Written by: Ray Abbas
Discovering you’ve been given the wrong medication can be frightening and confusing. Whether the pharmacy gave wrong medication, the hospital gave wrong medication, or there were medication administration errors during your care, taking immediate action is crucial for your health and safety.
Medication errors are more common than many people realise. According to the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), unsafe medication practices are the leading cause of avoidable harm worldwide. In Australia alone, medicine-related problems lead to 250,000 hospital admissions each year, and half of these could have been prevented with better systems and oversight.
This July 2025 guide offers clear, step-by-step advice on what to do if you’ve been given the wrong medication. It’s designed to help you protect your health while also safeguarding your rights in case legal action becomes necessary.
What is a medication error?
A medication error occurs when you don’t receive the right medication at the right time, in the correct dose, or via the proper method of administration. This can take many forms: receiving the wrong drug entirely, the correct drug at the wrong dose, or even the right drug administered in the wrong way (like an oral tablet given intravenously).
Common medication errors include mistakes with prescriptions, dispensing and administration.
Common medication errors include mistakes with prescriptions, dispensing and administration.
| Medication error | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription errors | These happen when doctors prescribe the wrong medication or dosage. Errors may stem from illegible handwriting, confusion between similar drug names, incorrect dosage calculations, or failure to check for potential drug interactions. | A patient prescribed Celebrex (for arthritis) might mistakenly receive Cerebyx (an anti-seizure drug) due to name similarity, an error that can have serious consequences. |
| Dispensing errors | These occur at the pharmacy, where staff may give out the wrong medication or dosage. High workload, similar packaging, and fast-paced environments all contribute to the risk. | A pharmacist might confuse Zantac (used for heartburn) with Zyrtec (used for allergies), especially when labels look alike or prescriptions aren’t double-checked. |
| Administration errors | These are most common in hospitals or aged care settings. They can involve giving medication to the wrong patient, using the wrong route (like injecting an oral medication), or giving it at the wrong time. | A nurse might administer the correct medication but via the wrong route—such as intravenously instead of orally—leading to dangerous complications. |
| Communication breakdowns | Poor information-sharing between healthcare providers, especially during shift changes or patient transfers, can lead to critical details being missed. | If your allergy history isn’t communicated to a new doctor or pharmacist, you may receive a medication that triggers a serious allergic reaction. |
| Misdiagnosis or Diagnostic | Errors in medical diagnosis can lead to inappropriate or unnecessary medication being prescribed, or essential treatment being delayed or missed entirely. | A patient misdiagnosed with anxiety might be prescribed sedatives when the actual cause was a heart condition, delaying proper treatment. |
Immediate steps: What to do after wrong medication given to patient
Realising you’ve taken the wrong medication can be alarming, but acting quickly can protect your health and support any future claim.
Step 1: Assess your immediate safety
Stop taking the medication immediately, even if it’s been days or weeks. Take a moment to honestly assess how you’re feeling. Your body may be reacting to the medication, even if the effects are subtle at first.
Watch for symptoms such as:
- Rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing (allergic reactions)
- Chest pain or irregular heart rate
- Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting
- Confusion or blurry vision
- A general sense that something isn’t right
If symptoms are severe:
- Call 000 for emergency medical assistance
- Contact the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26
- Have the medication packaging on hand when you call
Even if symptoms seem minor, don’t dismiss them. Many adverse effects worsen over time.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns. In an emergency, call 000 immediately.
Step 2: Contact healthcare providers
Once you’ve assessed your immediate condition, let your healthcare team know what’s happened.
Call these contacts in order:
- Your prescribing doctor: They know your medical history and can advise you on next steps
- The pharmacy: Speak directly to the pharmacist who dispensed the medication
- The hospital or healthcare facility: If the error occurred during inpatient care
What to tell them:
- “I believe I was given the wrong medication”
- The medication you were supposed to receive
- The medication you were actually given
- When and how much you took
- Any symptoms you’re experiencing
Be sure to document your calls. Note the name of the person you spoke with, the time, and any advice they gave.
Step 3: Preserve all evidence
Keeping records now can help protect your health and support any investigation or claim later on.
