if the court finds Chen Yanliang at fault, the case will be referred to the Physician Disciplinary Committee, with the most severe penalty being the revocation of his medical license.
Pharmacist: Taking 5 types of medication at once is 100% problematic
United Daily News / Reporter Hong Jinghong / Taichung City Report / 2007.10.16 03:08 am
"How can so many medications be prescribed?" Zhan Guifang's medication list revealed 19 types, with dozens of pills to be taken daily. A pharmacist stated that taking more than five types of medication at once can easily cause interactions, and taking so many pills at once is "100% problematic."
After reviewing Zhan Guifang's prescription, Lin Hongchang, head of the pharmacy department at Taichung Hospital, noted that three types of antihistamines for nasal congestion, rhinitis, and allergies were prescribed, along with three types of analgesics and antacids, and even two types of medication for bronchitis. In total, she was taking 40-50 pills a day, which he deemed excessive.
He pointed out that since muscle relaxants, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, were already prescribed, there was no need for additional painkillers.Based on the medication list, the patient may have symptoms such as a cold, nasal congestion, cough, and respiratory inflammation, paired with antacids to alleviate stomach discomfort. It appears that the symptoms are not severe, and there are no chronic illnesses. The doctor would prescribe a maximum of three to four types of medication, not exceeding sixteen pills per day.
Chen Jinhua, a standing director of the Taichung City Pharmacists Association, stated that according to statistics, the average number of pills per prescription for American patients is 1.8, while in Taiwan, it is 4.2. "Taking dozens of pills a day is really excessive."
He mentioned that taking too many medications not only increases the metabolic burden on the liver and kidneys but also leads to drug interactions, which can interfere with the efficacy of the medications and even affect health. If patients have doubts about the medications prescribed by their doctors after a consultation, they can directly ask the pharmacist or consult the local pharmacists' association to ensure their health.
Source: http:/ / gb. udn. com/ gb/ mag. udn……f_SUB_ID=1414& f_ART_ID=87256
Lin Xinyi, Deng Muqing / Taichung Report
A 40-year-old woman, Zhan Guifang, sought treatment for otitis media at Taichung City's Nature Clinic two years ago. At her peak, she was taking more than 50 pills a day, which led to her developing uremia and requiring lifelong dialysis. This case caused a public uproar after being reported by the media. Unexpectedly, Zhan, feeling utterly hopeless, refused further medical treatment. One day, under her father's semi-forced insistence, she was taken to the hospital but died beside her father.
The accused Nature Clinic ceased operations following the outbreak of this incident, and the physician, Chen Yanliang, has refused to make any public statements, awaiting the judicial verdict.
Regarding why Dr. Chen Yanliang initially prescribed dozens of pills for his daughter to take, Zhan's father said he still sees no remorse from Chen Yanliang. He intuitively believes the doctor is a quack, a foolish doctor; otherwise, how could he have a patient take so many pills a day, mixing Chinese and Western medicines, which is completely unreasonable.
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ 2……0503+112008010300419,00. html
In response to the news report (October 18, 2007) titled "50 Pills a Day Turns Ear Infection into Uremia," which has once again heightened tensions between doctors and patients, the National Union of Physicians Associations has issued the following statement to prevent public misinformation due to biased reporting:
1. First, it is necessary to clarify whether Ms. Zhan's suspected kidney issues and episodes of confusion and shock between March and April 2007, with a serum creatinine level as high as 6.6, diagnosed as kidney failure, were related to the aforementioned medications or caused by other factors. As this matter is now under judicial review, it should await clarification by medical professionals.
2. Regarding the claim that "taking five types of medication at once is prone to interactions and is '100% problematic,'" it is important to understand that interactions between drugs, between drugs and food, and the effects of drugs on diseases themselves cannot be determined solely based on the number of medications. Physicians prescribe medications based on professional judgment to achieve therapeutic effects, selecting drugs with fewer side effects. Some medications should not be combined, while others should be taken on an empty stomach or after meals. When prescribing, physicians have already considered these factors. They prescribe appropriate medications based on the severity and complexity of the illness, minimizing drug interactions. The claim that "taking five types of medication at once is prone to interactions and is '100% problematic'" is clearly inappropriate.
3. According to reports, statistics indicate that in the United States, the average number of prescription medications per person per dose is 1.8, while in Taiwan, it is currently 4.2. However, it is important to note that U.S. prescriptions only include prescription medications, while over-the-counter (OTC) drugs (such as fever reducers, painkillers, headache medications, cough and phlegm remedies, antihistamines, nasal decongestants, or antacids) are not included. In the U.S., OTC drugs can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription and are commonly kept at home. In Taiwan, a single prescription includes both prescription and OTC medications, which is why the number is higher than the U.S. average of 1.8 pills. In reality, Americans may actually consume more medications than the average in Taiwan when considering both prescription and OTC drugs readily available at home.
