Our local doctor's office was to start at (.35), which my child had worked up to. That vial was finished and upon receiving the second vial, the nurse automatically gave my child (.35) instead of (.05), seven times the amount he should have received. It caused a severe local reaction, and I was unaware this had taken place until I actually ask to see the flow sheet and discovered what had happened. My child had complained of headaches and had coughing, which I attributed to his chronic sinusitis. In fact, the day before I discovered this error, we had to take my child back to the allergist because of his congestion and my child was put on prednisone, which helped his cough and nose.

How serious was this error and are there any long-term effects of receiving the dose. I am pretty sure the pediatrician doesn't know of this and I don't want to overreact. What can you tell me about receiving such a large dose? -- S.W., Alabama

An overdose of an allergy injection can cause a severe systemic or local reaction, usually within the first 20-30 minutes after receiving the injection, but possibly up to 24-48 hours later. It is unlikely there are long term effects to this, but you should discuss it with your child's allergist to be sure.

It is certainly not overreacting to point out the overdose to both the physician's office who administered the injection and the physician who prescribed it. If your child is going to be receiving allergy injections from the local clinic, you have a right do all you can to assure quality and safety.

To see how the prescribing physician, the administering physician, and the patient can work together to make allergy injections safer, see my item:
Is it safe for any nurse to give allergy shots?

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