A HEALTH trust is launching an investigation after a woman claims she was given anti-histamines instead of her prescribed anti-depressants.

Jodie Walsh, 23, was prescribed the medication by her GP at the Queensway Surgery, but when she collected the tablets from Chemist@Southend, she said she was given the anti-histamines, used to treat allergic reactions and hay fever.

The prescription label for the anti-depressant medication was stuck on the back of the anti-histamine box and Miss Walsh says she then took the wrong medication for a month.

NHS South East Essex, the health trust for Southend, has now launched an investigation into what caused the alleged mix-up.

Miss Walsh, from Southend, said: “I was prescribed anti-depressants and it was only when I went back to get a repeat prescription the mistake was noticed.

“I got my tablets and asked why it was in a different box. It was then they realised I had been given anti-histamines instead of anti-depressants.

“It wasn’t noticed that I had the wrong drugs for a month. I feel disgusted about it.

“I’ve had headaches since I stopped taking the anti-histamines tablets, but I don’t know if it’s because the anti-depressants or because I’ve just stopped taking the anti-histamines.”

Ruth Osborne, spokeswoman for NHS South East Essex, said: “Obviously we are very concerned about any incident that may pose a risk to patient safety. We do need to investigate it.

“We ask the patient to contact our patient advice and liaison service.”

A spokeswoman for the chemist, who refused to be named, said: “If a patient is unhappy with any of our services we do have a complaints procedure. We would work with the PCT to resolve it.”