Keep the following:
- The incorrect medication and packaging
- Your original prescription (paper or digital)
- Pharmacy labels, receipts, and written instructions
Take clear photos of:
- Medication bottles, boxes, and labels
- Your prescription details
- Any visible symptoms or reactions
Create a written record
- When you received and took the medication
- When you discovered the error
- Any symptoms you’ve experienced
- The sequence of events (with dates and times)
This documentation will be crucial if you pursue a medication error claim or seek compensation for wrong medication.
If you’re unsure about what to do next, or need help navigating the process, consider speaking with a specialist medication error lawyer. At GMP Law, we offer free consultations and can help you understand your legal options with compassion and clarity.
Call us for confidential, free legal advice.
How to recognise the signs of a medication error
Medication errors can be difficult to detect at first, but they often leave clues. If something feels off after starting a new medication, it’s worth investigating, especially if physical, cardiovascular, or neurological symptoms appear suddenly or don’t match what you were told to expect.
Here are some of the most common warning signs that may indicate you’ve received the wrong medication, the wrong dose, or incorrect instructions:
1. New or unexpected physical symptoms
Physical reactions are often the first signal that something is wrong.
These may include:
- Allergic responses such as rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
- Digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or stomach pain
- Any unusual symptom that appears after starting the medication
2. Cardiovascular warning signs
Errors involving heart or blood pressure medication can quickly become dangerous.
Watch for:
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain or tightness
- Fluctuating or abnormally low blood pressure
- Shortness of breath or fainting
These symptoms require immediate medical attention.
3. Neurological symptoms
The nervous system is sensitive to changes in medication.
Potential signs include:
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Confusion, disorientation, or memory lapses
- Seizures or tremors
- Slurred speech or difficulty concentrating
Even mild symptoms in this category should not be ignored.
4. Lack of improvement or worsening condition
If the condition your medication was meant to treat isn’t improving—or is getting worse—that’s a red flag.
This might mean:
- You were given the wrong medication entirely
- The dosage is incorrect
- The instructions don’t align with your prescription
Always check in with your doctor if your symptoms persist.
5. Changes in appearance or instructions
If the medication looks different than expected or you’ve been given new instructions that weren’t discussed with your doctor:
- Verify the name, dose, and instructions on the label
- Look out for pills that are a different shape, size, or colour
- Don’t assume changes are harmless; ask the pharmacist or doctor
Mistakes in labelling, packaging, or dispensing are more common than many realise.
Why do medication errors happen?
Medication errors can occur at any stage—from prescribing and dispensing to administration— and often involve a combination of systemic issues and human error.
What increases the risk?
Several factors contribute to these mistakes, including:
- Illegible handwriting on prescriptions
- Similar-sounding or look-alike drug names
- Lack of standardised checks and protocols
- Inadequate patient identification
- High-pressure environments with overworked staff
Understanding these risks doesn’t excuse what happened, but it can help you ask the right questions, advocate for yourself, and take steps to stay safe.
If you’ve experienced a medication error, you’re not alone, and support is available.
Where and how errors happen
| Location | Common errors | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy | Dispensing mistakes |
|
| Hospital | Administration errors |
|
| Doctor’s office | Prescription errors |
|
Example scenario: What to do if the wrong medication is given to a patient
Sarah, a 45-year-old teacher, was prescribed Lipitor (atorvastatin) to manage high cholesterol. At her local pharmacy, she was mistakenly given Lisinopril, which is used to treat high blood pressure.
| What happened | What Sarah should have done |
|---|---|
|
|
This example shows how quickly a medication error can have serious effects, and why acting quickly matters.
If you believe a medication error has affected you or someone you care about, our personal injury team can help. We’re experienced in handling medical negligence claims and can guide you through your legal options.
Find out how much you can claim today.
How to build a strong record for a medication error claim
If you’ve been given the wrong medication, keeping detailed records is one of the most important steps you can take. Thorough documentation not only helps your healthcare providers respond appropriately, it also plays a critical role in investigations and any potential medication error compensation claim.
The evidence you gather now can significantly strengthen your position when you pursue legal action for medical negligence or pharmacy error.
