I was admitted through the emergency room with a diagnosis of hypoxic pneumonia. Having been a patient at this hospital for a cervical fusion surgery within the past 60 days, they had a record of my prescriptions.
I take a antiarythmitic drug called Sotolol which keeps my heart out of Atrial Fibulation with cardioversion. I was cardioverted (zapped) 5 days before I showed up at New London Hospital. All the literature warns against taking the antibiotic, Levofloxacin, if on Sotolol. Well I was given both during my 3 day hospital stay. Never an EKG to determine if I may have the fatal side effect of QT lengthening. Upon discharge I was given a prescription for the same antibiotic.
I filled the prescription. I read the literature the pharmacist gave me for the drug Levofloxacin.in bold letters it said not to take this drug if on Sotolol.
I called the pharmacist to discuss this. He recommended I not take the drug, and to call my PCP. I called my cardiologist and explained the situation. He asked me if I was given an EKG at the hospital after they started the antibiotic, Levofloxacin. I stated they had not. He then recommeded I stop taking the Levofloxacin, and he called in a prescription for an antibiotic without all the cardiac side effects.
I am grateful that I am alive today and will never use New London Hospital or Dr Swami again.
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