A 75-year-old woman experienced fever and convulsions. She was treated for
diabetes mellitus, angina pectoris and also for arteritis with Buflomedil M
erck(R) (3 tab/d). Further investigations failed to find any aetiology. Buf
lomedil dosage was elevated to 6.3 mg/l (N=4-4.5 mg/l). The drug was discon
tinued and there was no recurrence of symptoms. There was no evidence of er
ror in dosage or interaction. A failure of the generic product was suspecte
d. Only a pharmacist solved the problem. Fonzylane(R) (buflomedil) had rece
ntly been switched to Buflomedil Merck(R) The patient misunderstood the cha
nge and took both drugs! Our purpose is not to report a known effect but to
emphasize the importance of extending the information given to the patient
and the risk of misuse of the generic product.