1. Create a clear timeline of events
Start by writing down a detailed, date-specific timeline that includes:
- When you were prescribed the medication
- When you collected it from the pharmacy
- When you first took the medication
- When you noticed something was wrong
- Any symptoms or side effects you experienced
- When and how you reported the error
This timeline is vital for establishing the sequence of events and showing how the mistake unfolded.
2. Keep a daily symptom diary
Even if you feel okay at first, it’s important to track how your body and mind respond over time.
Document:
- Physical symptoms (e.g. rash, nausea, dizziness)
- Emotional or psychological changes (e.g. anxiety, panic, brain fog)
- Any changes in the condition you were being treated for
3. Record all communication with healthcare providers
- Doctors and specialists
- Pharmacists
- Nurses or other healthcare staff
Note who you spoke with, when, what was discussed, and any advice or follow-up instructions you received. Save texts, emails, appointment summaries, and voice messages whenever possible.
4. Keep financial records and receipts
To support a claim for medication error damages, document all costs associated with the error:
- Cost of the incorrect medication
- Medical appointments or hospital visits
- Travel expenses for healthcare-related trips
- Lost income if you had to take time off work
These records may form the basis of your compensation calculation.
5. Take photographs of visible symptoms
If you experience physical reactions such as:
- Skin rashes or swelling
- Bruising or other visible injuries
- Medical devices or bandages applied after treatment
Take clear, dated photographs. These images can serve as compelling visual evidence in both medical and legal investigations.
6. Organise and back up your documentation
Keep your records:
- Digitally (scanned copies, photos, emails, cloud storage)
- Physically (printed documents, receipts, medical letters)
Store originals in a secure place, and ensure you have copies available for your legal team, medical providers, or regulatory bodies.
Why this matters
In a medication error claim, your word is important, but evidence is essential.
Accurate, well-organised documentation can support your case, strengthen your credibility, and help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to under Australian medical negligence law.
If you’re unsure what to document or need legal guidance, our medical negligence lawyers can help you understand your rights and next steps.
Understanding your rights as a patient
As a patient, you have the right to receive safe, appropriate, and respectful healthcare.
When providers fail to meet these standards, your legal and ethical rights may be violated. Understanding these rights helps you advocate for yourself and make informed decisions.
1. Right to safe and high-quality care
Under the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, you are entitled to safe, high-quality treatment. This includes:
- Receiving the correct medication
- Proper administration and dosage
- Ongoing monitoring for safety and effectiveness
If you receive the wrong medication, this right has been breached.
2. Right to be informed
You should be clearly told:
- What medications you’re receiving
- Why they are being prescribed
- What side effects or outcomes to expect
Your healthcare provider must answer your questions thoroughly and respectfully.
3. Right to dignity and respect
When mistakes happen, they should be handled:
- Professionally
- Compassionately
- Without blame or dismissal
You have the right to a sincere apology and appropriate steps to correct the situation.
4. Right to participate in care decisions
You can:
- Ask questions
- Seek second opinions
- Choose whether to accept or refuse treatment
If you’re uncomfortable with how a medication error is handled, you may seek care elsewhere.
5. Right to privacy
Your medical information must be kept confidential. Investigations or reports should be conducted discreetly.
You also have the right to:
- Access your medical records
- Receive copies of any reports about the error
When medication errors become medical negligence
Not every medication error is legally actionable, but when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and harm results, it may constitute medical negligence.
Mistakes like prescribing the wrong drug, incorrect dosing, or administering medication at the wrong time can lead to serious health consequences. If these errors were avoidable and caused harm, legal action may be an option.
To learn more, see: Can you sue a doctor for giving the wrong medication?
When to consider legal action after a medication error
Not every medication error warrants legal action. However, if the mistake has caused significant harm—such as physical injury, long-term health complications, or financial loss—you may be entitled to medical negligence compensation.
Legal action is more likely to be justified when the error resulted from gross negligence, a repeated pattern of unsafe care, or when the healthcare provider failed to respond appropriately. Emotional distress and a loss of trust in the medical system can also factor into a claim.
If you’ve experienced serious consequences from a medication error, seeking legal advice can help you understand whether a claim is worth pursuing.
