Category: Medicine

These posts provide information about different types of medicine. However, we highly suggest you contact your doctor before deciding to take medicine.

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Medicine

Use These 5 Simple Tips to Prevent Medication Errors

Medication errors may lead to inappropriate medication use or cause a patient harm. Unfortunately, this is more common than one may think, but it is preventable.

According to CNBC, medical errors are the third most common cause of death in America today. A significant portion are medication errors, where the patient is given the incorrect medication or the incorrect dose of a drug. When this happens, it is referred to as an adverse drug event (ADE).

An ADE can be mild, such as when a patient experiences nausea, or can be extremely serious.

 

Preventing Medication Errors

In either case, medication errors leading to the ADE presents an increased risk to the patient, which is never desirable.

That’s why organizations like pharmacies, hospitals, the FDA, and the World Health Organization (WHO) constantly work to find new ways to eliminate medication errors from happening.

As a patient, you have a role to play in preventing medication errors, too.

Here’s how you can take control over your own treatment.

 

1. Understand the Prescription Process

Knowing how prescriptions are written, checked, and processed can greatly help you understand when to ask questions or spot a potential mistake.

While every state is a little bit different, in most cases, multiple people review a prescription before it ever reaches the patient. This is usually effective in preventing mistakes, but for whatever reason, failures can and do rarely occur.

Awareness is key!

– Step 1:

First, let’s talk about what happens when you are prescribed medication, from the moment you’re sitting in the doctor’s office to the pharmacy.

Your doctor interviews you, finds out what’s wrong, makes a diagnosis, and writes out a prescription or enters it into a computer.

– Step 2:

Next, you bring the prescription to the pharmacy, where an assistant or technician enters it into their system. The system then cross-examines the details to verify or exclude whether contraindications or issues of compatibility occur.

This is especially critical if you take other medications or have more than one condition.

A technician or pharmacist creates the prescription, measuring, weighing, or counting out the right dose at least once (often twice). This extra safety measure prevents accidental miscounts.

– Step 3:

Finally, the pharmacist reviews the prescription, dose, and medication with you, the patient, to ensure it is the best fit for your needs. If at any point a problem is identified, the pharmacist serves as a “safety check” to ensure it is corrected.

In the next few sections, you’ll learn a few of the best ways to take action and prevent a mistake from the doctor’s office to the moment you exit the pharmacy.

 

2. Always Ask Your Doctor for Clarification

Being proactive about medication errors starts in the doctor’s office. If your doctor prescribes or suggests a medicine, don’t be afraid to ask questions to better understand what it is and why he or she chose that specific drug.

Try asking:

  • Is this a brand or generic?
  • What’s the name of the medication?
  • How will this drug help me?
  • How long does it take to work?
  • What dose of medication should I take?
  • Should I take this long-term or short-term?
  • What do I do if I forget to take my medicine?
  • What do I do if I accidentally take too much?
  • Is this drug okay to take with the other medicines I’m taking?
  • Is this drug contraindicated with any foods or drinks (such as alcohol)?
  • What side effects are associated with this drug? How can I reduce them?

Knowledge is power. Knowing what you’re taking, and why, can help you identify when a prescription choice isn’t right (such as if you’re allergic to a drug).

 

 

3. Update Your Health Information Regularly

Doctors and pharmacists cannot keep you safe if you don’t provide them with updated information regularly.

If anything changes in your health picture, such as a new medication prescribed by a different doctor or a recent allergic reaction, let them know so they can update your chart.

The same is true for:

Feeling shameful about telling your doctor or pharmacist you drink or use drugs like marijuana? Don’t be.

Your care team doesn’t want to judge you, nor are they there to report you to the law. They only want to help you stay safe, as some drugs may interact badly with alcohol and drugs.

This tip is especially important if you use a pharmacy who may not have a medication system that links to other previously used pharmacies.

Without seeing your full medication list, they can’t accurately check for potential issues and clashes.

 

4. Ask for Patient Counseling

In a situation where a pharmacy is overlooked, patient counseling (when the pharmacist talks to you about your prescription) may inadvertently be overlooked.

But patient counseling is one of the most common times for medication errors to be discovered.

Whether the issue stemmed from a doctor’s illegible writing or an extra “0” typed on the end of a dose, that five-minute review can really help protect you.

It is important to note that patient counseling can be useful for a long list of other reasons, too, so it really benefits you in a multitude of ways.

Pharmacists can also help teach you:

  • How to use your medication
  • How to combat mild side effects (such as diarrhea or nausea)
  • When to call the pharmacy or your doctor if you experience sudden, severe side effects

 

 

5. Check the Bag Before You Leave

A significant number of medication errors are discovered only when the patient finally arrives at home. This is often the case when the medication is correct, yet the dose is wrong.

In extremely rare cases, a mixup behind the counter could lead to a patient receiving a prescription meant for someone else, but most pharmacies have protocols in place to prevent this from ever happening.

It’s in your best interest to check the drug or treatment you receive before you leave the pharmacy. This means opening up the bag, looking inside, and verifying important features like:

  • The dose format (pill, cream, inhaler, etc.)
  • The name of the drug
  • The dose of the drug
  • The instructions
  • The appearance

If at any point, anything seems off, ask the pharmacist to quickly review it again or share your concerns.

While pills may differ in color, shape, or size between various brands, any difference from what you’re used to is a good excuse to review.

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Medicine

What Are Superbugs and Why Are They Drug Resistant?

As medicine and technology continuously improve, the chances of fighting off diseases is becoming more and more common – except with superbugs. But what are superbugs, and why are they resistant to antibiotics?

Scientists, researchers, and doctors are growing more and more concerned about the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating infections.

Long-term overuse of bacteria-fighting medications has led to superbugs – organisms that can resist medical treatment.

This problem isn’t going away; unfortunately, it continues to worsen over time, gradually reaching crisis levels.

So what are superbugs?

 

What are Superbugs?

Superbugs are bacteria that no longer respond to treatment with readily-available antibiotics.

While we do have a vast array of antibiotic choices available in the modern world, no two drugs are exactly the same.

Some are broad spectrum (treating most bacteria), while others are very specific in nature.

Just as we can build up immunities to things we are exposed to regularly, bacteria can become immune to the illness-fighting effects of antibiotic therapies. When that happens, the bacterium becomes a “superbug.”

The Concern

Now that we know the answer to “what are superbugs?”, we’ll discuss why they pose such a large concern to society.

Due to the overuse of medications, doctors fear that the healthcare system will eventually lose the ability to effectively treat even common infections, leading to a significant rise in illness and potentially, even infection-related fatalities.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything you can do to stay safe, either.

In fact, simple lifestyle changes and shifts in how we approach antibiotic treatment can significantly lower your risk from becoming sick.

It all starts with education – and that’s what we’re covering right here, in this post.

 

Why are Antibiotics Inefficient Against Superbugs?

Antibiotics are becoming inefficient against superbug bacteria because, as a global society, we lean on them far too often when we shouldn’t.

Overuse of antibiotics means that bacteria are regularly exposed to the drug in question; so they become better able to mutate and develop new methods of self-protection.

This is a simple matter of evolution.

Medical News Today recently presented studies taking a closer look at why superbugs seem to be growing at such a rapid pace. What the study found painted a very stark picture of where the healthcare system might be within, say, 50 years.

Findings of the Study

The scientists involved in the study started by taking a closer look at how antibiotics and bacteria interact with each other.

They paired polymyxin B, an antibiotic, with several different bacteria to better understand exactly what the antibiotics need to do to break through diseased cell membranes.

More specifically, they investigated how the bacteria stopped the drug (which was once the only drug capable of beating antibiotic-resistant infections) from penetrating the cells.

In the past, positively-charged drugs were able to pass through negatively-charged bacteria.

They were able to do this by literally “punching holes” in the cell membrane. Antibiotics weaken the cell, allowing them to “stick” more efficiently.

The problem is that bacterial cells have adapted and are now much thicker, making it much more difficult for drug particles to get through.

