The Pharmacist Is In

Send us a textDue to the FDA restrictions as far back as 2000 restricting the pharmaceutical companies and their salesforce in providing , through trips, dinners, lunches and a host of other benefits,  enticing and rewarding prescribers to prescribe  their medications. These companies have directed their sales initiatives towards DTC or Direct to Consumer practices now that they have had to reduce their presence and activities to the prescriber. My concern is the gaslighting of the consumer by the intensity and the number of advertiements seen on all media, specifically television,  and the complexity of the information given to non healthcare professionals. 

More and more people especially those retired, on fixed incomes, and Medicare are having to have to find alternatives to the high cost of prescription medications that they are on for chronic conditions. Foreign pharmacies are now marketing their services to patients in the United States as an alternative to the high costs pharmaceutical companies are charging the domestic market. There are many FDA approved manufacturers in foreign countries with solid reputations but when selecting a foreign pharmacy you should ask these questions prior to giving them your business.

There are three changes in our lives that increases the odds for a longer and healthier life. These life changes are not difficult as they may seem nor will it impact you financially, in fact it may save you some money. They are simple in concept and implementation, and with a little self-discipline are very achievable. We all want to live longer and healthier lives and not by spending money on outlandish and unproven dietary fads, supplements, or injections. 

What are the three heat related illnesses. This episodes explains Heat Cramping, Heat Exhaustion, and Heatstroke with regards to causes, the effects on the body , how to prevent them, and what to do if you or someone around you shows signs and symptoms. This is a easy to understand conversation that will also provide how one can prevent the possibility of heat-related illnesses. 

Medication shortages have drastically increased in the last decade causing an impact on the overall health and wellbeing of Millions of patients. The question is, what should I do when faced with this problem of not being able to obtain my prescription medication?. This podcast provides information to you, the patient, as to strategies and tactics to help you through it. 

Common among the public are hemorroids and so I wanted to discuss what they are , causes and treatments, and  OTC medications available in the pharmacy. 

Patients who come home after  ambulatory surgery have questions about the pain they may experience. This podcast presents some basic advice on storing opioid pain medications and what to be aware of when taking these medications.

Thoughts concerning the medications, Wegovy & Ozempic, and their use in  weight reduction.  

With the drastic increase in use of Marijuana for  medical  purposes the question is its effect on older patients taking prescription medications. The rise in medical marijuana use has seen a drastic increase in ER admissions for overdoses, especially among the older population. What should we be aware of when considering the use of marijuana for medical purposes  when your taking other medications. 

This episode will provide information about Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis  with a brief outline and reference to treatments.  It will explain, in understandable language, what is Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis and how it affects us. 

Description and Value of compounded medications and Compounding Pharmacies. 

This episode will provide information about Age-Related Macular Degeneration(AMD) with a brief outline and reference to treatments.  It will explain, in understandable language, what is AMD and how it affects us, and where medications work. 

This episode will provide information about Psoriasis with a brief outline and reference to treatments.  It will explain, in understandable language, what is Psoriasis and how it effects us, and where medications work. 

This episode will provide information about Eczema  with a brief outline and reference to treatments. It will explain, in understandable language, what is Eczema and how it effects us.  It will talk about the medication currently available and what we can do to help reduce its discomfort. 

This episode will provide information about Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) with a brief outline and reference to treatments.  It will explain, in understandable language, what is PVD and how it effects us, and where medications  and life style changes work. 

After abut a year hiatus "the Pharmacist is In" returns with new information for patients, caregivers , or anyone who wants to learn more about prescription, Non-prescription, home remedies, and alternative medication therapies. This will be a weekly broadcast counseling the public , in easy to understand language, about medications they or others are taking.  It will contain information about the treatment, how the medications work and potential side effects, administration of the medication and various other information useful ,in a practical way, to the patient. 

This episode will provide information about stinging and biting insects (Bees, Hornets, Wasps, Mosquitos, and Ticks) and the causes with a brief outline and reference to treatments.  

