Have you ever taken a prescription drug for months only to discover that you weren’t getting the full benefit from it because of a different prescription you’re also on? Your pharmacist may be in the best position to help you understand potential drug interactions.
If you ever have any questions about prescription or over-the-counter medications, just ask for a consultation with one of our pharmacists. We will gladly answer questions about dosages, interactions with other medications and any other concerns you may have.
Since the dawn of time, plants have formed the backbone of many remedies and pharmaceutical treatments. This trend continues today, and as many as one out of every four prescription medicines is derived from plants or compounds derived from natural sources.
Do you always skip getting a flu shot because it’s too difficult to take time off work to get an appointment at your doctor’s office? Since the pharmacy usually has more convenient hours, you may find that getting your shot from us can allow you to stay in better health.
Always store your prescription drugs in a cool dry place, as this will ensure the integrity of the medication over time. Keep your medications in their original bottle whenever possible, both to identify the pills and the proper dosing instructions.
Unfortunately, your doctor’s office can get so busy during cold and flu season that you may have trouble getting an appointment. If you need help treating your symptoms until you can get in with the doctor, we may be able to offer suggestions.
Did you know that some anti-anxiety medications can also help you sleep? Some benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Valium, or Klonopin, are useful for treating both anxiety and insomnia since the two can go hand in hand in some cases.
Sometimes all of the directions and warnings and information included with medication can be almost too much to digest. A pharmacist can make you understand when and how to take the medicine.
When you visit a pharmacy, your pharmacist may ask you whether you prefer a generic or brand name drug. Generic drugs are copies of brand name medications that have the same ingredients, intended use, and side effects.
In addition to preparing and dispensing medicines based on the precise requirements of doctors, pharmacists are highly trained and can advise patients on issues related to prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
One of the largest and most widely known announcements regarding drugstores was just recently in 2014. CVS Caremark became the first US drugstore chain to take cigarettes off the shelves of their 7,600 stores.
According to a 2010 Gallup poll, pharmacists trail only nurses as the most trusted professionals in the country. Both pharmacists and doctors won 70 percent ratings for trustworthiness. Third place, at 67 percent, went to teachers.
The pharmaceutical trade in ancient Egypt was actually composed of two echelons: the gatherers and preparers of drugs and the “chiefs of fabrication” or head pharmacists. They are thought to have work in the “House of Life.”
So what exactly does “compounding” mean in pharmaceutical terms? This is the practice of combining different agents and was originally considered an art form practiced by both priests and physicians.
What is the Sushruta Samhita? One of the earliest medicinal records from between the 3rd and 4th centuries ACE. The text, written in India, includes the Ayruvedic medicinal substances – including herbs and plants – known at the time.
If you have difficulties remembering to take your pills, use these tips: purchase a pill timer or a pill box that will hold the pills you need to take each day - or mark on a calendar when you have taken your pills to keep track. If you have a smart phone, check your app store. There are free prescription reminder apps!
John Morgan, physician-in-chief for the Revolutionary army and former hospital pharmacist, was one of the first American medical professionals to promote the separation of medicine and pharmacy and to advocate the need for written prescriptions to improve medical care.
There are many myths regarding generic drugs, particularly regarding their performance compared to brand name drugs. A study of 38 clinical trials comparing cardiovascular generic drugs showed no difference in quality.
The time frame to develop and market a new drug is typically 15 years. This is due largely in part to cost. Pharmaceutical company representatives state that it costs, on average, $1.3 billion to bring a new drug to market!
Did you know that over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements and even vitamins can react with prescription medications? If you are taking prescription medications, ask your pharmacist about any possible interactions with other types of meds and supplements you may be taking.
In the late 19th century, fever-reducing antipyretics were the hot new drug for advanced medical treatment. Aspirin, cosaprin, eupyrine, malarin, phesin, and pyrantin were just a few of the many compounds devised to treat fevers and provide pain relief.
Did you know that you should never keep your prescription medication in a bathroom medicine cabinet? This actually makes your pills vulnerable to the ever-changing levels of light and humidity, which can make affect their potency or make them spoil more quickly.
At the start of the 19th century, becoming a pharmacist didn’t require a college education, but instead was considered an apprenticeship program. It wasn’t until 1808 that it became mandatory for pharmacists to attend college and pass a licensing exam.
What was the first trademarked prescription drug? Terra Sigillata or Sealed Earth. The clay of Sealed Earth, dug from a pit on the Mediterranean island of Lemnos more than 2,000 years ago and formed into stamped pastilles, was believed to have medicinal properties.