Scientists are now tasked with creating drugs with a far stronger positive charge with the ability to push through the newer, stronger bacterial walls.

 

 

What are the Most Common Superbugs?

Now that we’ve answered what are superbugs, it’s time to look at some of the most commonly seen infections.

While “superbug” is an unofficial term, it comes with a serious connotation. These are germs with a remarkable ability to survive despite antibiotic influence.

Superbugs are particularly threatening because they are so difficult to treat, but they’re also extremely contagious in many cases. They are also extra dangerous to those who have compromised immune systems.

Superbugs pose the most risk to healthcare facilities, like hospitals. Because they are often so contagious, it takes very little for them to spread.

For example, a nurse who is a carrier of a specific superbug (such as MRSA) could inadvertently start an epidemic if he or she transmits the germ patient-to-patient on a particularly sensitive floor (such as the ICU or an oncology ward).

What we  do know is that some superbugs seem to be more common than others, especially in hospital settings. These are the most common:

1. MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a very specific strain of “staph” that usually presents as some sort of skin infection.

A simple cut or wound may become an entry point for bacteria, but other infections begin as closed bumps or wounds that look like pimples or spider bites.

Some people wait longer than they should to seek treatment because their wounds mimic other conditions.

2. VRE

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) occurs when the Enterococcus bacteria that lives in the intestines becomes infected.

The most common antibiotic used to treat enterococcus infections is vancomycin, but many patients contract highly-resistant strains that simply don’t respond to treatment.

This is more of an issue when the infection spreads to the bloodstream.

Individuals with diabetes, semi-permanent intravenous lines and ports and catheters are more likely to develop this type of complication.

3. E.coli H30-Rx

A lot of us have heard of E.coli infections, which are commonly treated with fluoroquinolone drugs.

The H30-Rx strain is particularly resistant to treatment, and in many cases can take a combination of four or five different drugs to eradicate.

Most people who contract E.coli are well again within 7 to 10 days, but the major outbreak in 2018, thanks to contaminated romaine lettuce, reminded us how dangerous this disorder can be.

E. coli can cause not only gastrointestinal disorders, but can also contribute to the development of:

  • Urinary tract infections
  • Pneumonia
  • Life-threatening infection
  • Hypotension, and more

 

Do You Really Need That Antibiotic?

Of major concern is a public perception that they need antibiotic therapy when they don’t really.

There is a general lack of understanding of the difference between viral and bacterial illnesses, leading patients to believe they need antibiotics merely because they have been sick for a long time or have uncomfortable symptoms.

They are less willing to allow their viral infections to run their course and generally press their doctors, or sometimes even embellish the truth when describing their symptoms, in order to get prescriptions they don’t really need.

It’s important for us to trust our medical providers when they make decisions regarding a need for antibiotic therapy.

While it is true that some viral infections can become complicated, leading to the development of bacterial infections, taking an antibiotic when it is not needed will not cure your virus.

It’s also very likely to give you side effects you didn’t anticipate, including:

When Are Antibiotics NOT Needed?

Unless you develop a secondary infection, you typically do not need antibiotics for the following:

  • Colds
  • Flus
  • Viral bronchitis without complicating risk factors (like COPD)
  • Sinus infections
  • Many cases of pneumonia

When complicating risk factors are present, your doctor may prescribe them because he or she judges the risk to be greater than the risk of generating a superbug.

 

 

How to Protect Yourself from Superbugs

Protecting yourself against superbugs means becoming more conscious of your need for antibiotic therapy.

This includes knowing when to avoid the drugs, but there are also simple lifestyle changes you can make to reduce the risk:

  • Handle food properly to prevent food poisoning
  • Keep your home and work spaces sanitary
  • Only using antibiotics when needed and/or when prescribed
  • Take all prescribed antibiotics until finished (unless otherwise directed)
  • Practice infection prevention – wear gloves or masks at clinics and hospitals
  • Wash your hands frequently and/or carry hand sanitizer in high-risk settings

 

Conclusion

Antibiotics are critical to our survival, but bacteria are evolving at a faster rate than we can develop new, stronger drugs.

Now that we’ve answered the question “what are superbugs?”, you can take better precautions.

Becoming more conscious of the way we use antibiotics is the only way we can slow the growth of superbugs.

This will allow scientists and researchers the opportunity to further research and create newer, stronger drugs before a crisis.

When it comes to reducing the risk, we can all help.

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Medicine

The Benefits and Side Effects of Thyroid Medication

Thyroid conditions are fairly common, and with the proper medication, can be treated; but what are the benefits and the side effects of thyroid medication?

Around 12 percent of all Americans will develop some kind of thyroid condition throughout their lives. Ranging from simple hypothyroidism to more complex illnesses, like Hashimoto’s Disease, these conditions can cause disabling symptoms like extreme fatigue, heart palpitations, and intense anxiety.

Left untreated, this can eventually turn into total thyroid failure or a condition known as “thyroid storm,” which can result in death.

The good news is that we have good options for treating thyroid conditions in the modern world. Unfortunately, finding the right treatment isn’t always straightforward.

First, doctors need to identify which type of disorder is at play; then, blood testing can help them to choose which drugs are the most likely to re-balance the thyroid.

In this post, we’ll tell you how you can recognize if you may be suffering from a thyroid condition, including the signs and symptoms.

We’ll also talk about the benefits and side effects of thyroid medication and the differences between compounding and commercial branded medications.

 

Do I Have A Thyroid Condition?

Detecting a thyroid condition isn’t always easy.

Depending on the patient, symptoms may be confused for other illnesses. These symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Exhaustion
  • Sweating
  • Weight gain
  • Racing heart
  • Heart palpitations

However, all are textbook examples of the symptoms many thyroid patients experience every single day.

There are two “main categories” for thyroid-related illnesses:

  • Hypothyroid (meaning the thyroid produces too few hormones)
  • Hyperthyroid (meaning the thyroid produces too many hormones).

Both can be equally dangerous in the right circumstances; however, hyperthyroid is much more impactful on the heart. This is why many patients experience cardiac symptoms like palpitations.

Let’s take a look at hypothyroid and hyperthyroid symptoms specifically.

 

 

Symptoms of Hypothyroid

Hypothyroid describes a condition where the thyroid does not produce enough hormones.

This can be due to genetics or autoimmune disease. Rarely, it is a side effect of certain medications.

The most common symptoms include:

  • Deep, constant exhaustion
  • Feeling cold all the time
  • Constipation
  • Dry, flaky skin
  • Gaining weight
  • Edema (swelling)
  • Voice cracking or hoarseness
  • Feeling weak (e.g., lost grip strength)
  • Extremely high cholesterol levels
  • Chronic muscle pain, including allodynia (tender to touch)
  • Stiffness in the joints (knees, spine, or wrists)
  • Heavy menstrual periods
  • Feeling depressed
  • Brachycardia (slow heart rate)
  • Chronic “brain fog” or memory loss

 

Symptoms of Hyperthyroid

Patients with hyperthyroid syndrome have a thyroid gland that overproduces hormones instead.

This causes the body’s natural metabolism and most symptoms to effectively “speed up.” It, too, can be genetic or a result of autoimmune diseases.

The most common symptoms include:

  • Anxiety and/or panic attacks
  • Feeling nervous all the time
  • High resting heart rate
  • Heart palpitations (PVCs)
  • Feeling hot or sweaty all of the time
  • Trembling and/or shaking
  • Losing weight rapidly, especially if constantly hungry
  • Diarrhea and/or bowel cramping
  • Pretibial myxedema (a thick, scaly redness on the legs)
  • Odd nail bed presentation (ridges, holes, or spots)
  • Fragile or extremely dry skin (especially on the hands)
  • Dysmenorrhea (lack of menstrual periods)
  • Insomnia (often severe)

 

 

Treating Thyroid Conditions

As previously mentioned, it isn’t always easy to treat thyroid conditions.

