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!
Early pharmaceuticals weren’t standardized, which means that seldom did two preparations of the same drug have the same strength. This modernization of the pharmaceutical approach was pioneered by Parke-Davis and Dr. Albert Brown Lyons in the 1880s.
The pharmacy window has a decal with the letters NCPA on it. What does that mean? NCPA stands for the National Community Pharmacists Association, the professional society formed by and for the pharmacists, managers and employees of independent community pharmacies.
One common misunderstanding about prescription drug labeling is that it is designed to give patients information they need about their medications. But the truth is that, while patients may glean info from these informative inserts, drug labeling is actually designed for healthcare professionals.
Did you know that one of the first known heart medicines was the dried leaves of the foxglove plant? The foxglove’s unique properties were first discovered in the late 1700s by physician John Ferriar, and today, foxglove, also known as "digitalis," is still a commonly prescribed heart medication.
Did you know that itches are usually caused by histamine released in the epidermis (skin)? Scratching stops it, but that’s because you are interfering with the nerve impulses or actually temporarily damaging nerves.
Did you know that the ingredients in pharmaceutical medicines can actually begin to break down past the expiration dates? These ingredients can even begin to form new compounds. This is just one reason why it is so important to dispose of medications once they reach their expiration date.
A drug that battles high cholesterol, Simvastatin, was No. 2 on the forbes.com list of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States in 2009. Zocor was the brand name of this popular drug.
When buying over the counter medications, the single most important thing you need to do is to read the label. If you also take prescription medication, there could be counterindications, so it’s recommended that you consult your pharmacist as well.
While you may realize that your doctor won’t be able to prescribe anything for the common cold, it’s natural to want relief for the worst of your symptoms. Let’s talk about what you’re hoping to treat so that we can help you find what you need to get better.
Who is Dr. John Stith Pemberton? He was a pharmacist in Atlanta during 1886. Dr. John Stith Pemberton probably would not have been noted too much in the history books were it not for a tasty syrup recipe he invented, which was later used to create Coca-Cola.
Most drugstore pharmacies offer more than just the ability to pick up prescriptions. These locations also offer flu shots, over-the-counter medication advice, health solutions, and many other diagnostic features.
Did you know that many drugs that you could once only buy with a prescription are now available without a prescription? In many cases the dose was cut, or the FDA determined that the drug was safe enough to be administered without consulting a doctor..
There are conflicting stories on where the first pharmacy in America was. Some say it was in New Orleans in 1823, and others state it was located in Fredericksburg Virginia and dates to the time of the Revolutionary War. Mrs. George Washington was a patient of the latter pharmacy.
Acetaminophen was first introduced by the Tylenol company in 1955. It quickly experienced widespread use and soon became the United States’ main over-the-counter pain reliever. This was in part because acetaminophen was safer to give to children than aspirin was.
It’s hard to imagine a time when such simple tools, as a medicine dropper did not exist, but we have French pharmacist Stanislas Limousin to thank for its invention. He also created the system we use to color poisons as a warning.
Did you know that from 17th century England to the early 20th century in the United States, pharmacies were identified by “show globes”? This is a glass vessel of various shapes and sized containing a colorful liquid.
When taking prescription medications, it’s important to keep your pharmacist informed of any other medications and dietary supplements you may be taking (including vitamins and herbals). This will ensure that you don’t use anything that will interact with something else you are taking.
Not every pharmacy accepts every prescription benefit plan. Pharmacies must review each contract and decide which insurance plans they will accept. If your insurance plan is not accepted, ask the pharmacist if they can review and consider it.
Did you know that some types of foods can interfere with the effects of medications – including milk and citrus fruits? Before taking any new medication, be sure to check for foods which may affect how the medication is absorbed or functions in the body.
According to the Federal Drug Administration, 7 out of every 10 prescriptions filled in the country every day are for generic drugs.
What’s a sublingual troche? Great question. A troche is a small lozenge designed to be placed under your tongue or between your cheeks and gum where it dissolves, releasing a prescribed amount of medicine into your system.
Early shampoos cause undesirable alkaline reactions that dulled the hair. The American Dr. John Breck in his native New England didn’t introduce the first pH-balanced shampoo until 1930.
When buying your cosmetics at the drugstore, don’t forget to add makeup wipes to your basket. Wipes are the best way to get pore-clogging makeup off your face and minimize break outs while giving your face a fresh, clean feel.