AllExperts > Experts 
Search      

Pharmacy

Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Questions · Question Library  · Free Encyclopedia ·
More Pharmacy Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Pharmacy
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
About Nigel Simmons
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised. Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner. I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question. Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?

Experience
Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire. <BR><B>Past/Present clients</b><BR>Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.<BR>
   

You are here:  Experts > Health/Fitness > Pharmacology > Pharmacy

Questions Answered By Expert  Nigel Simmons 
In Category  Pharmacy

SubjectDate Asked

Ezetimibe treatment for cholesterol5/9/2008
  Q: Dr., another answer on this site mentioned that this medication is helpful for folks who cannot ...
  A: Jim Ezetimibe (Ezetrol in the UK) is licensed for the following conditions: "++Primary ...
IV Vancomycin5/8/2008
  Q: I have been told Vancomycin burns as it is delivered via IV is this true? If so how badly?
  A: Heather The following is an extract from the UK clinical data sheet for vancomycin gives a clear ...
amoxicillin 250mg/5ml susp5/7/2008
  Q: the pharmacist told me to give my 9yr old daughter 2 teaspoonsful but i made a mistake and gave her ...
  A: Brenda The safety range for penicillins is usually wide, so I would not expect significant problems ...
MRSA5/7/2008
  Q: How can you mrsa if you have it? As a student in lots of sports what can I do to protect myself ...
  A: Dani I suspect you may be worrying yourself unnecessarily as the risks of otherwise healthy ...
Under the eye redness5/2/2008
  Q: I have redness under the eyes. Day to day it varies in intencity. I do have dry skin around the area ...
  A: Ryan This is a challenging question if a dermatologist cannot identify a cause. Having ruled out ...
Bactrim - sinusitis5/2/2008
  Q: I have sinusitis, I know this because I have had it frequently in the past. I also have a good ...
  A: Nicole As a pharmacist I cannot reccomend the use of prescription medicines for anything other than ...
Malarone tablets5/1/2008
  Q: my name is Amy and next Thursday i am going to be going abroad to Borneo. I have bought Malarone ...
  A: Amy Malarone tablets are film coated, largely for presentation or to mask an unpleasant taste, but ...
Birthcontrol4/26/2008
  Q: I recently switched to a low dose birthcontrol pill, but i am nearing the end of the first cycle and ...
  A: Dawn Missing occasional periods is not uncommon both for natural and more commonly emotional ...
Fentanyl4/21/2008
  Q: I'm rather surprised at the answer you gave Jeremy B. on 4/20/08. He stated he had been taking 100 ...
  A: Charlie You are indeed correct that fenntanyl withdrawal can be an issue for some patients, and ...
Fentanyl Withdrawal4/20/2008
  Q: Doctor, I have been taking fentanyl 100mcg ptaches for some years but now a promising surgery may ...
  A: Jeremy Some of the key benefits of Fentanyl are its short duration of action and a low likelihood ...
Maxalt & Lexapro - please help me4/19/2008
  Q: Almost Killed me!! Last week I was experiencing severe migraines. I went to the Doctor, and he ...
  A: Christa From the number of questions I receive, this seems to be an all too common occurrance and ...
FLUCLOXACILLIN4/15/2008
  Q: Is it ok to take my weeks course of Flucloxacillin while taking the following supplements? Multi ...
  A: Nat I'm afraid I don't have access to any speciailist references on potential interactions between ...
theophylline4/14/2008
  Q: why is theophylline clearance increased in smokers?
  A: Mahria I'm afraid I am not an expert on drug metabolism, but the following link goes to an extract ...
found 1 pill4/13/2008
  Q: I found a baby blue pill, it is oval and the dosage is 02.5mg and very curious to what it is,should ...
  A: Mark Although there are not that many blue tablets to my knowledge, this could vary from country to ...
Employee Drug Screening4/12/2008
  Q: An employee rececntly tested positive for benzodiazepine, specifically Oxazepam. He is in a safety ...
  A: Dee None of the drugs you refer to are benzodiazepines and so in theory should not produce a false ...
side affects4/11/2008
  Q: I have been taking 75mg of venlafaxine for the past 5 days, taking one every other day for a week as ...
  A: Carrie Mydriasis, excessive dilation of the pupils is a recognised side effect of venalfaxine. The ...
Birth Control4/11/2008
  Q: How long does it take your body to absorb your birth control after you take it? I'm wondering ...
  A: Summer Given the short time interval, I would certainly not say that the contraceptive protection ...
CUMADIN4/2/2008
  Q: I had a pulmonary embolism Aug 07. Since then, I take Cumadin daily and have bi weekly blood tests ...
  A: Daniel As a user of anticoagulants myself, I can appreciate your dilemma. Although many will say ...
propranolol and increase of blood sugar4/1/2008
  Q: sir, I have read in internet that propranolol -beta blocker can raise blood sugar even than calciam ...
  A: P The general view is that in young children, the elderly or those being treated for diabetes or ...
change of medication3/28/2008
  Q: my doctor has changed my monthly prescription of escitalopram I'm to citalopram I'm. I don't know if ...
  A: Amanda In clinical terms there is no real difference between citalopram and eiscitalopram. The ...
prescription3/28/2008
  Q: I have a prescription for nexium. the label says refillable until 02/17/09. does this mean i can get ...
  A: Tina As I'm in the UK, I cannot be certain of the regulations relating to repeatable prescriptions. ...
interaction of gabapentin and spirulina3/26/2008
  Q: i'm taking gabapentin 100mg 3x a day, is it safe to take spirulina 250mg 8 tablets a day? thanks
  A: Chap I'm afraid there is insufficient evidence on the use and effects of herbal products such as ...
marijuana and lopressor3/25/2008
  Q: I'm a 25 yr old fairly overweight male and I recently went to my family Dr. about some chest pains ...
  A: Chris I don't know if your doctor was aware of your marijuana use, because I suspect this is likely ...
FALSE POSITIVE FORBENZODIAZEPINES3/25/2008
  Q: I WAS GIVING A URINE TEST IDONT DO DRUGS BUT I TESTED POSITIVE FOR BENZODIAZEPINES THE ONLY THING I ...
  A: Misty I suspect anything is possible, though probably unlikely. Without knowing what products are ...
False Positive Drug Screen3/24/2008
  Q: I took 2 tablets of Benadryl sever allergy &sinus headache on the 23rd of March, took drug screen on ...
  A: Rachel In theory the tests should be specific for the drugs they test for but there is some ...
FALSE POSITIVE FORBENZODIAZEPINES3/22/2008
  Q: I WAS GIVING A URINE TEST IDONT DO DRUGS BUT I TESTED POSITIVE FOR BENZODIAZEPINES THE ONLY THING I ...
  A: Misty Based on the number of similar questions I receive, apparent false positive results are ...
Zovirax 400mg3/16/2008
  Q: I'm Melojane from Philippines. My mother had been exposed to varicella for 3 days now. The doctor ...
  A: Melojane This question is pushing my area of knowledge to the limit. I suspect the doctor felt that ...
Is my doctor right?3/15/2008
  Q: I'm from Philippines. I have herpes and varicella right now. The physician-surgeon prescribed me ...
  A: Melojane Although your question is slightly outside my area of expertise, I do tend to agree with ...
drug screening3/14/2008
  Q: I have been on methadone for 2 1/2years. The Dr. at the treatment ctr. where I recieve my methadone ...
  A: Robyn Based on the number of similar questions I receive, apparent false positive results are ...
trileptal and cold medicines3/14/2008
  Q: My 7 year old is taking Trileptal. He has a runny nose and a sore throat. Can he take a cold ...
  A: Stephanie While there are no specific contra-indications between Trileptal and ingredients in ...
Zithromax3/13/2008
  Q: Is it safe to take this if the expiration date is nov 01?
  A: Cindy While all medicines are manufactured with a small safety margin built into the shelf life, it ...