Because even a slight variation in dose can make all the difference, and because every patient’s physiology is unique, treatment is often a process of measuring the blood and trying medications until you find the right one.

Most patients have two options for treating thyroid conditions. These include:

1. Commercial medications (branded products available in a specific dose) or;

2. Compounded medications (base ingredients mixed by your pharmacist to your custom needs).

Some of the most common options include:

  • Synthroid®, a commercially-available synthetic replacement drug
  • Armor Thyroid®, a porcine-sourced “natural” thyroid drug
  • Propylthiouracil (PTU), a commercial synthetic hyperthyroid drug
  • Tapazole, a commercial synthetic hyperthyroid drug
  • Compounded combinations including bioidentical versions

Next, we’ll tell you about the benefits of taking thyroid medications, the risks and side effects of thyroid medication, and what you need to know about compounded drugs.

 

The Benefits of Taking Thyroid Medication

Both commercial medications and compounded medications can be remarkably effective.

Once patients find the right option, maintenance becomes as easy as occasionally monitoring the blood and adjusting dose as your condition changes.

Taking medication for a thyroid condition can produce remarkable results.

Because the nature of most thyroid disorders is that the thyroid produces the wrong amount of hormone, medications that replace or remove the hormone unbalanced do have the potential to almost totally remove symptoms.

The key lies in finding the right one.

Treating thyroid conditions is beneficial for numerous reasons.

It can stabilize your blood pressure, protect your heart and cardiovascular system, and make you feel “well” again.

For patients who struggle with mental health issues (like anxiety) as a result of thyroid problems, these symptoms often reverse quickly, too.

 

Side Effects of Thyroid Medication

The thyroid is one of the most important glands in the body. The hormones it produces (T3 and T4) influence nearly every other part of your body.

Therefore, if they become even slightly unbalanced, you will become sick.

Most side effects of thyroid medication are a result of the medication tipping the balance too far in the opposite direction.

Dosing Too High

For example, if a patient with hyperthyroid starts a new medication based on old blood work, it may be too strong for their current needs.

The side effects of thyroid medication, if not properly balanced, is that the thyroid will begin overworking instead of under-producing.

Hypothyroid patients develop symptoms of hyperthyroid, while hyperthyroid patients develop symptoms of hypothyroid instead.

Dosing to Low

Similarly, dosing too low can also fail to produce symptoms.

Sometimes, this is a true issue of the dose being too low. In other cases, it is a result of the patient failing to absorb the medication fully, and thus, only effectively receiving a partial dose.

This is much, much more common with synthetics rather than bioidenticals.

 

 

Bioidentical Thyroid Hormones

Bioidentical hormones for the thyroid are generally compounded medications that contain hormones molecularly identical to the hormones your own thyroid produces.

These medications are often naturally-sourced (from pork products or certain plants) rather than being synthetic or chemically-created.

These drugs are typically used to treat resistant hypothyroid disease in patients who, for whatever reason, simply don’t seem to respond to standard synthetic drugs.

Researchers believe the body may have an easier time recognizing them, which may create less side effects of thyroid medication than synthetic medications.

Bioidenticals are not necessarily “better” than synthetic drugs; they are just another option. Your doctor and pharmacist can help you decide which is right for you.

 

Compounding Thyroid Medications

Compounding pharmacies work with thyroid patients every single day. But what exactly is compounding – and how can it help you?

Compounding is defined as the process of putting together base ingredients to create a custom version of a medication.

  • For example, if your doctor orders steroid cream for you, your pharmacist may mix powdered or liquid steroid drugs with a base cream and then deliver it to you in a small jar.
  • Or, they may add flavoring to a medication to make it taste better. It even includes re-formulating pills to topical creams!

In the case of thyroid treatment, compounding is extremely helpful.

Because the pharmacist has the ability to work with base ingredients, they aren’t forced to adhere to a commercially-regulated list of doses.

Instead, they can make micro-adjustments to find the right balance of medicine that doesn’t cause further side effects of thyroid medication.

How Does This Help?

Here’s an example: let’s say your doctor prescribes you 50 mg of Synthroid for hypothyroid disease.

You take the medication, but develop symptoms of hyperthyroid, so your doctor drops the dose to 40 mg.

However, this dose isn’t enough to treat your true hypothyroid condition.

A 45-mg pill may not be available on the commercial market, but your pharmacist can create it for you specially through compounding.

 

Conclusion

Have further questions about benefits, types, or side effects of thyroid medication?

Speak with your pharmacist.

Achieving wellness is possible with the right treatment and medication protocols.

Your local pharmacy is your best guide in finding a way to move forward.

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Medicine

What Is Non-Narcotic Pain Medication & How Can It Can Help?

There are many types of medication available for different chronic pain needs, and with the opioid epidemic making headlines, let’s discuss how non-narcotic pain medication can help instead.

The opioid epidemic is sweeping the nation. There is public outcry, especially in the hardest hit areas.

Legislatures are pushing doctors to help their patients find pain management alternatives, limiting opioids for short-term, specific uses.

But what about those living with chronic pain?

Are there non-narcotic pain medication alternatives that can provide the same relief? Let’s find out.

 

How Narcotics Work

Narcotic, or opioid, based pain medications do have a place in medical care.

The sad reality is that doctors and pharmaceutical companies were over-prescribing these highly addictive substances.

Because of this, we began to see misuse, dependencies, addictions, overdoses and fatalities.

Medical conditions that cause severe pain do need to be treated; though in many cases stronger drugs can be limited to shorter periods of time.

The most commonly prescribed narcotics include:

Tramadol was at one point not classified in the same tier of narcotics, but has since been moved to a stronger class of regulation.

Pain medications classified as narcotics work by binding themselves to the opioid receptors located throughout the body.

These receptors are responsible for communicating the sensation of pain to the nerves, but narcotics calm the nerves to reduce pain.

 

 

Why are Narcotics Addictive?

Anything that alters the way the brain sends signals to the rest of the body should give us cause for pause.

In the case of narcotic drugs, the brain becomes used to the calming and sometimes euphoric sensation. The brain starts to crave the “good” feelings.

Some people become physically dependent on a drug, needing it to function normally. This stage isn’t necessarily a chemical addiction, but can lead to one.

No one really understands why some people become addicted and others don’t.

  • Some people have a genetic predisposition, have a family history of drug abuse, or have brain chemistry issues that contribute to their condition.
  • Some people can use a drug with no problems while others may try it once and become immediately addicted.
  • Most people who use opioid-based drugs as prescribed by their doctors, taking the proper dose at the correct time, will not move on to have complications.

 

How Non-Narcotic Pain Medication Works

Concerns about the side-effects of narcotics obviously have millions of Americans seeking alternative treatments.

However, those with acute injuries or chronic pain are constantly worried they will not find the relief they need.

There are now a number of great non-narcotic pain medication options on the market, both over-the-counter and by prescription, that can help.

  • Analgesics like Tylenol work work by blocking the pain signals your body is sending to the brain.
  • Some, like NSAIDS, will alter the way your brain interprets the signals by disrupting the flow of chemicals.

The main difference between these and narcotics is that they do not bind themselves to your opioid receptors, eliminating the risk of addiction.

Some of the most commonly prescribed non-narcotic pain medication include:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • NSAIDS like ibuprofen or naproxen
  • Aspirin.

There are also a number of topical analgesics, including:

  • Camphor
  • Capsaicin
  • Menthol

While many of these drugs are available OTC, there are some prescription options that you may need to consider.

Prescriptions can give you access to more effective doses, combination drugs, and even different delivery methods. Compounded medications for pain management can be designed specifically for your pain management needs, and are an effective option.

 

 

Conclusion

There is a common misconception that all non-narcotic pain medication is completely safe.

While they don’t pose a risk for addiction, failure to follow your physician’s instruction regarding dosage and timing can still cause physical harm.

Regardless of the medicine, your body can only absorb certain amounts of any medication, and overdosing on any drug can make you seriously ill.

