Man crippled by taking Antabuse prescription

He developed symptoms of polyneuropathy, or the inability of person’s motor-neuron system to function properly, from Antabuse, a drug that is not approved by the Department of Health (DOH).

The 30-year-old male, described only in the report as “the son of a woman surnamed Cheng,” became an alcoholic three years ago because of his work. He then received medical attention from Lin Shih-ku, a doctor at Taipei City Hospital, Songde Campus, who prescribed Antabuse to treat the addiction.

Serious side effects started three months after taking Antabuse, rendering Cheng’s son unable to walk without difficulty.

“During the most serious times, he was unable to put back on his slipper that came off, with his toe, like a normal person,” according to United Daily News.

Cheng was unaware the symptoms were side effects of taking Antabuse before doctor Chang Yin-ming, a neurologist from Jen-Ai Hospital informed her to stop her son from taking any more medicine. Cheng later discovered her son’s adverse reaction was the 33rd such case identified worldwide by a neurologist Yeh Pin-chiang from National Taiwan University Hospital.

Cheng tried to apply for financial assistance on behalf of her son through the Taiwan Drug Relief Foundation (TPRF); however, the TPRF denied the request because Antabuse is permitted and imported for cases of “special treatment,” although it was never approved by the DOH.

Cheng said, “I only have one son, and if the doctor who prescribed the medicine had informed me about the serious side effects, I would have never allowed my son to take it.”

“The DOH did not act as a watchdog to monitor drugs and protect patients’ health. They are supposed to examine medicines and register them before they go on the market,” she said, adding, “I will go through the judiciary and have justice served.”

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