Risk taking sxpired percodan3/12/2008
  Q: In the middle of the night last night I had terrible back pain, for which I usually take Vicodin. ...
  A: Joe While medicines are manufactured with a degree of safety margin built into the expiry date, it ...
liv.52 herbal liver support3/11/2008
  Q: can any of the things it's made off cause a flase positive urine for benzo's? caspers,wild ...
  A: Robert Given the apparent number of claimed false positive tests I am asked about, it is really ...
Microgynon 303/10/2008
  Q: When is it safe for me 2 stop using condoms??? please help ive asked everyone!!!! no one knows!!! x
  A: Chloe Assuming you started taking the tablets at the correct point in your cycle, then the ...
pill3/7/2008
  Q: I found this pill, well it is a half a pill. it is white. on one side there is nothing but on the ...
  A: Brandi Tablet identification on white tablets can often be a challenge, but doing so on a partial ...
benzodiazepine mistake from urine screen3/5/2008
  Q: Simmons, I am currently in a Methadone maintenance program, and have been clean of ALL illegal or ...
  A: Benjamin Based on the number of similar questions I receive, apparent false positive results are ...
Pharmacist Prescribing3/5/2008
  Q: Nigel, I noticed that you are a pharmacist in the UK and have been a chief pharmacist in a hospital ...
  A: Can I suggest you email me directly at nigel.simmons@ the nhs email domain? I have some experience ...
Flouxetine3/3/2008
  Q: I used to take antidepression medications for two years or about(27 months)I stopped taking it about ...
  A: Lana I would never recommend anyone to resume a treatment such as fluoxetine without first seeing ...
novo-venlafaxine xr3/3/2008
  Q: I am experiencing slight changes in my vision with this drug. I have been taking the product for ...
  A: Lisa Visual disturbances is a common side effect of venlafaxine treatment, and it is most likely to ...
Lexapro/zopiclone safe?2/28/2008
  Q: I am currently travelling around China and need some advice. I was just wondering if it is safe to ...
  A: Wesley I'm envious! China is somewhere I would really love to visit. There is no specific ...
Escitalopram2/27/2008
  Q: I had been on these several yrs but decided i was still quite depressed even on the higher dose of ...
  A: Anita The following is an extract from the UK clinical data sheet for escitalopram. As you can see, ...
can I use this2/25/2008
  Q: One of the my friends suggested me to take Spirulina. I bought Spirulina tabs from market. In that ...
  A: Saroja You do not say why you feel it is necessary to use such a product. From what I can ...
Testing Positive for Bezo2/23/2008
  Q: I am trying to find out if Artane will show up positive on a drug screen for Benzo. I am in a Drug ...
  A: Gary Although there are some similarities in structure between Benzhexol and benzodiazepine drugs ...
i need ur help !!2/22/2008
  Q: . recently..i found that i lost most of my concentration,i don't know why?!may be due to work ...
  A: Yehia We can all lose concentration on occasions and the factors can be numerous and varied. It's ...
citalopram vs escitalopram2/21/2008
  Q: I have been taking antidepressants for awhile now and recently moved to a new state - thus needing a ...
  A: Raina In clinical terms there is no real difference between citalopram and eiscitalopram. The ...
tamoxifen2/21/2008
  Q: what is the likely effect of being administered with tamoxifen when one's liver is failing , ascites ...
  A: Edwin As the following extract from the UK product specification shows, liver problems are a ...
novo-venlafaxine2/20/2008
  Q: My husband has recently (a week) been on the above medication. It was prescribed by our Dr. for ...
  A: Sherry The following links to the UK clinical specification and patient information leaflet will ...
higher hgh levels2/20/2008
  Q: since hgh helps teenager gorw taller i was woundering if i am still growing in hieght if i were to ...
  A: Adawe While there are numerous products which claim to promote growth, my recommendation would be ...
higher hgh levels2/19/2008
  Q: since hgh helps teenager gorw taller i was woundering if i am still growing in hieght if i were to ...
  A: Adawe My advice is not to take anything unless it is recommended by a doctor who has done a ...
Lexapro / Tinnitus2/19/2008
  Q: I was prescribed lexapro for GAD. I took it for 5 weeks with no side effects. I stopped taking it ...
  A: Kevin I think the Lexapro is the cause of your problems. According to the manufacturer's literature ...
pill2/17/2008
  Q: i need to find out what this pill is that i found in my sons room, please help,it is light blue ...
  A: Darryl I cannot find a photo to be give greater confidence to my suspicion, but I believe the ...
psy medicine which do not affect weight gain and diabetes2/17/2008
  Q: SIR AGE 48 MALE WEIGHT 100 KG HEIGHT 5.7 DIABETIC TAKING METFORMIN 500 MG 3 TIMES AND LISINOPRIL 2.5 ...
  A: I'm afraid I am not a mental health specialist and therefore unqualified to make prescribing ...
old pill indentification2/16/2008
  Q: i have an old glass bottle with white round pills in it. the pills have a double square with a ...
  A: Greta I'm afraid on the information you have and without knowing where in the world you are, it is ...
pharmasist too controling2/15/2008
  Q: I recently had some dental work done over a course of several days and I was talkint to the dentist ...
  A: Linda As I am in the UK and not familiar with the regulations regarding prescribing by dentists in ...
methadone2/14/2008
  Q: Yes...i needed to kno if there is any such thing as a 15mg methadone? If so...what does it look ...
  A: Savannah Firstly, I must apologise for the delay in responding. I have been away from home for a ...
elidel and protopic2/13/2008
  Q: Im ill.my illness is LĘKEN PLANUS.my doctor said to me,ę can use elidel or protopic for my ...
  A: Secil Lichen planus is a skin condition that often has no obvious cause. You can read more about it ...
doxycycline hyc2/13/2008
  Q: My doctor recommended not to drink while taking this medicine, mentioning a serious side effect ...
  A: Joe I think your doctor is referring to a rare side effect in some patients where liver function ...
Information on using Warfarin and Glucosamine2/12/2008
  Q: Precisely that please. I'm male, 83yrs with Atriel Fibrilation for which I take Warfarin ...
  A: Harold As you will be aware it is important that your warfarin dosing is controlled to the correct ...
Question about medication2/12/2008
  Q: I have been on pain medication(Hydrocodone) for about three weeks now. Got a tooth pulled. I wanted ...
  A: Jesse While Hydroxycut is heavily promoted, particularly in the body building fraternity, it is not ...
sick, smokeing2/9/2008
  Q: i have ben dienosed with acute sinustitous, the doc gave me AMOX-CLAV 875MG tablets, now im am to ...
  A: Wil Aside from the usual contra-indications to smoking (risk of cancer etc.), there is no problem ...
expiry dates on medicines2/8/2008
  Q: If the expiry date on medicines has just the month and year does that mean the expiry date is the ...
  A: Keith You may not realise, but you have asked one of the most challenging questions known to a ...
pharmacy2/7/2008
  Q: can you tell me that when i go for an interview for medical representative the company ask me about ...
  A: Gurpreet The most important thing in any interview situation is to be yourself and be honest. If ...
Pill Identification2/6/2008
  Q: Please help me identify this pill, the bottom half is white with nothing labeled on it, and the top ...
  A: Shanto I cannot be 100% certain on this product because I believe the original manufacturer (Amide ...
laxatives affect narcotic drug test??2/6/2008
  Q: I just wanted to know if taking sennoside SUP 25mg of laxatives will affect a drug test i have ...
  A: Sennosides will themselves should not cause a false positive result. However, if you are looking to ...
MEDICATION2/5/2008
  Q: My doctor gave me prozac for OCD But I read it was ototoxic, so I'm not taking it - do you know of ...
  A: Nicola This is the site I tracked down yesterday, and I'm a little sceptical about how credible it ...
MEDICATION2/4/2008
  Q: My doctor gave me prozac for OCD But I read it was ototoxic, so I'm not taking it - do you know of ...
