Hey all! As I have mentioned before, I really like the Question of the Day page. So I thought I’d post the new ones on this page for easy access!
Our topics come from questions we get from our friends, family, patients and users of this site (through email and comments) and our own interest. We often post our “quick” answers on the Question of the Day page and then link it to our more detailed posts. Please feel free to ask us/tell us –anything….ANYTHING!
Here are a few of the Q&A’s…
“I take Zocor. Should I take CoQ10?” A 52 year old man at the pharmacy on Friday.
Zocor (simvastatin) is a “statin” medication used to treat high cholesterol. Statin medications blocks the body from making cholesterol -they also block the body from making CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10). CoQ10 is used in our body at the cellular level. The pill form of CoQ10 is used in Europe to treat many issues -from high blood pressure , diabetes to periodontal disease. Signs of low CoQ10 levels? -high blood pressure, angina and even periodontal disease. Ask us, your local pharmacist of physician first because it does interact with some drugs and disease states.
“What is ring-worm? Please, please, please don’t tell me it is actually a worm.” A 17 year old girl said after I told her the rash on her arm was most likely ringworm.
Ringworm is not a worm. It is a fungal infection on the body that normally shows up in the shape of a ring. Back in the olden, olden days (way before T.V.) it was wrongly thought to be caused by a worm. It is actually a fungal infection. You treat it with the same kinds of medicine you use to treat jock itch, athlete’s foot and yeast infections.
“Yuck-This tastes gross!!” -a 7 year old boy with a batman outfit/costume (for July 4th –of course!) said when his mama gave him his amoxicillin at the pharmacy.
Well, let me give you a little hint- almost all pharmacies have Flavor-Rx. We have this amazing recipe book and tons of flavours and we can flavor most liquid medications (OTC ones too!). So ask your pharmacist about flavoring your kids medications -it will go down much easier! (Just so you know, some pharmacies do have an extra charge). (Helpful Hint: If your kid/baby is taking Zantac (ranitidine) -it can only be flavoured grape but it makes it much better!)
Why does my Lipitor prescription label say to take it at bedtime?
Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a statin medication that lowers “bad” cholesterol. We get our cholesterol from two main sources -food that we eat and our bodies produce it. The cholesterol that our bodies make is mostly made while we sleep…so it is best to take most statin medication soon before you go to bed. However, because Lipitor and Crestor work slightly differently, you can take those any time during the day.
I had a very tired mom come into the pharmacy and ask, “Benadryl puts me to sleep. I gave it to my 6 year old daughter last night for her runny nose. She would NOT go to sleep, is that normal?”
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) causes most older kids and adults to become wicked sleepy. However, with younger kids, it is a toss up -The medicine will often have a reverse effect and cause the little tyke to become hyper!
Anything you want to know? or do you have something to add? Please email me at nova@getpharmacyadvice.com, leave a comment or…..sign up on the list so you can be the first to know.…