title: Use the INN to avoid confusion between drugs.
abstract: Three cases of confusion between brand names have been reported in detail. Previscan (the anticoagulant fluindione) was taken instead of Permixon (saw palmetto extract for prostatic hyperplasia, "serenoa repens") or Preservision (a nutritional supplement for the prevention of age-related eye disease). These medication errors led to sometimes severe haemorrhages.
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008903:Minerals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010630:Phenindione / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy; D028024:Serenoa / Q000009:adverse effects; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000925:Anticoagulants; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D008903:Minerals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014815:Vitamins; D010630:Phenindione; C017673:fluindione; C040972:saw palmetto extract