  A: Nicola As far as I am aware there is no formally defined adverse effect on hearing as a result of ...
inr levels.1/31/2008
  Q: my father-in-law has levels between 2.3 and 3.0 but occasinally gets a reading of 1.6 or 1.8 he is ...
  A: Lyn All patients on warfarin will see some variation in their INR between tests, even with a fixed ...
lyrica1/30/2008
  Q: I am trying Lyrica for my fibromyalgia. I can only take half of the capsule due to side effects. I ...
  A: Janet For professional reasons I cannot encourage splitting of capsules in the way that you ...
glucosamine1/26/2008
  Q: . what questions would you ask as a uk pharmacist, to a patient requesting glucosamine? i.e What ...
  A: Mo The general practice in the UK is to lead a patient through the WWHAM Questions whenever they ...
Medication mixture1/22/2008
  Q: I take...LISINOPRIL 20MG, PANTORPRAZOLE 40MG, XANAX 0.5MG, PREVALITE 40GR, SINGULAR 10MG, REQUIP ...
  A: Linda While it is a complex range of products, there is no problem with taking any of them in a ...
taking pain pills while pregnant1/21/2008
  Q: my name is Ashley and I have a question about taking pain pills while being pregnant. I would like ...
  A: Ashley The general rule during pregnancy is to avoid all medication if at all possible. That way ...
Technical Writing in Pharmacy1/20/2008
  Q: I'm working on a report about writing in the field of Pharmacy, so I just have a few questions for ...
  A: Natalie I can't promise that my answers are applicable to all pharmacists, especially as I am in ...
Mother in law died1/20/2008
  Q: My mother in law died recently. She went in to the ER and was sent home with the flu. The next day ...
  A: Sandra I am sorry for your sad loss. Unfortunately, I am not a doctor and cannot therefore comment ...
zopiclone(gen) 7.5mg1/17/2008
  Q: I was prescribed zopiclone(gen) 7.5mg for sleeping on 1Oct05. Is it safe to take them today?
  A: Jo While all tablets are manaufactured with a margin of safety, it would not be as long as 13 ...
arthritis1/16/2008
  Q: are Hydorxychloroquine, Lexapro and estrogen gel all compatible? do you believe fluctuating ...
  A: Nancy There is no specific interaction or caution that I am aware of between any of the medications ...
lortab1/16/2008
  Q: is it ok to take lortab when you are pregnant
  A: Alysia The gerneral rule is that no drugs should be taken during pregnancy because it is impossible ...
Pain Pills and Alcohol1/15/2008
  Q: I know someone who is addicted to pain pills and takes them daily. She also drinks on top of it. ...
  A: Megan I'm very sorry to hear of the problems your mother is having. Your concern for her is highly ...
Pain Pills and Alcohol1/14/2008
  Q: I know someone who is addicted to pain pills and takes them daily. She also drinks on top of it. ...
  A: Megan I presume you are referring to Vicodin (Hydrocodone), Percocet and Oxycontin (both forms of ...
Novo-Venlafaxine XR 75 mg1/14/2008
  Q: There was another posting with regard to changing to the generic Effexor after a number of years on ...
  A: Nancy In theory, generic products are intended to be direct equivalents of the original, but like ...
Klonopin Drug test1/12/2008
  Q: I recently took two trips to the ER on a overdose of methadone 80 mg and Klonopin 2mg. The klonopin ...
  A: David I'm sure you are aware that Knonopin is a brand of clonazepam, so it will result in positive ...
Meds1/12/2008
  Q: Is it ok to take Norvasc and Lopressor together?
  A: Debbie It is not uncommon for several drugs with different modes of action to be used to manage ...
taking tenuate with asthma treatments1/11/2008
  Q: i have had asthma for 19 years i am taking ventolin inhaler, serovent inhaler, flixotide inhaler i ...
  A: Andrea There is no specific record of interaction between Tenuate preparations and your range of ...
bleeding for 2 weeks after started contra ceptive pill1/10/2008
  Q: what should i do, i have been bleeding for 2 weeks now after starting to take the pill after a years ...
  A: Cory My immediate recommendation has to be that you should consult your doctor who can then confirm ...
migraines1/9/2008
  Q: im just emailing on behalf of my mum she suffers badly with migraines and takes imigran (sumatripan) ...
  A: Sian There is no problem with taking paracetamol to ease migraine discomfort while also taking ...
lansoprazole1/8/2008
  Q: I am taking Lanzoprazole 30mg ( capsule form). This generic version is produced by Cipla drug co of ...
  A: Roy My apologies. According to the site records your question was answered within 20 minutes of you ...
false positives1/7/2008
  Q: My husband is currently taking lipitor for high blood pressure, will this medication cause any false ...
  A: Norma I'm not aware of Lipitor being associated with false positives for ilicit drug tests, but I'm ...
Sudden stop of Efexor-XR 300mg1/6/2008
  Q: I have been on Efexor Xr 300mg for about 4mths at this dose. I decided to stop because I didn't ...
  A: Karen I'm sorry if I misunderstood your anxieties, but it is difficult to second guess emails. If ...
Sudden stop of Efexor-XR 300mg1/6/2008
  Q: I have been on Efexor Xr 300mg for about 4mths at this dose. I decided to stop because I didn't ...
  A: Karen If you are not suffering from withdrawal side effects, then it is all to the good, though ...
Green tea Extract1/5/2008
  Q: I take Toprol XL 25 mg daily and Cenestin 1.25 mg daily. I would like to begin taking concentrated ...
  A: Jill As you are presumably being treated for some form of heart or blood pressure problem, then it ...
HELP1/3/2008
  Q: I found a pill in my daughter room i would like to know what it is its blue and lavander with the ...
  A: Megan I think this is the product you are describing: ...
hydroxycut and beta blockers1/3/2008
  Q: I am on a 60mg dose of beta blocker. Can I take hydroxycut as well?
  A: Amanda It is difficult to determine the exact contant of Hydroxycut (the manufacturers do not ...
Duragesic and adderall togother1/1/2008
  Q: I take adderall 30 mg i time per day for add. and duragesic 50 one patch every three days. two parts ...
  A: Katrina I can't find any specific references to interaction between Adderall and Durogesic, but I ...
STOMACH ACID1/1/2008
  Q: Dr. Simmons, is there is a test to determine whether I have too much acid or too little acid?
  A: Maryann There are hospital investigations which can determine the level of acid secretion and how ...
birth control12/31/2007
  Q: i am on vacation in chile and forgot to bring my pill packet for this month. I had my old packet and ...
  A: Liz I am concerened because I cannot give you a confident answer. If the product you have obtained ...
diclofenac12/31/2007
  Q: my husband had a hair sample testing for employment and tested positive for 2.3ml of thc, he does ...
  A: Christi I suspect you have been misinformed or misheard the 2.3ml. I think it was more likely 2.3mm ...
Difference between different formulations12/31/2007
  Q: What is the difference between extended release, sustained release, time release, controlled ...
  A: Renu As the names suggest, the differences are down to the rate at which the active drug is ...
Could AMOX-CLAV cause liver pain?12/31/2007
  Q: I was taking AMOX-CLAV 875MG twice a day for 10 days. When I stopped, I feel liver pain. I did not ...
  A: Natalie Problems with liver function is not unknown with patients who have taken Amox-Clav, indeed ...
pregnency12/31/2007
  Q: can i take naproxen while im pregnant
  A: Chyna The general rule is that all medication should be avoided during pregnancy unless it is ...
Propoxy-N/APAP12/30/2007
  Q: You Have said that Darvocet does not contain aspirin (I have Hep C) but isn't Propoxy-N/APAP the ...
  A: Glenn Darvocet and Propxy-N / APAP are equivalent products. Both contain acetaminophen and ...
diclofenac12/30/2007
  Q: my husband had a hair sample testing for employment and tested positive for 2.3ml of thc, he does ...
