Suit: Man given wrong prescription at south suburban Walgreens

A Walgreens in south suburban Hazel Crest filled a man’s prescription with the wrong medication in 2012, according to a lawsuit filed Friday.

Frank Scaccia filed the negligence lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging that on Sept. 30, 2102, the Walgreens pharmacy at 13501 Cicero Ave. in Hazel Crest, accidentally gave him Protonix, a medication that treats high levels of acid in the stomach and damage to the esophagus.

Scaccia was trying to fill a prescription for Xanax, which is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, according to his Attorney Michael Gravlin.

Scaccia had filled his prescriptions at that Walgreens location several times before, and the pharmacy keeps records of his prescription activity, according to the suit.

Nonetheless, Scaccia received Protonix pills in a Xanax bottle with a Xanax label, and he took the wrong pills for at least two days, Gravlin said.

“He’s anxious, so he takes a pill, but he’s not feeling better, so he takes another one,” Gravlin said. Scaccia was later diagnosed with pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, Gravlin said.

The one-count lawsuit accuses Walgreens of negligence and seeks an unspecified amount in damages.

A representative from Walgreens could not immediately comment on the lawsuit Friday evening.