However, compounded non-narcotic pain medication options offer another option if you are suffering from acute or chronic pain. If you are, contact Burt’s Pharmacy and Compounding Lab today to see what options you have.

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Medicine

Is There Gluten In Medications? Here’s What to Know

It is not commonly known that many medicines actually contain gluten, and when you’re sick, you don’t want your medication to make you feel even sicker. Here’s what to know about gluten in medications.

While some people view going gluten-free as just another fad diet, we know there are plenty of scientifically-proven and medically-backed reasons for going gluten free.

According to Pharmacy Times, approximately 18 million people in the US struggle with gluten sensitivities.

Those who have true intolerances, allergies, and diseases like celiac may find it hard to minimize their exposure to the substance, especially when it comes to food.

But what about supplements and medications?

You might be surprised to learn that gluten in medications is extremely common as well.

 

Gluten in Medications

One of the first problems with medications is that most consumers don’t realize the drugs they are taking contain gluten to begin with. They spend more time looking at the active ingredients than they do at the inactive ingredients.

The inactive ingredients are often a separate list on vitamins and supplements.

Prescription drugs are even more difficult to review, often requiring online searches or phone calls to the manufacturers to confirm a full ingredient list.

This can be incredibly frustrating to those with allergies, to gluten or otherwise.

Understanding Ingredients in Medication

The ingredients contained within oral drugs are known as excipients. These include:

  • The active drugs
  • The chemicals that allow the body to absorb your medications
  • Binders to hold the drugs together
  • Additives that give your medication color
  • Protectants to keep the drug from disintegrating too soon
  • And other additives

Some of these excipients are natural and others are synthetic, but the FDA claims they are all safe.

 

Safety Concerns for Gluten Intolerances

Safe for the general public is one thing. Safe for those who can’t consume gluten?

That may be an entirely different question.

While the majority of drugs use excipients derived from corn, potato, or tapioca starches, many use wheat starches, alone or in combination with another.

There are two main databases you can attempt to use when looking to figure out what type of starch ingredients are used in a drug. They are Pillbox and DailyMed.

While these are both commendable databases, there is no legislation requiring manufacturers to list their drugs or their ingredients in these or on any other list.

This can be problematic for those who do not have the know-how or ability to call manufacturers about every drug prescription.

Is There Gluten?

The other problem is that a guarantee that a drug does not contain any gluten ingredients doesn’t mean you won’t be exposed to gluten at all.

In many cases, manufacturers do not guarantee that a drug is not cross-contaminated.

When there is gluten in medications, and they have been processed right before a medication without gluten, you may get cross-contamination.

Despite this, there is a low chance of cross-contamination due to the other quality control factors the FDA requires plants to follow.

 

 

Prescription Drugs vs Supplements

It’s important to take special care when looking at a supplement as opposed to a prescription drug.

While vitamin supplements are exposed to some degree of regulation, herbal supplements receive very little.

This means you now have questions regarding quality and effectiveness, but also the truth in reporting the inactive ingredients as well.

This is especially crucial because individuals with celiac disease, or other disorders impacting the gastrointestinal system, tend to have nutrient deficiencies.

It takes planning and careful balancing to find the right combination of GI-friendly foods and supplements to ensure individuals with these disorders don’t become deficient.

Common deficiencies include:

  • Vitamins B12 and B6
  • Iron
  • Folate
  • Magnesium
  • Calcium
  • Niacin
  • Vitamin D

The stricter a person’s gluten-free diet, the easier it is for the intestines to heal.

This makes it easier for them to properly absorb nutrients again in the future, possibly eliminating the need for supplementation.

That said, good supplementation makes it easier for those struggling with nutrition to thrive.

 

Gluten Exposure

The side effects of gluten exposure in those with sensitivities vary depending on the person, the amount they ingested, the source, and the condition they’re struggling to control.

Common symptoms include:

  • Intestinal cramping and pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Sudden and severe fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Increased symptoms of anxiety
  • Muscle and joint aches

The problem with all of these symptoms?

They can definitely be contributed to other conditions and illnesses, including food poisoning, colds, flus, and even panic disorders.

Over time, patients with sensitivities often learn to tell the difference between their “gluten” symptoms and those caused by other issues.

A headache caused by gluten exposure, for example, may tend to feel different than one caused by muscle tension or an illness.

 

 

What Should You Do If Exposed to Gluten?

That said, there are a number of things you can do if you are exposed to gluten in medications.

Just remember that it can take anywhere from days to a couple of weeks for your body to completely recover.

Always call your doctor if your symptoms are severe or if they are not subsiding.

Otherwise, you’ll find you can manage your symptoms by:

  • Staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water and consider an electrolyte beverage, especially if you have had diarrhea or have been vomiting.
  • Using a heating pad. This is especially helpful on your abdominal area to alleviate pain and cramping.
  • Taking antispasmodic medications. Talk to your doctor if you experience a lot of spasms in your abdominal area due to your medical conditions.
  • Taking anti-inflammatory medications or supplements. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory supplement you may opt to take regularly. Talk to your doctor about these and other OTC options.
  • Incorporating digestive enzymes. Adding these into your diet will help your body process foods properly despite the inflammation caused by your exposure.
  • Rest. As much as possible so your body can heal.
  • Practicing self-care.These techniques help to control the symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue that often come with difficult-to-control health disorders.

 

Conclusion

There’s nothing particularly fun about having to follow a gluten-free diet plan, and there’s certainly nothing enjoyable about dealing with the side effects of unwanted exposure of gluten in medications.

Over time, you’ll learn what brands are most compatible with your particular GI disorder, especially when it comes to additives. From there, you can avoid certain brand that put gluten in medications.

Luckily, gluten-free medication is also readily available. A compounding pharmacist can simply create your existing medications, but without the gluten.

Never be afraid to question your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about what drugs are safe to take. They can help you figure out what you need to avoid.

If you are in need of gluten-free medication, contact one of our pharmacists today.

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Medicine

6 Foods to Eat While Taking Antibiotics (and 4 to Avoid)

Antibiotics are a common way to fight infections, but many don’t realize there are certain foods to eat while taking antibiotics.

Antibiotic therapy is the first line of treatment for the majority of bacterial infections. Unfortunately, these drugs aren’t without side effects.

Rarely, they can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms like

  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain

Although these side effects are usually mild, transient, and harmless, they can become severe and signal the need for a change in medication.

Sometimes, patients find they can control these side effects, or even eliminate them completely, with just a few basic diet changes.

In other cases, it’s the food causing the problem and removing it from their diet is enough.

In this post, we’ll tell you about six of the best foods to eat while taking antibiotics – and the four you should always avoid, too.

 

Why Do Antibiotics Cause GI Side Effects?

During times of good health, your body maintains a balance of good and bad bacteria in your intestines. The natural ratio of good bacteria to bad is set at just the right rate for both to coexist without causing you any harm.

When you take antibiotics, the very drugs you take to fight off an infection also target the good bacteria in your G.I. tract, too.

The result?

Your intestines lose the delicate balance maintained between both sides, leading to gastrointestinal upset and other unpleasant symptoms.

 

The Best Foods to Eat While Taking Antibiotics

Good news: certain foods support good bacteria levels in your body. These are the best foods to eat while taking antibiotics. By eating them, you reduce or eliminate the side effects common to antibiotic treatment.

Most of these contain either probiotics or prebiotics.