  A: Christi My suggestion would be that your husband has a thorough physical and screening. Have blood, ...
pill identification12/29/2007
  Q: I have a round, white pill with 368 on oneside and a deep score on the other. I have prescription ...
  A: Lyn I cannot be absolutely certain, but my information sources confirm that there is a generic ...
diclofenac12/29/2007
  Q: my husband had a hair sample testing for employment and tested positive for 2.3ml of thc, he does ...
  A: Christi As far as I know there is no way that diclofenac could give a false positive for ...
depression and seroquil12/29/2007
  Q: "i have been put on seroquel for anxiety plus mirtazapine can you let me know the side effects of ...
  A: Angeline I'm afraid I am not an expert in the diagnosis and management of complex mental health ...
pill id12/28/2007
  Q: What is this pill I found in my drawer with no bottle? It is a peach colored round tablet. One side ...
  A: Shawn I think this is the product you are describing: www.drugs.com/imprints/9-3-7207-8989.html ...
ID a mystery medication12/28/2007
  Q: Capsule, mustard color marked 118 on one end, the other end is off white with marking looking like ...
  A: Cathie If this is the product you are describing: www.drugs.com/imprints/ku-118-10816.html If so, ...
phentermine and buspirone12/28/2007
  Q: Is it okay to take phentermine and buspirone at the same time?
  A: Kandice There is no published evidence of interaction between phentermine and buspirone, but I ...
Mixed Medication12/27/2007
  Q: I have been taking Ramipril 2.5mg for around 5 months now. I recently suffered a bout of Sciatica in ...
  A: Lee Muscle and joint pains are a potential side effect of Ramipril, so this may have contributed to ...
sulfa drugs vs sulfur cream12/27/2007
  Q: I had an allergic reaction to a chemical in hair dye called 'PPD.' I read that people allergic to ...
  A: Lee As you have found the American tendancy to call sulfonamides sulfa drugs does lead to confusion ...
decongestants12/26/2007
  Q: what decongestants are safe with wellbutrin and vyvanse
  A: Becky As both the medications act on brain chemistry, I would not recommend a decongestant drug ...
medicine12/24/2007
  Q: i take Benedryl on a daily basis. Got Tylenol 3 for a sprain. Can i take both together or will that ...
  A: Carie There is no specific interaction between Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and Tylenol 3 ...
What kind of pill is this?12/21/2007
  Q: I allowed someone to spend a few nights here and just found a pill in the room they stayed in and I ...
  A: Brandi If the fancy R looks like this: www.pharmer.org/node/700 and the other side like this: ...
Citalopram and Lexapro.12/12/2007
  Q: As of two years ago I was suffering from massive anxiety attacks. I didn't understand why I was ...
  A: Tim This is an interesting question because as you say citalopram and Lexapro (Escitalopram) are ...
gabapentin12/11/2007
  Q: My wife has been taking gabapentin for about 9 months for neuropathic pain due to nerve damage ...
  A: Peter I see. Age does complicate things further. If your wife is seeing a pain specialist, then ...
gabapentin12/11/2007
  Q: My wife has been taking gabapentin for about 9 months for neuropathic pain due to nerve damage ...
  A: Peter Management of chronic pain is a dark art and is always a matter of juggling benefits and side ...
Urine test for benzodiazepines12/10/2007
  Q: I was subject to a random urine test for drugs. At that time I was prescribed Lorazepam, which I ...
  A: Chris Takng your points in reverse order, the following extract from the product data sheet for ...
malarone12/7/2007
  Q: I am travelling to Kenya tomorrow night from the UK and i have some trouble flying. to calm my ...
  A: Niki There is no specific interaction between these two drugs and diazepam and assuming you have ...
why does septra ds fail a drug test for benzo?12/5/2007
  Q: today i took a drug test for probation and was drug tested. i do not use drugs. but i am perscribed ...
  A: I think I can say with confindence that there won't be any form of chemical reaction or metabolism ...
why does septra ds fail a drug test for benzo?12/5/2007
  Q: today i took a drug test for probation and was drug tested. i do not use drugs. but i am perscribed ...
  A: Matthew While I am happy to offer what advice I can, please do not consider it to be "expert" in ...
re: ANTIOBIOTICS12/3/2007
  Q: BEST ANTIBIOTIC FOR STREPT THROAT.. I'VE HEARD NOT TO MIX BENZODIAZAPINES WITH CIPRO? WHY?
  A: Lynn In the vast majority of cases antibiotics are not necessary for simple throat infections. Most ...
COPD/ventilator11/29/2007
  Q: My dad was recently put on a trach due to burns on his face and throat. The trach was to treat the ...
  A: Jennie I'm a little out of my depth in this area, but a few thoughts would be worth discussing with ...
drug interactions11/26/2007
  Q: can you take cymbalta and xanax together ie cymbalta daily and xanax as needed I have a neruimmune ...
  A: Britt There are no particular problems or interactions if the two drugs are taken at the same time. ...
clonazepam11/25/2007
  Q: i was given this for at times i fell anger more so than i should. i take paroxetine for depression. ...
  A: Shirley My apologies, I had wrongly assumed you were used to taking Clonazepam. Certainly you ...
valtrex11/23/2007
  Q: what medications should not be taken with valtrex???
  A: Kevin There are no serious drug interactions with Valtrex and other products. It is possible that ...
methylpred11/21/2007
  Q: how long does it take for methylpred 4 mg to get out of your system after taking it for three weeks ...
  A: Naomi The plasma (blood) half life of methylprednisolone is appoximately 2.5 - 3.5 hours. i.e. the ...
Re: Medication Information11/20/2007
  Q: Please identify a pill I have found. It is a light blue and round, it has L490 imprinted on it. ...
  A: Brooke Although I don't recognise this as a product in the UK, I think this is the tablet you are ...
drug interactions11/19/2007
  Q: can coumadin (the blood thinner) and ultram be taken together?
  A: Judy Assuming the Ultram contains only Tramadol, then there is no specific interaction with oral ...
Lunesta sleep aid11/15/2007
  Q: I just fail a urine drug screen for opiates.The only thing i have taken was lunesta and a 600mg ...
  A: David As far as I am aware there is no reason why either drug should cause a false positive test ...
morphine overdose11/13/2007
  Q: A friend has overdosed on morphine and is in a coma-little reaction to light held in eyes not ...
  A: Sue If supportive treatment is being given and was available promptly, then a good recovery is ...
21 Day pill11/12/2007
  Q: I start my pill cycle on a Sunday. Last Sunday i took the monday pill but didn't realise and monday ...
  A: Megan I cannot be 100% certain without knowing which brand of pill you are taking, but if the ...
topamax and unisom11/12/2007
  Q: My wife suffers from migrain headaches. She is taking topamax for them right now. But there are ...
  A: Brian While there is no interaction between Topamax and any of the Unisom formulations, I would ...
Cephalexin11/10/2007
  Q: Can Cephalexin be taken with alcohol products ?
  A: Leo Pharmacists never encourage alcohol consumption ;-) However, there is no particular problem if ...
Drug Interactions11/10/2007
  Q: I've been diagnosed with several different problems over the last 4 years. I'm very concerned ...
  A: Annette With such a complex medical history I'm afraid multiple drug therapies are usually ...
Septra DS BEFORE MRSA Test Results?11/9/2007
  Q: My son went to the Dermatologist today, who said that one of the pimples on his face was abscessed. ...
  A: Deb If the infection on your son's face has developed as far as an abscess then delaying antibiotic ...
expired viagra11/9/2007
  Q: i have some viagra which was perscribed to me in 2004 nd expired in 2005. i know that over time ...
  A: Dachsel Although there is a degree of safety in the expiry date given to medicines, it is never ...
Claritin D & Excedrin Migraine11/8/2007
  Q: I have had headaches for years(10 or more). I'm 31. My DR. suggested that I try Claritin D. I ...