For example, for an upper respiratory infection with gastrointestinal discomfort (symptoms including headache, fever, cough, runny nose, vomiting, abdominal pain, sore throat, etc.), commonly used medications include:
1. Scanol (headache medication, OTC)
2. Mucosolvon (phlegm-reducing medication, OTC)
3. Polaramin (nasal decongestant, OTC)
4. Motilium (anti-nausea medication, prescription)
5. Mylanta (antacid, OTC)
In the U.S., only one prescription medication, Motilium, would appear on the prescription, while in Taiwan, the prescription would include all five medications (both prescription and OTC). We urge that statistical data be presented with clear explanations of the contextual differences between the two countries to avoid misleading the public with inaccurate statements, which could harm society before any benefits are realized.
4. The doctor-patient relationship is built on mutual trust and reliance. We urge the public to ask their doctors directly if they have any questions during medical visits and to communicate any issues during treatment to maintain a good doctor-patient relationship and improve the quality of healthcare.
1 Day, 50 Pills: Otitis Turns into Uremia
A 38-year-old woman in Taichung City, Zhan Guifang, sought treatment at a clinic for otitis media and continued taking medication for ten months. The amount of medication increased over time, even exceeding 50 pills a day. She was eventually hospitalized due to shock and diagnosed with uremia, potentially requiring lifelong dialysis.
Zhan Guifang's father, Zhan Chaosheng, filed charges against the clinic's physician, Chen Yanliang, for professional negligence, fraud, and grievous bodily harm. He also printed a booklet detailing his daughter's medical journey, with the cover stating, "Doctor prescribes over 20 types of medication a day, patient takes more than 50 pills daily," accusing Chen Yanliang of "turning otitis media into uremia."
Chen Yanliang, a physician at Taichung City's Nature Clinic, continued his practice as usual yesterday. When approached by reporters, he stated that the matter was under judicial review and declined to comment.
Zhan Guifang did not appear yesterday, with her father delivering the booklet to the media. Zhan Chaosheng expressed that his daughter only had a minor ear issue and never expected it to lead to dialysis. She has lost all hope and no longer trusts doctors.
In her account, Zhan Guifang mentioned that she visited Nature Clinic in May last year due to pain and discharge from her left ear, diagnosed as otitis media. Three months later, she developed nasal allergies and headaches, and her daily medication increased from 30 to over 50 pills.
After six months of medication, she developed rashes on her left arm and right thigh, along with facial and leg swelling. When she questioned the doctor, she was told it was a normal detoxification reaction due to a poor immune system.
By March this year, she felt extremely fatigued and experienced blurred vision in her right eye. She was examined at China Medical University Hospital, where kidney issues were suspected. In April, she was rushed to Fengyuan Hospital due to confusion and shock, then transferred to Taichung Veterans General Hospital. Tests revealed her serum creatinine levels were as high as 6.6 (normal range 0.6-1.1), leading to a diagnosis of kidney failure and the need for dialysis.
Zhan Guifang lamented her trust in Dr. Chen, likening it to a student's obedience to a teacher, only to end up needing dialysis.
Zhan Chaosheng reviewed his daughter's medical receipts, noting a wide array of medications, including multiple types of painkillers, which he found alarming.
He mentioned that on some days, his daughter took 19 types of medication, totaling over 50 pills, "enough to fill her up just by taking pills."
He printed 3,000 copies of his daughter's medical story booklet, distributing them to medical professionals for judgment and to warn the public about misdiagnosis. Zhan Chaosheng stated that if they win the lawsuit, the compensation will be donated to impoverished dialysis patients in Taichung County.
Xie Jialing, head of the Medical Affairs Section at Taichung City Health Bureau, said that if the court finds Chen Yanliang at fault, the case will be referred to the Physician Disciplinary Committee, with the most severe penalty being the revocation of his medical license.
Pharmacist: Taking 5 types of medication at once is 100% problematic
United Daily News / Reporter Hong Jinghong / Taichung City Report / 2007.10.16 03:08 am
"How can so many medications be prescribed?" Zhan Guifang's medication list revealed 19 types, with dozens of pills to be taken daily. A pharmacist stated that taking more than five types of medication at once can easily cause interactions, and taking so many pills at once is "100% problematic."
After reviewing Zhan Guifang's prescription, Lin Hongchang, head of the pharmacy department at Taichung Hospital, noted that three types of antihistamines for nasal congestion, rhinitis, and allergies were prescribed, along with three types of analgesics and antacids, and even two types of medication for bronchitis. In total, she was taking 40-50 pills a day, which he deemed excessive.