A few of the most common foods to eat while taking antibiotics include:

  • Prebiotics — Prebiotics are the building blocks for healthy gut bacteria. When you ingest them, they help to make your gut a friendly place for more healthy bacteria to grow. Find them in kefir, yogurt, and even fortified cereals.
  • Probiotics: — Like prebiotics, probiotics feed good bacteria, helping them to grow and flourish. Good sources include supplements, kefir, yogurt, and milk.
  • Yogurt and Fermented Milk — Both yogurt and fermented milk (kefir) increase the presence of Lactobacilli (a critical element of digestion) in the intestines. They also significantly curb overflow of bad bacteria at the same time.
  • Kimchi and Fermented Soy Products — Kimchi and fermented soy products are loaded with probiotics and prebiotics. They’re also rich in another digestion-critical bacteria called Bifidobacteria.
  • Foods High in Vitamin K — Antibiotic treatment can rarely lead to Vitamin K deficiency which may contribute to bacteria imbalances. Get more K by ingesting leafy green vegetables, cauliflower, liver, and eggs.
  • Coconut Oil — This medium-chain triglyceride contains fatty acids, which may help to reduce your risk of developing an antibiotic-related yeast infection. If you’re female, this will be especially helpful to you!

 

 

What Foods to NOT Eat While Taking Antibiotics

There are some foods you should avoid while on antibiotics, either because they interfere with absorption or because the combination can make you feel sick.

In most cases, these foods simply interact poorly and make the antibiotics less effective.

Foods to avoid include:

  • Grapefruit — You should avoid both the fruit and the juice of this sour citrus product. It contains compounds that can keep the body from properly absorbing your antibiotics – as well as other medications, too!
  • Excess Calcium — Some studies show that excess calcium interferes with absorption. For best results, stick to fermented dairy products until you are finished with your antibiotics.
  • Alcohol — Mixing alcohol and antibiotics can lead to a host of unpleasant side effects. The most common of these are
    • Increased nausea
    • Abdominal pain
    • Dizziness
    • Heart rate issues. You should avoid alcohol throughout the duration of treatment and for 48 to 72 hours after treatment ends.
  • Sugars and Yeast — For some patients (especially women) antibiotic usage may lead to candida (yeast) infections. Avoid foods high in sugar and yeast to avoid feeding the candida organism. This is especially important if you find you nearly always end up with a yeast infection after a course of antibiotics.

 

Taking Antibiotics Properly

Along with knowing the best foods to eat while taking antibiotics, they must also be taken as directed.

Improper use can render them ineffective or even cause antibiotic resistance over time. Heed these tips to stay on the right track.

1. Antibiotics begin their work as soon as they enter your bloodstream. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll feel well right away. It may take a day or two before you really begin to feel better. In the meantime, discuss what you can do to control your symptoms with your doctor. Don’t end treatment early unless directed by your physician, even if you think it isn’t working.

2. Always finish your antibiotic treatment as prescribed. A lot of people stop taking their antibiotics when they feel better in order to avoid further side effects. This may lead to the infection not properly clearing, resulting in recurrence and the need for another round of medication.

3. Never double up on antibiotic doses, especially if you miss a dose, unless specifically directed. Taking more won’t make you feel better faster. In the case of a missed dose, simply resume at your next scheduled time and continue taking your medication until you run out.

4. Women should be especially cautious when taking antibiotics. Yeast infection development is the biggest concern, but can be prevented if you stay on top of taking probiotics or eating yogurt.

5. Antibiotics also reduce the effectiveness of birth control. Women taking these drugs should abstain or use a backup method until they finish treatment.

 

 

Conclusion

Doctors and researchers are now working hard to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance each year. We now know that antibiotics should really only be used when absolutely necessary.

Rest assured: your doctor won’t prescribe them unless they really feel you need them. Taking them properly and supporting your body through the process will speed up your recovery and reduce the need for a change in medication or a second course.

Have additional questions? Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

And check out Burt’s Rx’s compounding pharmacy services, which include pediatric compounding, pet compounding, compounded medication for pain management, BHRT, and dental compounding. Otherwise, do your best to keep your diet in check and you should be able to keep the side effects under control!

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Medicine

The 8 Most Common Types of Topical Medications

Topical medications are extremely common for issues such as acne, but they actually help a wide variety of problems. Here are the 8 most common topicals that we see prescribed.

While most of us are familiar with taking oral medications in pill or liquid form, medications are often prescribed in a long list of other formats, too.

For example, IV and intramuscular injections are often given after surgery because they can be given to the patient regardless of whether they are awake. They also produce faster results.

Then, there are topical medications for the skin, including buccal and sublingual for absorption via the mucous membranes. These formulas serve an important role in healthcare, and are the treatment of choice for certain conditions.

 

What Are Topical Medications?

And that’s what we’re here to talk about today – topical medications. These are formulas you use on, rather than in, your body.

Doctors prescribe topicals to treat everything from acne, rosacea, and fungal skin infections to bacterial skin infections, allergies, and even eye infections.

They come in a broad range of formats, including

  • lotions
  • creams
  • gels
  • pastes
  • ointments
  • transdermal patches
  • powders

Today, we’ll explain a few of the most common types of topical medications to help you better understand your options.

 

Option #1: Solutions

Solutions are very thin, almost-liquid formulas with a base made from oil or alcohol.

They are most often used in sprays, drops, or rinses, and can be especially effective for issues with the

  • scalp
  • eyes
  • ears
  • nose

Because they’re so thin, the solution spreads out quickly and diffuses rapidly into the first few layers of the derma.

Some patients find solutions made with alcohol drying to the skin, especially if they don’t properly care for the skin between applications.

Others find themselves irritated by fragrances or preservatives mixed into solutions to make application more pleasant.

You can avoid these side effects by telling your pharmacist if you have issues with certain additives; they can adjust your base solution to compensate.

 

 

 

Option #2: Lotions

The term “lotion” is really an umbrella term covering thicker liquids for use on the surface of the skin.

Most formulations contain oil and water with an emulsifier, like alcohol, to make the active medical ingredients soluble.

It is important to note that medicated lotions are not the same as cosmetic hydrating lotions; they usually have a higher water content or lower oil content, making them more drying.

Lotions are super for patients who need to treat large areas of the skin because they spread so quickly and easily.

  • Thinner formulas work well for the hair and scalp because they are more readily worked through the hair without sticking to it.
  • Pay close attention to the directions on your lotion bottle; you must shake some lotions well to make sure any separated ingredients come back together before use.

 

Option #3: Creams

Creams are topical mixtures that contain water and oil. Ratios are close, but generally, the formula contains slightly more of one or the other.

Oil in water creams spread easily, and aren‘t as greasy, while water in oil creams are slightly greasier with a lower melting point, meaning they absorb more rapidly and can better penetrate the outer layer of the skin.

Creams always contain emulsifiers that add viscosity. They may also, in some cases, contain preservatives.

 

Option #4: Gels

Gels are usually relatively transparent, being made from cellulose ethers mixed into a mixture of water and alcohol.

They turn into a liquid almost the instant they come into contact with your skin, leaving a faint film of medication on the surface after the bulk of the formula evaporates.

Most gels contain alcohol or similar ingredients that evaporate faster than water; this makes them a bit drying, but also improves convenience by leaving no greasy or sticky coating after application.

Rapid drying is also ideal for skin folds, as leaving them moist can lead to fungal infections like candidiasis.

 

Option #5: Ointments

Ointments are made of emollients – substances that excel at protecting and healing dry skin.

These semi-solid mixtures tend to be greasy and sticky, but they are incredibly effective in skin defense because they produce a barrier against environmental influences.

Base ingredients usually include

  • petroleum
  • paraffin
  • mineral oil

The downside of these skin-protecting formulas is that they can also trap sweat. For this reason, they’re not ideal for people with weepy skin conditions or for use during hot weather, especially if you’ll spend time outdoors sweating under the hot sun.

 

Option #6: Powders

Powders are essentially the same drugs found in pills and capsules; they‘re just crushed into a powder form and/or mixed into a carrier, like corn starch.

Medicated talcum powder, for example, is a common treatment for Athlete’s Foot.

Even inhalers used to treat Asthma are considered topical medications. The medication inhaled is actually a fine powder, rather than a liquid mist.

 

Option #7: Pastes

Pastes contain a mixture of various ointments and powders.

Powdered medications or ointments may be transformed into pastes to prevent aspirating dust during application; they‘re also harder to rub off of the skin.

