For example, the dosage listed for Viagra is "0.5-1.0 mg IV q 3-5 min prn" -- in other words, the program is telling me to give Viagra 0.5 to 1 mg intravenously every 3 - 5 minutes as needed...
Addendum: This corruption of the Epocrates drug database, besides being humorous, has serious patient safety implications. To their credit, Epocrates noticed this post and quickly replied:
Dear Dr. Schwimmer,
It has come to our attention that an entry was recently posted to www.kidneynotes.com regarding our product. Specifically, the post [available at: http://www.kidneynotes.com/2007/06/epocrates-viagra-screwup.html ] reads as follows.
6.16.2007
Epocrates Viagra Screwup
Epocrates, a drug database for the Palm, is totally screwed up today.
For example, the dosage listed for Viagra is "0.5-1.0 mg IV q 3-5 min prn" -- in other words, the program is telling me to give Viagra 0.5 to 1 mg intravenously every 3 - 5 minutes as needed...
We are concerned that you may have corrupted data, as our Viagra monograph has never contained such information. The dosing content contained in the Epocrates Rx Viagra monograph reads as follows, and has not substantially changed since its original publication.
erectile dysfunction
[50 mg PO x1]
Start: 25 mg PO x1 if >65 yo, potent CYP 3A4 inhibitor use; Max: 100 mg/dose, 1 dose/day; see Drug Interactions for drug-specific limits; Info: take 0.5-4h prior to intercourse
renal dosing
[adjust dose amount]
CrCl <30: start 25 mg PO x1; HD: not defined
hepatic dosing
[adjust dose amount]
hepatic impairment/cirrhosis: start 25 mg x1
The data that is displaying on your device sounds to be from an Epocrates Table for ACLS: Bradycardia, which is why we believe that your version if corrupted. Please contact me at your earliest convenience so that we may assist you in reinstalling your software to clear out this corrupted data.
Sincerely,
Joshua Conrad, PharmD
Epocrates, Inc.