  A: Trisha From what you describe, it sounds as though the headaches are a sign of congested sinuses. ...
positive methamphetamine test11/7/2007
  Q: I take weekly random urine drug screens. My last three tests have been positive for ...
  A: Elaine None of the drugs you refer to are related to amphetamines so are very unlikely to give a ...
adderall xr and pin-x11/7/2007
  Q: my son is taking adderall xr 15 mg daily, my daughter is taking adderall 25 mg and will change to ...
  A: Tom As far as I am aware there is no specific contra-indication between any of the products and ...
knee disorder11/5/2007
  Q: I have been taking glucosamine and Chondroitine for some time now. Can I take Shark cartilage which ...
  A: Tim While there is growing evidence that Glucosamine, Chondrytin and calcium supplements can be ...
Pharmacy School11/4/2007
  Q: I have graduated with B.S. in Business about 4 years ago. I am considering being a Pharmacist. Do ...
  A: Michelle Regulations may vary from country to country, but it may well be that you have to take a ...
Novo Venlafaxine XR 150mg11/3/2007
  Q: My doctor believes i was on a 75mg dose and I'm starting on 150mg I have serve psychosis i see ...
  A: Cody The following link will take you to the UK clinical information for venlafaxine: ...
Effexor vx11/2/2007
  Q: I have been taking effexor 75mg for over a week now and have noticed an increase in my BP and Heart ...
  A: Chris Stopping Effexor (venalafaxine) in these circumstances is definitely advisible. Under normal ...
allergic reaction to zoloft11/2/2007
  Q: My doctor prescribed Zoloft for anxiety. I took it about 6 days when I had a severe allergic ...
  A: Jody It does sound like you did suffer a true allergic reaction, so you should ensure that you are ...
red spot under eye10/31/2007
  Q: I have been using for 4 days a products by Obaji with hydroquinone as well as retin a. I have ...
  A: Beth It is a possibility. Retinoins are vitamin D derrivatives used to treat severe acne, and ...
red spot under eye10/31/2007
  Q: I have been using for 4 days a products by Obaji with hydroquinone as well as retin a. I have ...
  A: Beth Obaji seems to be a range of skin conditioning and peeling products? If you have been using a ...
Novo Venlafaxine XR 37.510/30/2007
  Q: I have been prescribed this medication for anxiety. I had recently had a c-1 NUCCA (National Upper ...
  A: Cindy Obviously I am not a doctor and do not have your full medical history, but I am a little ...
CEFDINIR10/24/2007
  Q: HW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR CEFDINIR TO STAY IN YOUR SYSTEM? I GAVE IT TO MY 2 1/2 YEAR OLD NEICE MORE ...
  A: Tzivia Assuming the last dose of Cefdinir was over two weeks ago, then assuming your niece's ...
oxycodone Hcl 10 mg10/19/2007
  Q: I would like to know how long this pill can be kept before it is no longer effective, there is no ...
  A: Catherine Most medications have a shelf life of 2-3 years after manufacture, based on storage in ...
sperm and suboxone10/19/2007
  Q: My husband is on suboxone right now and I am wondering if will affect his sperm if we get pregnant. ...
  A: Courtney There is no evidence that Suboxone affects sperm numbers or activity. Similarly there is ...
Medicines causing a positive drug screen for benzodiazipines10/16/2007
  Q: I am a social worker who has a client who tested positive for Benzodiazipines. She is taking the ...
  A: Stephanie None of the drugs you ask about contain a benzodiazepine, and as their chemical structure ...
?10/13/2007
  Q: i found some pills in my girlfriends room i don't want to check up on her but i'am worried because ...
  A: Stephen You place me in a difficult position, because to identify the medication could effectively ...
Cefalexin for penicillin allergy sufferers10/12/2007
  Q: My daughter has been asked to take "cefalexin" for her fever cold and rashes by her GP. She is ...
  A: UR The general view is that 5-10% of patients who are truly (positive skin reaction) to penicillin ...
pharm-d10/11/2007
  Q: can i do M.D degree after pharm-d.please tell me.i also want be a surgen,please tell me is there any ...
  A: Tayyab I don't know the regulations in your home country, but I can see no reason why you could not ...
morphine-scopolamine10/9/2007
  Q: What effect would injections of morphine (10ml) and scopolamine (.4 ml) have on a bedridden 95 year ...
  A: Liz Scopolamine (Hyoscine) is used clinically to suppress secretions and consequently ease ...
adderrall and loratab10/8/2007
  Q: I am taking 60mg adderall daily and just had surgery for my jaw 1 1/2 weeks ago. I am on loratab, ...
  A: Michele It is quite likely that the amphetamine in Adderall is competing and having an antagonistic ...
antidepressants10/5/2007
  Q: I lost my medical coverage so I was switched from Cymbalta to Prozac. Ihe plan I was switched to ...
  A: Mary Ann Although both are antidepressants, Cymalta and Prozac are from slightly different classes. ...
SMALL WHITE ROUND PILL9/29/2007
  Q: I FOUND A SMALL WHITE ROUND PILL IN MY COUCH IT HAS GG296 ON IT. DO U KNOW WHAT IT IS?
  A: Melissa I think this is the product you are describing: www.pharmer.org/files/images/GG296.jpg If ...
side efects9/28/2007
  Q: im a 24 year old female with a lot of medication. i have mental health problems, brittle asthma, i ...
  A: Niki None of the medications are likely to cause the bleeding or diarrhoea you describe, indeed ...
antibiotics9/19/2007
  Q: i have been on a course of antibiotics called amoxycillin? for five days since monday for a mouth ...
  A: Bryony There is no specific contra-indication between amoxicillin and alchohol, so the greatest ...
Cephalexin and Cheratussin - side effects9/18/2007
  Q: I was prescribed 500 mg of Cephalexin (generic for Kelfax) 2X per day for 10 days. I was also ...
  A: Bridget I suspect the diarrhoea and nausea are probably a side effect of the cephalexin. You will ...
drug interaction9/14/2007
  Q: Can I take ibuprofin if I am taking Claritin?
  A: Dee For routine control of symptoms of allergy, there is no problem with taking ibuprofen and ...
Lidocaine, menthol, and hydrocodone9/12/2007
  Q: I am planning to use a topical cream with 4.0% lidocaine active ingredient and 1% menthol for a ...
  A: Louise I'm not sure I would advise the menthol component of the cream because it could irritate the ...
urine screen positive for benzo's9/10/2007
  Q: my 26 yr old daughter was just released from a 38 day inpatient drug rehab. She is currently ...
  A: Donna Assuming the urine tests are being done in a controlled way (one patient at a time to avoid ...
help9/8/2007
  Q: every morning when I wake up, I will have a runny nose, the insides of my mouth will itch, and I ...
  A: Roshan Many of the symptoms you describe do indeed sound like some form of allergic rhinitis (hay ...
Head Pressure9/7/2007
  Q: I am a 33 yr old female with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I take Ambien CR 12mg on a regular basis and ...
  A: Tina Firstly you should stop taking the phenteramine, with such rapid gastric transit it is not ...
nasal decongestants9/7/2007
  Q: I am trying to compile a very broad list of chemical compounds (or combinations of compounds) that ...
  A: Philip My suggestion would be to get access to a copy of Martindale - The Extra Pharmacopoea which ...
Head Pressure9/6/2007
  Q: I am a 33 yr old female with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I take Ambien CR 12mg on a regular basis and ...
  A: Tina The symptoms you describe very much sound like side effects of the Phentermine (see ...
medication9/3/2007
  Q: i have a resident who i look after that says he takes to many pills how can i answer that
  A: Sharon Questions like this are not uncommon and without knowing the patient's full history and ...
Concerned and in pain9/2/2007
  Q: I've been taking augmentin (875 mg)for an ear infection and aleve gel caps (220 mg) for the pain. I ...