Zinc oxide, a diaper rash cream, is a great example of a paste that is difficult to simply wipe away.

Pasted topicals may also treat oral wounds; they stick to the mucous membranes and create a barrier that isn’t easily washed away by saliva. This is ideal when treating canker sores.

 

 

Option #8: Transdermal Patches

Transdermal patches have an adhesive base; you stick them to certain areas of the body, such as the upper arm, stomach, thigh, or lower back.

Most patches contain time-release mechanisms that allow the skin to absorb small amounts of medication over the course of several hours or days.

Common examples include birth control and certain types of pain medication.

 

Compounding Topical Medications

Topical medications are exceptionally common and very easy to customize.

Combining more than one ingredient may not only be a more effective treatment for your condition but could help you more easily comply with and stick to your treatment schedule.

Sometimes, doctors will prescribe a single topical compounded formula to replace multiple

  • pills
  • lotions
  • creams

This is much more convenient and can actually improve treatment for certain drugs.

One of the other advantages in prescribing topicals is that they bypass the liver; this lessens side effects and pressure on the metabolic process.

As they are not ingested, they also do not enter the stomach, lessening the risk for side effects and gastrointestinal upset.

 

Conclusion

Talk to your doctor about topical medications and whether they may be a more effective alternative for your condition.

They may be a better option, or they may prove valuable when combined with your oral medication protocol.

Either way, your local compounding pharmacist can make sure you receive your medication in a formulation that offers the most effective delivery method and protection for your skin.

And if you need more information about how a compounding pharmacy can help, contact Burt’s Rx today! We offer services such as pediatric compounding, pet compounding, compounded medication for pain management, BHRT, and dental compounding.

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Medicine

11 Simple Remedies for Your Dog’s Skin Problems

Constant itching. Painful red patches. Dry skin. We often forget about our pups skin health, but it is very important. If these conditions sound familiar, try these 11 remedies for your dog’s skin problems.

Despite having soft coats, dogs suffer from dry skin and skin-related issues nearly as commonly as humans suffer from them. In fact, the causes of dry skin are often the same across mankind and dogkind, too – including weather changes, allergies, and even fungal infections.

Understanding healthy skin is essential to caring for your pup.

 

Remedies to Common Dog Skin Problems 

When itchy skin strikes, it can really drive your dog nuts. If left untreated, or if it becomes severe, it may even lead to hair loss, hot spots, open wounds, or skin infections.

Treating your dog’s skin problems quickly is the best way to ease his comfort and reduce the risk of side effects, but it can be difficult to figure out how to approach the average itch.

In this post, we’ll teach you a few of our favorite methods for soothing skin ouchies. And how compounded pet medications can help!

Just remember that if you’re feeling unsure about any aspect of your dog’s health, it’s better to check in with your vet before you use a fix.

 

1. Oatmeal Baths

If you know someone with dry, itchy skin, you may have heard of this fix before: Oatmeal baths are an old-school remedy for itchy skin that works well on all skin types (canine or human).

Grab some baby oatmeal cereal. Or, use regular, plain, unsugared oatmeal instead. Throw the mix into your food processor or blender and blend it down into a fine powder. Add the powder to a warm bath.

It’s imperative that the water is comfortably warm, yet not hot; hot water can aggravate dry skin.

Let your dog sit in the tub for at least 15 minutes to give the proteins and oils in the oatmeal powder time to soothe his skin.

Rinse him off well before letting him dash off to play again.

 

2. Steroids

Vets commonly prescribe steroids (like prednisone or dexamethasone) to help control your dog’s skin problems. These steroids fight inflammation leading to skin pain and itchiness.

This inflammation is often a direct result of undiagnosed allergies in dogs, especially when problems first crop up.

Dogs with acute inflammation due to allergies usually do well with a steroid injection; it lasts for several weeks. This is the easiest and fastest steroid delivery method and may be needed if your pet has chronic autoimmune issues or certain health conditions.

For some skin conditions, topical steroids are better. Your vet may direct you to apply these directly to the area all the time or only when issues crop up. The main caveat of topicals is that dogs have a tendency to want to remove them – with their tongues – causing upset tummies.

Because steroids can induce so many side effects, they should be used only when other options have been exhausted or when symptoms become severe.

Any dog on regular steroid supplementation should have frequent blood work to rule out liver damage.

 

3. Exercise and Play

A distracted dog is a happy dog (as long as you aren’t trying to get them to focus).

Dogs who are out walking, running, playing fetch, and enjoying time with their people are less likely to become bored and worry about their sore spots.

Exercise is critical for your dog’s health anyway, so make sure they’re getting extra attention during skin flare-ups.

Ask a neighbor, friend, or dog-walker to help out if you are having trouble fitting additional activity into your schedule.

Exercise won’t make your dog’s skin problems go away, but your well-exercised pup will sleep better despite the irritation, too.

 

4. Medicated Shampoos

Medicated shampoos work well for some canine skin conditions, but are especially helpful for treating hotspots.

Clipping the hair away from the sore area gives you better access before washing.

Most medicated shampoos have drying agents or antiseptics in the soaps that not only clean but also help to dry the wound up and minimize itching.

Follow all directions carefully and stop use immediately if your dog’s skin condition seems to become worse or shows signs of redness, inflammation, or ulceration.

 

 

 

5. Fat-Free Yogurt

Fat-free yogurt contains probiotics, and good bacteria that help to balance out your pup’s natural gut flora for better digestion and skin disease resistance.

If your dog struggles with fungal skin infections (especially yeast infections) this may help restore their skin.

Fungal skin infections are common in dogs; in fact, some diseases start as bacterial infections of the surface dermal and are later colonized by opportunistic yeasts.

Ear infections can also be fungal, causing your dog to scratch at areas around his face and ears and creating more open wounds.

These, in turn, lead to more bacterial infections, making treatment feel a bit like a vicious cycle you can never quite get a hold on.

It only takes a teaspoon or two of yogurt per day to keep your dog in balance.

The good news here is that most dogs love plain yogurt (no sugary varieties; sugar feeds yeast!).

If your dog just isn’t into yogurt, it’s okay to try probiotic-fortified foods instead. Or, consider asking the vet about probiotic supplements that are safe for dogs.

 

6. Diet Alterations

A lot of pet foods on the market today claim to be healthy. Few are actually balanced enough for proper nutrition.

Vitamin deficiencies lead dogs to develop nutritional dermatitis, a skin condition that closely mimics yeast and bacterial skin infections in dogs, but is really related to nutrition.

Fixing diet problems isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth a shot. Just switching up your dog’s diet may be enough of a change to eliminate symptoms.

Look for high-quality foods that list meat as the first ingredient and try to avoid or limit grains. Ask your vet about adding supplements like Omega fatty acids for additional support.

 

7. Vitamin E Oil

Have you ever popped open a vitamin E capsule so that you could spread the oil on your dry skin?

The same at-home remedy works well for your dog’s skin problems because they, too, require Vitamin E for skin repair.

Not only can it help your dog’s skin problems heal faster, but its moisturizing properties may also soothe dry and irritated skin spots, reducing how often he chews or licks. Your dog isn’t very likely to complain about the extra massage, either.

 

8. Flea and Tick Treatments

Fleas and ticks aren’t the only critters you have to worry about.

Any mite can cause your dog to itch when bitten, and an allergy to a flea or mite bite can transform little itchiness into a complete skin disaster. In the canine care world, this condition is often referred to as flea dermatitis, but really, the true name depends on what’s eating your buddy.

This one is easy to avoid.

Make sure your dog is getting regular flea and tick treatments, and only use recommended products (ask your vet about Frontline and Advantage II).

Never use cheap grocery store spot-ons, flea collars, and dollar store shampoos as many are known to cause more skin irritations. Some may even cause seizures, neurological issues, or death.

 

9. Benadryl

Benadryl is an antihistamine, a drug that may be helpful for dogs with intense itching.