This episode will provide information about Sun Screens and Sunburn. It will explain, in understandable language, what are Sun Screens and how they work.  All links to references used in the episode will be made available in the show notes 

This episode will provide information about Heart Failure or Congestive Heart Failure and the causes with a brief outline and reference to treatments explained in previous episodes. It will explain, in understandable language, what is Heart Failure how it effects us, possible causes and preventions, and where medications work.  It will talk about the medication Digoxin, what are it's common side effects and cautions to be aware of. All links to references used in the episode will be made available in the show notes  

This episode will provide information aboutThe New Digital Thermometers  and Home Electronic Blood Pressure Meters.  

This episode will provide information about GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease  and treatment  medications and their effect in treating GERD. It will explain, in understandable language, how and where these medications work, how and when to take them, and what are the common side effects and cautions to be aware of. All links to references used will also be made on the show notes.

This episode will provide information about asthma and treatment  medications and their effect in treating asthma. It will explain, in understandable language, how and where these medications work, how and when to take them, and what are the common side effects and cautions to be aware of. A transcript of this episode will be available for printing and sharing. All links to references used will also be made available. 

This episode will provide information about Anti-Fungal Medications and their effect in treating common nail fungus. It will explain, in understandable language, how and where these medications work, how and when to take them, and what are the common side effects and cautions to be aware of. A transcript of this episode will be available for printing and sharing. All links to references used will also be made available.  

This episode will provide information about Laxatives and their effect in treating constipation It will explain, in understandable language, how and where these medications work, how and when to take them, and what are the common side effects and cautions to be aware of. A transcript of this episode will be available for printing and sharing. All links to references used will also be made available.  

This episode will provide information about Steroids and their effect in treating inflammation both acute and chronic. It will explain, in understandable language, how and where these medications work, how and when to take them, and what are the common side effects and cautions to be aware of. A transcript of this episode will be available for printing and sharing. All links to references used will also be made available.  

This episode will talk about  Prescription   and Non-Prescription, Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications  called  Anti-Inflammatory medications  or NSAIDS . I will talk about what inflammation is, how these medications work , and precautions and side effects of the most common NSAIDS 

This episode will talk about Over-The-Counter (OTC) Cold medications,  and what to consider when selecting these medications such as how they work and their side effects. 

This episode will talk about the differences between Prescription medications and Non-Prescription or Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications. I will also talk about the use and safety of Nasal Decongestants .

This episode will provide information about Beta Blocker, Vasodilators, and Calcium Channel Blockers and their effect in treating High Blood Pressure. It will explain, in understandable language, how and where these medications work, how and when to take them, and what are the common side effects and cautions to be aware of. A transcript of this episode will be available for printing and sharing. All links to references used will also be made available. .

This episode will provide information about Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors(ACE inhibitors) and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers(ARB's) and their effect in treating High Blood Pressure. It will explain, in understandable language, how and where these medications work, how and when to take them, and what are the common side effects and cautions to be aware of. A transcript of this episode will be available for printing and sharing. All links to references used will also be made available. 

This episode will provide information about Water Pills (Diuretics) and their effect in treating High Blood Pressure. It will explain, in understandable language, how and where these medications work, how and when to take them, and what are the common side effects and cautions to be aware of. A transcript of this episode will be available for printing and sharing. All links to references used will also be made available. 

With the discovery of new medications, we're living longer and healthier lives. Every day we learn about medications that help keep us alert and active.  So, it's important that with all the prescription and non-prescription medications available we understand not only what we're taking and why, but how they work and what cautions and common side effects to be aware of. In each episode of this podcast, I'll be talking to you about medications - or groups of medications - and providing professional information and advice in understandable language. I'll discuss what the medications do, why they're prescribed, and information on how to properly take them. I'll also interview knowledgeable healthcare professionals to provide their expert advice on various medication topics. Please join me each week for this 15-minute podcast. And remember, keep healthy, happy, and medication wise.