  A: Shay There is no problem with taking the two products at the same time, but it is important to take ...
testosterone8/30/2007
  Q: Greetings I am a 57 year old male in good health however in the last year or so I have had sore ...
  A: Al I presume that the tiredness etc. cannot be attributed to over exertion? While exercise is ...
Xanax and Valium8/30/2007
  Q: Please tell me the shelf life of these two drugs. I have a couple of bottles that are 5/6 years old ...
  A: Kathleen Most tablets have a shelf life from the date of manufacture of 2-3 years. This will ...
Desloratadine side effects8/29/2007
  Q: i am taking clarinex for ear pain i stopped the medicine after taking more than 1week but it ...
  A: Sirisha Firstly, I am puzzled how an antihistamine will help with ear pain. Do you mean that you ...
Re: pills8/29/2007
  Q: I had found a small baggy of pills, i was wondering if you could tell me what they were. Kind of ...
  A: Jen I think this is the product you are describing: ...
90-yr-old Dad--Morphine and COPD8/28/2007
  Q: I'm going to try to make this short, but it is complicated. My 90-yr-old Dad has not been eating ...
  A: Bonnie It does sound as though your father is making slow, but steady progress and is getting out ...
lymecycline8/27/2007
  Q: My 12yr old daughter is on Erythromycin for acne which is not helping at all. Her brother is on ...
  A: Deb The general recommendation is that tetracycines should not be given to children under the age ...
90-yr-old Dad--Morphine and COPD8/27/2007
  Q: I'm going to try to make this short, but it is complicated. My 90-yr-old Dad has not been eating ...
  A: Bonnie Firstly you need to remember that your father has been throgh what for someone with his ...
Is it safe to take Cumadin8/27/2007
  Q: My sister recently had an unruptured brain aneurysm, which she was treated for using a coiling ...
  A: J I don't think the doctors are being indecisive, just juggling complex alternatives and associated ...
loratidine overdose8/26/2007
  Q: My 3 year old grandson got stung by a bee last night....I gave him 5mg of loratidine this am, and ...
  A: Nancy Based on the UK paediatric reference (BNF for Children), the maximum daily dose of Loratidine ...
paxil dosage8/24/2007
  Q: I am a 21 year old male. I was prescribed by my family physician Paxil (generic) 20 mg to help me ...
  A: Dean You are correct that 60mg is the normal upper limit of doses for Paxil, and that doses should ...
contraceptive pill8/24/2007
  Q: please can you tell me if there are any differences between microgynon 21 and microgynon 30, if so ...
  A: Chris Do you mean Microgyon 20? I can't find any record of a Microgynon 21, though most oral ...
methadone by roxane8/23/2007
  Q: 10 ng methadone by roxane has the numbers 54/142 on one side and are white does 5mg methadone by the ...
  A: Thomas Fortunately Roxane do include photographs of their products on their website, which confirms ...
novo-venlafaxine xr8/22/2007
  Q: i was switched meds, and was put on venlafaxine 150 mg for a little over a month. note ( i have ...
  A: Bobbi It sounds very much as though you are exhibiting symptoms of withdrawal from venlafaxine. As ...
New pink generic Adderall?8/21/2007
  Q: I recently moved states and went to refil my adderall prescription, I have always gotten the generic ...
  A: Carmen Unfortunately generic products do not always match the colours of the original brand, but ...
Diabete8/20/2007
  Q: Can Atlantis insulin and 70/30 be mixed together in the same syringe? We have been giving my mother ...
  A: Larry I'm afraid I don't recognise and cannot find any insulin product under the Atlantis brand ...
health question8/19/2007
  Q: I am 55 and have constipation problems - for years. I have had a colonoscopy and have increased ...
  A: Lauren Faecal softeners should not have any negative impact on the risk of developing a bowel ...
health question8/19/2007
  Q: I am 55 and have constipation problems - for years. I have had a colonoscopy and have increased ...
  A: Lauren Regular use of a stool softener is required for it to be effective, and it is preferable in ...
novo-venlafaxine8/15/2007
  Q: i recently got precribed novo-venlafaxine xr 75mg to treat my anxiety disorder. A lot, but not all ...
  A: Rob From the research I have been able to do there appears to be no formal research to determine ...
a little orange pill8/13/2007
  Q: I know there painkillers and anti inflammatory pills i just wanna know the name of it so i can read ...
  A: I'm afraid I can find no trace of the markings you describe in any of my usual reference sources and ...
Tetralysal 300 (Lymecycline)8/13/2007
  Q: Having read a few of the other questions people have asked you about similar medication i am hopeing ...
  A: Emma While it's not appropriate to recommend taking alcohol with any medication, I can confirm that ...
vicodin effects on stomach and liver8/13/2007
  Q: I have a question about the effects of vicodin. If you take 5 750 mg vicodin a day for over a month ...
  A: Jennifer Vicodin is a mix of Acetaminophen and a synthetic opiate Hydrocodone. This means that it ...
Vitamin B128/9/2007
  Q: I need to take Vitamin B12 supplements. I wish to take it as a nasal spray to avoid injections and ...
  A: Chabdrashekar I'm afraid I am unaware of any nasal formulation of B12 being marketed anywhere in ...
amoxycillin vs microgynon8/8/2007
  Q: i regularly prescribe amoxycillin to my patients 500mg for about 5 days. does it render microgyno ...
  A: Johnson There is no specific interaction between amoxicillan and oral contraceptives such as ...
Lymecycline (Tetralysal 300)8/7/2007
  Q: My 12 year old son has been prescribed Lymecycline to help clear his acne. Will his teeth become ...
  A: Wendy As it is a tetracycline antibiotic there will always be a risk of teeth discolouration. ...
combining pain killers8/1/2007
  Q: I suffer from very bad period pain and find it is only eased by taking, for example, 2 paracetamol ...
  A: Lynn Providing that you keep to a maximum of 4g (8 x 500mg tablets) Paracetamol a day, this should ...
need help8/1/2007
  Q: i found some pills in my daughters room she resently had gastrobypass sergery im a little conserned ...
  A: Jim Forgive me if this appears impertinant, but I hope you will understand why I always include the ...
Nova-venlafaxine medicine7/31/2007
  Q: im taking this medicine for one month before 14 days of my periods as im having a very bad pms ...
  A: Samina Alopecia (hair loss) is recognised as a "rare" side effect of Venlafaxine usage, so it may ...
Pharmacology vs Pharmaceutical Sciences7/27/2007
  Q: Would you be so kind as to explain what is the difference between a degree in Pharmacology and one ...
  A: Kerise Very simply, pharmacology is the science of drug action on a living organism, while ...
iron supplements7/25/2007
  Q: I have been taking an iron supplement under the direction of my Gp for about 6 weeks for low blood ...
  A: Russell The following is taken from the UK standard reference. The detail will apply to all iron ...
what is this pill?7/24/2007
  Q: what is a circle white pill with L405 on one side and on the other side it has soo mg in the middle ...
  A: Brogan It is impossible to be absolutely certain regarding the identity of a tablet without first ...
Medication7/22/2007
  Q: Can I take claritin with zanax.f
  A: LaRose There is a risk that antihistamines can cause sedation, thereby increasing the potential ...
Mixture of Pills7/20/2007
  Q: My Dentist has just prescribed me Amoxicillin and i failed to tell her that i am already taking the ...
  A: Joanne Fortunate timing as I'm likely to be off-line most of the weekend. There is no theoretical ...
Expired Medication7/17/2007
  Q: I would like to stop smoking and found some Zyban (bupropion hyrochloride)that expired in September ...
  A: Alison Although manufacturers will have a safety margin in the formulation and packaging of their ...
spironolactone/appetite suppressant7/16/2007
  Q: Is there any harm in taking both an appetite suppressant such as Phentarmine along with ...
  A: Angie I'm not aware of any reason why spironolactone could not be taken with phenteramine. Although ...
side effect7/13/2007
  Q: Can paresthesia include abnormal temperature sensations? When I touch anything warmer than room ...