He pointed out that since muscle relaxants, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, were already prescribed, there was no need for additional painkillers.Based on the medication list, the patient may have symptoms such as a cold, nasal congestion, cough, and respiratory inflammation, paired with antacids to alleviate stomach discomfort. It appears that the symptoms are not severe, and there are no chronic illnesses. The doctor would prescribe a maximum of three to four types of medication, not exceeding sixteen pills per day.
Chen Jinhua, a standing director of the Taichung City Pharmacists Association, stated that according to statistics, the average number of pills per prescription for American patients is 1.8, while in Taiwan, it is 4.2. "Taking dozens of pills a day is really excessive."
He mentioned that taking too many medications not only increases the metabolic burden on the liver and kidneys but also leads to drug interactions, which can interfere with the efficacy of the medications and even affect health. If patients have doubts about the medications prescribed by their doctors after a consultation, they can directly ask the pharmacist or consult the local pharmacists' association to ensure their health.
Source: http:/ / gb. udn. com/ gb/ mag. udn……f_SUB_ID=1414& f_ART_ID=87256
Ear Disease Leads to Uremia; Patient Refuses Dialysis and Dies
A 40-year-old woman, Zhan Guifang, sought treatment for otitis media at Taichung City's Nature Clinic two years ago. At her peak, she was taking more than 50 pills a day, which led to her developing uremia and requiring lifelong dialysis. This case caused a public uproar after being reported by the media. Unexpectedly, Zhan, feeling utterly hopeless, refused further medical treatment. One day, under her father's semi-forced insistence, she was taken to the hospital but died beside her father.
The accused Nature Clinic ceased operations following the outbreak of this incident, and the physician, Chen Yanliang, has refused to make any public statements, awaiting the judicial verdict.
Regarding why Dr. Chen Yanliang initially prescribed dozens of pills for his daughter to take, Zhan's father said he still sees no remorse from Chen Yanliang. He intuitively believes the doctor is a quack, a foolish doctor; otherwise, how could he have a patient take so many pills a day, mixing Chinese and Western medicines, which is completely unreasonable.
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ 2……0503+112008010300419,00. html
Medical Association Issues Statement on "50 Pills A Day for Ear Infection Leads to Uremia" News Report
1. First, it is necessary to clarify whether Ms. Zhan's suspected kidney issues and episodes of confusion and shock between March and April 2007, with a serum creatinine level as high as 6.6, diagnosed as kidney failure, were related to the aforementioned medications or caused by other factors. As this matter is now under judicial review, it should await clarification by medical professionals.
2. Regarding the claim that "taking five types of medication at once is prone to interactions and is '100% problematic,'" it is important to understand that interactions between drugs, between drugs and food, and the effects of drugs on diseases themselves cannot be determined solely based on the number of medications. Physicians prescribe medications based on professional judgment to achieve therapeutic effects, selecting drugs with fewer side effects. Some medications should not be combined, while others should be taken on an empty stomach or after meals. When prescribing, physicians have already considered these factors. They prescribe appropriate medications based on the severity and complexity of the illness, minimizing drug interactions. The claim that "taking five types of medication at once is prone to interactions and is '100% problematic'" is clearly inappropriate.
3. According to reports, statistics indicate that in the United States, the average number of prescription medications per person per dose is 1.8, while in Taiwan, it is currently 4.2. However, it is important to note that U.S. prescriptions only include prescription medications, while over-the-counter (OTC) drugs (such as fever reducers, painkillers, headache medications, cough and phlegm remedies, antihistamines, nasal decongestants, or antacids) are not included. In the U.S., OTC drugs can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription and are commonly kept at home. In Taiwan, a single prescription includes both prescription and OTC medications, which is why the number is higher than the U.S. average of 1.8 pills. In reality, Americans may actually consume more medications than the average in Taiwan when considering both prescription and OTC drugs readily available at home.
For example, for an upper respiratory infection with gastrointestinal discomfort (symptoms including headache, fever, cough, runny nose, vomiting, abdominal pain, sore throat, etc.), commonly used medications include:
1. Scanol (headache medication, OTC)
2. Mucosolvon (phlegm-reducing medication, OTC)
3. Polaramin (nasal decongestant, OTC)
4. Motilium (anti-nausea medication, prescription)
5. Mylanta (antacid, OTC)
In the U.S., only one prescription medication, Motilium, would appear on the prescription, while in Taiwan, the prescription would include all five medications (both prescription and OTC). We urge that statistical data be presented with clear explanations of the contextual differences between the two countries to avoid misleading the public with inaccurate statements, which could harm society before any benefits are realized.
4. The doctor-patient relationship is built on mutual trust and reliance. We urge the public to ask their doctors directly if they have any questions during medical visits and to communicate any issues during treatment to maintain a good doctor-patient relationship and improve the quality of healthcare.