Three children in Kentucky have been rushed to the hospital after taking a drug that local officials believe may have been contaminated by a pharmacy.
Among these children are one-year-old Ian Burkett and five-year-old Rayven Winters.
Ian had to be sedated and put on a ventilator in the ER, while Rayven remains unresponsive in the intensive care unit.
The Medication in Question
Both Ian and Rayven had been prescribed Clonidine Oral Suspension, also known by its brand name Onyda XR, without any previous issues.
This liquid medication is often used for children with ADHD who struggle to swallow pills and has also been prescribed for high blood pressure for over four decades.
A Familiar Routine Turns Dangerous
On a recent Sunday evening, Rayven took her usual dose of Clonidine before settling down to play.
Within just ten minutes, her condition rapidly deteriorated—her eyes rolled back, and she was unresponsive despite her mother’s desperate attempts to wake her.
Tabitha Drew, Rayven’s mother, feared the worst and called 911.
Emergency Response and Suspicions
When EMTs arrived, they administered Narcan, a medication typically used to reverse opioid overdoses.
The reason for its use hasn’t been confirmed, but it suggests that there might have been an opioid contamination in the medication.
Drew noted that as soon as the EMTs saw the bottle, they immediately administered Narcan.
Possible Errors in Pharmacy Practices
There are concerns about errors in the pharmacy where the medication was dispensed.
Liquid medications can be prone to dosing errors, which might occur during the mixing process.
This could potentially lead to either overdoses or insufficient dosages.
The Impact on Other Families
Rayven isn’t the only child affected.
Ian’s younger brother, Henry, also experienced severe drowsiness and unresponsiveness after taking Clonidine from the same pharmacy.
Like Rayven, Henry was given Narcan by emergency responders and later placed on a ventilator in the ER.
Thankfully, Henry is now recovering at home, but his family is demanding answers.
Investigation and Ongoing Concerns
The local police and the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy are focusing their investigation on the Med Save pharmacy in Eminence, Kentucky, where the contaminated Clonidine was dispensed.
This statewide chain is affiliated with The Medicine Shoppe.
The Kentucky Board of Pharmacy has indicated that an error at the pharmacy might be to blame, but the exact cause of the contamination has yet to be determined.
Previous Cases and Current Warnings
This isn’t the first time such issues have arisen with Clonidine.
Past cases, including incidents in New Mexico and Massachusetts, highlight the risks associated with liquid medications and the importance of careful preparation.
Although these incidents are rare, they underscore the need for vigilance.
What to Do if You’re Affected
Authorities have advised anyone with Clonidine Oral Suspension from the Eminence Med Save to stop using it immediately.
They are urging parents to watch for symptoms such as sudden loss of consciousness, crying fits, slow heart rate, slow breathing, or pinpoint pupils, and to seek emergency help if these occur.
Moving Forward
The investigation is still ongoing, and both the local police and the Board of Pharmacy are committed to determining what went wrong and ensuring the safety of Kentucky residents.
“Our job is to uncover the cause and take appropriate action,” said Christopher Harlow, executive director of the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy.
For now, it’s crucial for anyone with prescriptions from this pharmacy to be cautious and report any concerning symptoms to their healthcare provider.
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