  A: Amanda Regrettably parasthesia can affect all forms of sensory nerves, so touch, pain, temperature ...
Xanax false-positive for serax?7/10/2007
  Q: My wife was recently drug tested for a job and she lost the job because her test came back ...
  A: Russell I suspect that the test your wife was picked up with was testing for benzodiazepines in ...
Zanax and clarinex7/8/2007
  Q: Is it okay to take both of these drugs. I took a clarinex at 11:00 A.M. Take zanax at night.
  A: LaRose Apologies for a slow response, but I have been travelling to areas where I can't get a ...
Need help identifying a pill7/5/2007
  Q: I found some pills in my daughters room that I need some help finding out what they are. It is a ...
  A: Amy I'm afraid I am really struggling with this as I can find no products which appear to match ...
ultram and missed period7/4/2007
  Q: I have been taking Effexor( 75 mg) for nearly a year now. Recently, I also began taking Ultram once ...
  A: Lauren I am not aware of any reports of Tramadol affecting hormones and period cycles, so it is ...
Fentanyl7/3/2007
  Q: I had a Spinal Fusion in September 2003 relating to L3 & L4 (I was missing L5), due to a birth ...
  A: Louise I'm afraid I am on the limits of my knoweldge and experience with your question, and by and ...
miracleburn6/29/2007
  Q: I was considering Miracleburn as a weight loss supplement. http://www.miracleburn.com. It ...
  A: Scott Whatever claims the manufacturers make about such weight loss products, I would be very ...
African Parasites and breastfeeding6/29/2007
  Q: My wife and I just returned from 7 months in Burkina Faso, West Africa. We both have constant ...
  A: James I think you need much more specialist advice than I can give, especially as there is a young ...
unidentifiable pill6/29/2007
  Q: I have a prescription pill I have found and can't identify what it is. It is white, oblong, and has ...
  A: Brian I cannot be anywhere near 100% confident on this because my usual reference sources are not ...
hi6/27/2007
  Q: i have a surplus of this how much are they worth? the price range please thanks! Nutren glytrol ...
  A: Dana I'm afraid I have no idea of prices because as I explained they are not available in the UK. ...
im wondering6/26/2007
  Q: ok im a freshman this year im wondering what i need to no rite now to prepare for working in ...
  A: Keller It's a little difficult for me to give a lot of advice as things here in the UK may be ...
hi6/23/2007
  Q: i am wondering if unused canned goods that are not consumed , or opened, but may have been touched ...
  A: Dana Given that the stability and breakdown of such products is unknown and there is no way of ...
proscar question6/21/2007
  Q: i'm 19 and have been prescribed to take 1/4 of proscar a day to aid in hair loss i've been ...
  A: John It's a little strange that your doctor is prescribing Proscar 5mg as a treatment for hair ...
microgynon6/20/2007
  Q: i was using microgynon for only a week last month and this month i have missed my period by ...
  A: Kerry Missed periods when starting oral contraceptives is not unusual, and only you will know ...
uti6/20/2007
  Q: I have UTI also seem to have ear and throat infection. doctor gave Nitrofurantoin and amoxicillin ...
  A: Jay There is no real problem with taking both antibiotics at the same time. My only concern would ...
Topamax and Buspar6/19/2007
  Q: Does Topamax and Buspar drugs give false positive in urine tests of drug addiction? Thanks for ur ...
  A: Walaa Drug tests will only find what they are looking for, so if the test is designed to find drugs ...
medicine6/17/2007
  Q: I just took one Claritin D 24 hour extended release tablet. Is it okay if I also take one Tylenol ...
  A: April Extended, Sustained or Modified release are tablet formulations designed to release the drug ...
LORITAB6/15/2007
  Q: WHAT IS THE HIGHEST DOSAGE THAT IS SAFE?I AM ABOUT TO HAVE SURGERY AND I AM TAKING LORITAB FOR A FEW ...
  A: Dave Lortab is a combination product containing Acetaminophen and Hyrdocodone (a synthetic opiate), ...
fish oils and warfarin6/14/2007
  Q: I just wanted to know if the use of fish oils is contraindicated in people who are taking ...
  A: Hmm. Homework. ;-) You're right, the information may be ambiguous but there are a lot of factors ...
side effects6/1/2007
  Q: can you give me some of the side effects caused by decilone forte. I would like also to know what is ...
  A: Arnold I don't recognise the brand name Decilone, but I believe it is a form of dexamethasone, a ...
medicine reaction?5/29/2007
  Q: I was given ERY-TAB 500MG EC TAB 4 times a day for an infection in my right foot. On my 3rd dosage, ...
  A: Lin Erythromycin has occasionally been associated with heart problems, both by interaction with ...
Adult Ear Infection5/25/2007
  Q: I can find little info on ADULT ear infections. My family doctor prescribed Amoxicillan which had NO ...
  A: Ann Glue-ear in adults is unsual as it is most commonly occurs in children and usually disappears ...
preventing sleep5/19/2007
  Q: i am in school and i need to study for long hours because there is limited time, so i would like to ...
  A: Ahmed I commonly get this question as the exam season approaches. My recommendation is that it is ...
Can Cephalexin be taken with cold medicines?5/19/2007
  Q: I just recently started taking Cephalexin for an infection. Yesterday I started to feel slightly ...
  A: David There are no particular problems with taking cold remedies with antibiotics such as ...
Piroxicam5/18/2007
  Q: I am a 23 year old male and I am currently taking Piroxicam 20 MGCapsules MLY once a day. I am going ...
  A: Nate There is no problem with taking alcohol while using Piroxicam, though obviously I have to ...
Mixing Uppers and Downers5/17/2007
  Q: Mr. Simmons I have just been prescribed Dextroamphetamine Sulfate 20mg twice a day(which will be ...
  A: Scott I'm afraid this is rather out of my sphere of expertise and advice is best sought from your ...
medicine5/16/2007
  Q: I have burcitus in my right shoulder and both kness. I am active duty military and the Dr's on base ...
  A: Junnifer Bursitis is an inflammatory joint problem which usually responds to anti-inflammatory or ...
novo venlafaxine xr5/16/2007
  Q: I have been taking novo venlafaxine xr: 37.5 mg a day (for anxiety) for the last 3 days and I am ...
  A: Julie I'm afraid I can't really recommend any vitamin or herbal type products to treat anxiety. As ...
novo venlafaxine xr5/15/2007
  Q: I have been taking novo venlafaxine xr: 37.5 mg a day (for anxiety) for the last 3 days and I am ...
  A: Julie As you are taking a sustained release (long acting) formulation, it will usually take 7-10 ...
contraceptive pill after misscarriage5/15/2007
  Q: My Wife had a misscarriage 4 weeks ago. Having misread the instructions she started taking the pill ...
  A: Bob I'm sorry for you both. I suspect the spotting is just an effect from hormone levels returning ...
novo venlafaxine xr5/14/2007
  Q: I have been taking novo venlafaxine xr: 37.5 mg a day (for anxiety) for the last 3 days and I am ...
  A: Julie It sounds as though you are experiencing common side effects of Venlafaxine (see ...
pain medications5/4/2007
  Q: I have been on 135 mg. of oxycodone due to a degenatrive spinal condition...before that , my x-Dr ...
  A: Cynthia Are you sure the pain specialist is treating you like an addict? It is true that through ...
Piroxicam5/4/2007
  Q: I am 18 years old, about 5ft 8in tall 135 lbs am I have been seeing a specialist for arthritis that ...
  A: Nate I think the weight gain you describe would be due to fluid retention, a rare but serious side ...
Lidocaine and Prilocaine cream, 2.5%/2.5%4/27/2007
  Q: I am 18 and I think I have had tennis elbow for around 3 to 4 months now from playing racquetball. ...
