FDA Alerts Providers about Similar Sounding Drugs Durezol and Durasal

Pharmacists and other providers should be aware of the potential for injury when dispensing the similar sounding drugs Durezol and Durasal, states a December 28, 2011, notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Durezol is an FDA-approved eye medicine prescribed for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery, whereas Durasal is an unapproved prescription topical wart remover. According to the notice, several cases have been reported arising from confusion between Durezol and Durasal, including one report of a serious injury that occurred when a pharmacist mistakenly gave an eye surgery patient Durasal, the salicylic acid–containing wart remover, instead of the prescribed Durezol eye drops.