It is especially useful for pups who are having trouble sleeping due to itching. It has the unintended side effect of relaxing via sedation – something that may be desired if your poor pup is driving himself crazy scratching.

Vets will often recommend dosing regular adult or children’s Benadryl for your dog but don’t eye out the dose or assume the same dose is accurate for your dog just because he weighs the same as your child.

Ring up your vet and ask them to give you the correct measurement to ensure you don’t over or underdose.

 

 

10. Antibiotics

Your dog’s skin problems may not necessarily begin as a bacterial infection, but open wounds caused by scratching can quickly become infected.

Your vet may recommend topical antibiotic spray and/or an oral antibiotic to clear up the infection.

While it sometimes depends on the severity of the condition, antibiotics may sometimes be available in the form of injection.

 

11. Compounded Medications

A lot of dogs respond very well to multiple forms of skin care treatment at the same time. So well, in fact, that most vets recommend a multifaceted treatment approach to address all canine skin concerns.

Some treatments work to reduce acute discomfort; others address the cause. In cases like these, it may be helpful to have a pharmacist who creates compounded pet medicine combine some of your medications into forms that are easier for your dog to ingest or for you to apply.

A compounding pharmacy opens up so many fantastic options.

Compounding pharmacists may be able to mix a steroid and antibiotic cream, or even create a completely new and custom-created dietary supplement instead.

Other options include adding flavorings to make your dog’s oral medications more appealing, eliminating some of the stress that comes with administering drugs.

 

Conclusion

Dog skin problems are one of the most common reasons for visits to the vet.

The longer they go untreated, the more likely they are to evolve from simple itchiness into open wounds.

It’s essential to visit the vet first for a proper assessment, allergy testing, blood work, or even a skin scrape to determine the cause.

Once you know the triggers to your dog’s skin problems, you’ll be able to keep your skin-care arsenal stocked with everything you need to nip these problems in the bud year-round.

And if you need more information about how Burt’s Rx can help, call today! We offer services such as pediatric compounding, compounded medication for pain management, BHRT, and dental compounding.

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Medicine

Immunization Awareness Month: Vaccines By Age

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), and that means it’s time for us to do our part to spread awareness and information.

Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools in the world in the fight against preventable diseases, like measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, meningitis, and even Influenza.

Following the recommended vaccination schedule in childhood, teenagerhood, and adulthood is one of the best ways to ensure that you stay well and healthy for life.

 

National Immunization Awareness Month

This National Vaccine Awareness Month, our goal is to spread awareness of vaccines. We want to answer some of the most common questions surrounding them.

One of the most common questions we field in the pharmacy, especially around vaccine safety is how age factors into a patient’s vaccine schedule.

This includes when, how, and how often patients should be inoculated.

Your health status, life stage, and even lifestyle all play a role in the answer to this complicated question.

To help you better understand vaccination and whether this treatment is right for your family – or at what age to vaccinate – continue reading.

This short guide contains helpful information clarifying vaccine myths and misunderstandings, including the role age plays in inoculation, to help you make the right choice.

 

Vaccine Myths

A small number of Americans still turn away from vaccination altogether as a result of misconceptions surrounding safety and pharmacology.

They may think that vaccination is unsafe, that it doesn’t work, or that too many injections in a short period of time can overwhelm the body.

Or, they may feel that very young children aren’t yet able to process vaccines, and thus, injections may make them sick.

These “anti-vax” views mostly come from misapplied scientific theories rather than whole truths. They are sourced from non-professionals, come from non-credible websites, or are shared via old wives’ tales from parent-to-parent.

Anti-vaccination views may also occur as a result of misinterpreted and misapplied scientific data, especially in self-directed online research.

Patients assume that what they are reading is not only true but also reliable. Without having a medical or pharmacological degree, interpreting scientific data can be extremely confusing.

This Immunization Awareness Month, take the time to debunk these vaccination myths.

There is no shame in admitting you don’t understand vaccines or in asking for more information about vaccine safety.

Your pharmacy can address these questions for you and help to break down complex data to explain it in a way that’s easier to understand, including research, studies, and risks. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

 

The Truth About Vaccines

This National Immunization Awareness Month, we want to teach you about vaccines.

The truth is this: nearly all of the research available to us right now shows that vaccines are an overwhelmingly safe, low-risk option for fighting preventable communicable diseases like measles, chicken pox, and smallpox.

Inoculation is a significant reason why many of these older, more devastating diseases have largely disappeared.

But are complications even possible? Unfortunately, yes – but they’re extremely rare and almost never occur.

All medications, including vaccines, carry certain risks, contraindications, and complications.

This is a “risk profile”.  It helps your medical providers decide whether the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks in your individual health scenario.

When complications do occur, they are almost never a result of “vaccine injuries,” a non-specific, rarely clear term.

Instead, they mostly occur as a result of undiscovered allergies or very specific and uncommon diseases, like Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) or Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID).

Your doctor and pharmacy can help you determine whether or not you are truly precluded from vaccination by reviewing your health picture for a more specific answer.

Next, we’ll address vaccine concerns relating to age. This includes when to vaccinate your child and how vaccines work in adulthood.

 

 

Age and Vaccines

Does age play a role in safe inoculation? Absolutely!

In fact, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and national organizations like the Mayo Clinic both have recommendations for when, and how often, children, teens, and adults should receive vaccinations.

This is a “vaccine schedule.”

Initial vaccines for children are recommended even before your child is born, during the prenatal period.

The CDC recommends that pregnant mothers receive at least one Influenza and Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine before birth.

After baby comes into the world, he or she will have a series of three initial shots to protect against Hepatitis B. virus.

These shots are critical for infants because they effectively prevent potentially fatal liver disease.

From then on, your infant will follow a CDC-recommended vaccine schedule.

 

The Vaccine Schedule Through Adulthood

At around two months of age, the CDC, who created the National Immunization Awareness Month, recommends a long-term vaccination schedule to begin.

This schedule covers infanthood to adulthood.

  • Two Months –Hepatitis B (2nd dose), Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib), Polio (IPV), Pneumococcal (PCV), and Rotavirus (RV).
  • 4 Months – Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib), Polio (IPV), Pneumococcal (PCV), Rotavirus (RV), and Hepatitis B (HepB).
  • 6 Months – Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib), Polio (IPV), Pneumococcal (PCV), Rotavirus (RV), and Influenza (flu).
  • 7 to 11 Months – No vaccines. This period may also be to “catch up” on vaccines to cover any a child still needs.
  • 12 to 23 Months – Chickenpox (Varicella), Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib), Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Polio (IPV), Pneumococcal (PCV), Hepatitis A (HepA), Hepatitis B (HepB).
  • 2 to 3 Years – No vaccines. This period may also be to “catch up” vaccines to cover any prior missed doses.
  • 4 to 6 Years – Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP), Polio (IPV), Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Chickenpox (Varicella), and Influenza (flu).
  • 7 to 10 Years – No specific vaccines. This period may also be for “catch up” vaccines to cover any doses. The CDC also encourages parents to consider giving the optional HPV Vaccine by age 9.
  • 11 to 12 Years – HPV vaccine (if not yet given), Meningococcal Conjugate, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP), Influenza.
  • 13 to 18 Years – Meningococcal Conjugate booster, Serogroup B, Meningococcal Vaccine, Influenza. If traveling, additional vaccines may be necessary at this time.

 

 

 

Vaccines in Adulthood

What about vaccines for adults? The CDC has recommendations for vaccines in adulthood, too.

The most common recommended inoculations are Influenza (flu) vaccine every year as well as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP) at regular and specific intervals.

When and how often you need these boosters depends on when you last received your initial vaccines.

Your doctor may also recommend other optional vaccines, especially if your lifestyle or your health scenario raises unique risks.

For example, additional vaccines are often necessary for people who travel internationally often, especially to high-risk countries.

Healthcare workers who are regularly exposed to sick patients also need regular vaccines.

There is no ceiling age for receiving vaccines; in fact, being vaccinated yearly for diseases like chickenpox, pneumoniae, and Influenza is especially important for older adults.

