Drug Alerts

Every time you read an alert that impacts you, you take the first step in empowering yourself to prevent medication errors or other issues. But don't stop there: Take the next step by sharing this information with your healthcare professional, friends, and family. You can also tell us if something similar has happened to you by submitting a report.

The information you'll find in our Alerts section comes from the experts at The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)—in partnership with I-Guard—or through other highly respected, non-biased, safety-minded organizations. Sources include the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), drug manufacturers, the American Pharmaceutical Association, and the National Library of Medicine, to name a few. And if it doesn't come from ISMP, we'll always let you know.

	Not all capsules are meant to be swallowed.
	There are some asthma medications that come as powder-filled capsules. The powder inside though is meant to be breathed into the lungs using a special device called an inhaler. The powder is ineffe