These diseases often have a more serious impact on patients over 50, carrying a higher risk for fatalities and complications.

If you have a legitimate reason to avoid vaccination, such as a contraindicated condition, you should know that vaccines still help to keep you safe.

When the vast majority of a population is vaccinated, diseases spread much more slowly, lessening the chance of exposure for non-vaccinated patients. This “herd immunity” is a critical factor in preventing epidemics and pandemic breakouts.

 

Conclusion

Understanding vaccines and the best vaccine schedule to keep you and your family safe is incredibly important.

This National Immunization Awareness Month, Burt’s Pharmacy is committed to helping you with all your vaccination needs.

Do you still have questions? Do not hesitate to call us for more information!

Categories
Medicine

Finding the Right Pain Management Medication for You

If you are in pain, it’s likely that your pain changes you and your daily life. Whether you experience the occasional headache or migraine you suffer from serious conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), managing your pain effectively is an important part of good self-care. Unfortunately, pain management medication is a complex and difficult topic – what works for every patient isn’t necessarily the same.

Some patients experience pain on a chronic, unrelenting basis. This chronic pain can exacerbate itself, becoming highly debilitating and leading to a significant reduction in quality of life. These patients often find themselves sacrificing a significant amount of their freedom, independence, and lifestyle just to prevent further pain. Eventually, some patients even become housebound.

No matter what your condition, there are effective ways to manage your pain at whatever level you experience it. Suffering alone in silence doesn’t have to be your only option. Pain management medication ranging from OTC narcotics to stronger post-surgical opiates all have a role to play in preserving function and providing relief.

 

First Things First

Before exploring your options for pain management medication, it’s important to visit your doctor. In doing so, you can learn about the source of your pain and gain insight about the best approach for its management. What works for back pain, for example, won’t necessarily be as effective for someone experiencing chronic pancreatitis. Because there are so many different types of treatments available today, this step helps to narrow down the options that are best to manage your particular pain.

 

What is the Official Definition of Pain?

What exactly is “pain?”

The answer to this question is exactly what makes treating pain so complicated: the definition of pain often differs patient to patient. Pain tolerances and individual biochemistry can also predict whether not a patient defines an experience as painful or just uncomfortable. Even physicians often have their own definitions of pain.

While doctors might vary on what criteria they personally use to assess the pain of their patients, the International Association for the Study of Pain developed a consensus statement that offers an excellent baseline starting point. Essentially, the description notes that pain is an emotional and sensory experience that’s unpleasant. This description is important in that it acknowledges pain as not just something that you feel, but something you experience. The IASP also recognizes that pain can affect the patient’s holistic well-being, including both physical and mental health.

 

Why is Your Pain Different Than Others?

There is a general consensus that pain is both a sensory and emotional experience, but that doesn’t mean that everyone experiences pain the same way or to the same degree. Pain measurement is determined by what a particular person brings to the experience.

If you are anxious or depressed, your perception of pain could be much greater than someone who is not suffering from these conditions. Similarly, if you have a fear of pain, this can make any pain you do experience worse than if you weren’t fearful. Feeling negative emotions like fear, anxiety, and sadness can amplify perceptions, making pain more severe.

Because pain has an emotional and mental aspect, doctors often prefer to address both aspects of the patient at once. This is wise; research shows that pain patients experience mental health illnesses at a much higher rate. This is logical – being in chronic pain certainly isn’t a fun experience for anyone!

 

Managing Pain in a Holistic Manner

Pain management medication works best when it is part of a holistic treatment for pain. Treating the source of the pain, adjusting lifestyle or diet, and even utilizing hands-on therapies like massage and chiropractic may all help your pain while addressing the whole person.

While opioids are the frontline choice for treating extreme pain (such as after surgery or end-of-life care), they aren’t necessarily the best choice for treating chronic pain. Most opiates have a relatively short life-span and build tolerance quickly. This makes chronic use problematic as doses must be escalated regularly. However, each patient is unique, and some conditions may call for aggressive pain management medication with opiates despite national recommendations.

Other potential pain management medication includes:

  • Acetaminophen – (Tylenol) This drug works by blocking prostaglandins in the body which heighten pain reception. It is available over the counter, but must be taken carefully to avoid liver damage.
  • Steroids – (Prednisone; Dexamethasone) – these drugs suppress the immune system locally or systemically. This may reduce pain and the inflammation that often accompanies it.
  • Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) – these drugs work by blocking prostaglandins and reducing inflammation. This class of pain relievers includes Aspirin, Naproxen and Ibuprofen. While effective, NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal bleeding if taken in high doses.
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs/SNRIs) – these drugs change brain chemicals to alter mood and/or pain interpretation. They can help alleviate pain as well as help you sleep.
  • Anti-Seizure Drugs (Depakote, Neurontin; Lyrica) – these drugs change chemicals and electrical signals in the brain. While typically used to prevent seizures, research does show that they can reduce the intensity of pain signals – especially nerve pain.

 

Compound Medications and Your Pain

Many people find it difficult to manage their pain, even with medications. Patient drug viability varies dramatically – some patients may become very nauseous from opiates or may be virtually unable to take NSAIDs due to stomach conditions. They might be allergic to a component that is typically found in pain management medication. These experiences can be seriously frustrating and limiting, but there are still options.

A compounding pharmacy can strip down pain management medication to their base ingredients and reformulate a better solution that works. This includes changing dosage format, ingredient lists, or even flavors to make medication easier to take. For example, a compounding pharmacy may take an NSAID medication and make it into a topical salve to avoid damaging the stomach.

Compounding pharmacies create prescriptions right on the spot to the patient’s needs. That means that, should a commercial dose fail to be effective for you, they can micro-adjust the dose to get it just right. You receive all of the benefits of your pain management medication without risking higher-dose-than-necessary side effects. This is especially important for sensitive populations like children and the elderly.

Compounding offers patients access to combination medications that aren’t normally produced for sale by manufacturers because there’s simply not enough of a demand for them to do so. With your doctor’s guidance, the compounding pharmacist can create a customized medication. This medication is designed specifically to treat your pain and make it manageable. Just speak with your pharmacist if you want to know more!

 

Other Pain Management Medication Methods

Pain management medication often works best if it’s used in conjunction with other techniques that you can use on your own. Taking the time to meditate, employing specific relaxation techniques (such as deep breathing or guided visualization) can significantly reduce emotional reaction, which in turn reduces pain. The beauty of these approaches is that you can use them anywhere at any time.

Using cold and heat therapy (or a combination of the two), massage, or physical  manipulation of the area also reduces pain. You can perform basic massage and manipulation right at home just by stretching or rubbing your muscles. Alternatively, you can seek the assistance of a physiotherapist instead.

Biofeedback provides you with the training that allows you to control your heart rate, muscle tension, temperature and other aspects of your body. By strengthening the connection between body and mind, you may find it easier to deal with your pain.

Some patients find transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy effective. In this therapy, light electrical signals travel through the muscles; the signals aren’t high enough to be painful, but trick the muscles into relaxing. TENS treatment can also interrupt nerves to make them feel numbed, rather than transmitting pain.

 

Mental Health Approaches

As mentioned previously, some patients benefit most from addressing the emotional influences of pain. One of the best ways to do this is by attending dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a registered therapist. During sessions your therapist will teach you about your pain. They will also empower you to better understand its role in your life.

If your doctor believes you may be suffering from depression or anxiety, treating those conditions with therapy and/or medication may have a secondary side effect on your pain. By reducing stress and emotional upheaval, you will be better equipped to handle your pain when it comes.

What is probably the most important piece of advice to remember when it comes to pain is to not wait to address it. As soon as you notice your pain is affecting your life in a negative way, seek help. The longer you suffer from pain, the more likely it is to become chronic and require long-term treatment. Rather than letting your pain chip away at your ability to function and enjoy the life you envision, reach out to your pharmacist or physician and take advantage of the resources available.

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