  A: Nate EMLA is now widely used to ease pain at injection sites. Visit the children's ward of any ...
False positive in urine screen for Benzo4/27/2007
  Q: Can the drug Benzocaine give a positive urine screen for the class of drugs in the Benzo family ...
  A: Stephen Benzocaine is not a benzodiazepine like Xanax and Valium so it should not be detectable in ...
Iron Tablets4/27/2007
  Q: CAN I USE IRON TABLETS THAT HAVE EXPIRED ON 02/2007
  A: Rumana Although manufacturers will have a margin for safety in the setting of expiry of a product, ...
xanax4/26/2007
  Q: I just wanted to know if I take xanax twice (on tablet only each time) in the same week, will it ...
  A: Dan It really depends what the test is looking for. Even simple urine dip tests are quite specific ...
drug test4/26/2007
  Q: will cymbalta cause any type of false positive(for illict drugs)to appear in urine drug screen?
  A: Jonathan If the test is looking only for opiates, amphetamines and cocaine, then Cymbalta should ...
metaxalone4/26/2007
  Q: Is is alright to take ibuprofen while taking metaxalone for a muscle spasm in the lower back? The ...
  A: Jo The manufacturers recommend that anyone who experiences persistent headaches should see their ...
help4/26/2007
  Q: I'm not sure if I have the right person, but my question is, I'm 19 year old, and very short, I'm ...
  A: Jack I fear that at 19 there is little that can be done to increase your height. Most people attain ...
constipation drug4/25/2007
  Q: I am anxious to find in America a German drug I have used for constipation. it is called BECUNIS. ...
  A: Gordana I think the product you are referring to is also called Bekunis (my German and Dutch aren't ...
Megacolon4/24/2007
  Q: My 2 year old has been having abdominal distention for about 8 months. She was just in the emergency ...
  A: Xiomara I am not a doctor and only have limited detailed knowledge of many medical problems ...
interactions/contraindications4/23/2007
  Q: Can a teenager already on accutane (has one month left to finish) take an antimalarial drug such as ...
  A: Diane I am not aware of any problems, though admittedly use of antimalarials is not a usual ...
celebrex4/22/2007
  Q: If a Celebrex (celecoxib) is ingested will it show up on a drug test? If so what will it show up as?
  A: Steven I'm assuming you are referring to a drug test for illicit products such as heroin or ...
Ultraset4/18/2007
  Q: .. I took one pill on two seperate occassions and both time about or even six hours after taking got ...
  A: Jeanne Although the literature cites gastro-intestinal problems as rare, I think the problems you ...
Clonazepam4/17/2007
  Q: I recently went over my prescribed dose because I felt very anxious I am bipolar and I have GAD. I ...
  A: Denia I would not recommend routine additional dosing unless your doctor has told you the upper ...
Zeneperin4/17/2007
  Q: I hope you can help me. Can you please tell me anything about a pain medication called Zeneperin? ...
  A: Kathryne I'm afraid I have drawn a complete blank on tracking down anything about this product, or ...
effexor xr vrs. novo-venlafaxine xr4/17/2007
  Q: I was taking effexor xr 150 mg for some years with much success. Decided to switch to ...
  A: Ahmie The Novo product is intended to be a generic (ubranded) equivalent of Effecor XR and is ...
cumadin and steroids together4/16/2007
  Q: Is it ok for a person to take cumadin(has 2 stints in heart) for heart condition and steroids for an ...
  A: Tasha Steroids can significantly affect the anticoagulant effect of Coumadin and increase the risk ...
I FOUND A PILL IN MY SONS ROOM4/12/2007
  Q: I FOUND A PILL IN MY SONS ROOM.IT IS SAMLL WHITE ROUND PILL,SCORE W/F L,ON ONE SIDE AND A 10 ON THE ...
  A: Terri I'm afraid I haven't had any luck identifying the product you describe. Your local pharmacy ...
Viagra - expired medication4/10/2007
  Q: I have some Viagra that was perscribed to me back in 2001, that I have not used. Is it still safe to ...
  A: Jeff While there is usually some margin for safety in the shelf life of any tablet, there is no ...
i found a pill in my sons pockey??what is it?4/9/2007
  Q: i found a pill in my 15 yr old pocket .....he said it was for pain in his back....it has the number ...
  A: Chris For simple back pain, gabapentin would not be the first choice. A non-steroidal ...
i found a pill in my sons pockey??what is it?4/9/2007
  Q: i found a pill in my 15 yr old pocket .....he said it was for pain in his back....it has the number ...
  A: Chris I think this is the product you are describing: ...
interactions between medications3/31/2007
  Q: Can I take Claritin -d (24 hour) , effexor xr (75) and ulatrect together safely?
  A: Margaret I cannot find any trace of a product called Ulatrect, can you confirm the spelling? With ...
Lisinopril 10 mg3/30/2007
  Q: I've been taking Lisinopril 10 mg for 2 years, it was always a pink oval with E101 on it. I just got ...
  A: Cathy It sounds as though you have come across one of the rare occasions when a generic product is ...
Is it really phentermine or not?3/30/2007
  Q: I ordered phentermine online and what I got no one has yet to identify. The package was postmarked ...
  A: Sarah Without proper laboratory analysis it is impossible to be certain what any tablet or capsule ...
Synthroid and Levothroxine3/30/2007
  Q: I read online that Levothroxine is the generic for Synthroid. Does this mean that they are the same ...
  A: Connie Yes they are exactly the same drug. Synthroid is a brand name product, whilst Levothyoxine ...
Paxil CR Withdrawls3/29/2007
  Q: - Good afternoon, I recently tapered off of Paxil CR after a few months on it. While tapering ...
  A: Robert It's difficult to say how long such effects will continue as they are very much dependent on ...
amoxicillan3/28/2007
  Q: will amoxicillan give you a positive urine screen for cocaine
  A: Marco I am not aware of any reason why amoxicillin would give a false positive for cocaine or other ...
Prilosec3/25/2007
  Q: I have been diagnosed with gastritis. (no h pylori) I tried protonix and aciphex but had side ...
  A: Marissa Urticaria / itching in the slin is described as an uncommon side effect of Ompeprazole, so ...
expired supplements3/24/2007
  Q: what are the side effects of taking an iron supplement that is expired since 6/06?
  A: Shauna Whilst it cannot be recommended to take any medicine beyond its expiry date, there is ...
Lexipro/Generic?3/23/2007
  Q: My wife is currently taking lexipro.We would like to know if there is a generic brand for lexipro?My ...
  A: Steve A mix of bad and hopefully good news on this question. There is no generic form of Lexapro ...
Prilosec3/20/2007
  Q: I have been diagnosed with gastritis. (no h pylori) I tried protonix and aciphex but had side ...
  A: Marissa You don't say what dose of Prilosec you are taking, so it may be that you can take a lower ...
dabigatran3/20/2007
  Q: My relative a cardiac patient and AF was advised by the doctor to join in RE-LY study by Boeringher ...
  A: Asis Dabigratan is not in the same class of drugs as Clopidogel but it does have similar properties ...
Pain Killers for Headaches3/18/2007
  Q: I have been taking pain killers for headaches for about a year now. For three years prior to that I ...
  A: Therese From the dosage you describe, I cannot see that Adco-Dol is likely to cause any GI ...
male testosterone replacement therapy3/11/2007
  Q: I recently had a physical and my blood work showed that I have a low testosterone level of 180. My ...
  A: Paul Information on both products can be found on their respective websites: www.androgel.com ...
aminophylin3/6/2007
  Q: patient with asmathic bronchospasam has received aminophylin infusion with speed 20mg/h.After 12h ...
  A: Jelena Although your suggestion that levels are directly proportional to the dose, this is not ...
ditropan/hyperhidrosis3/2/2007
  Q: Due to an unexpected side effect from a neurosurgery procedure I am now a chronic sufferer of ...
  A: Jason I sympathise with your problems. At present there are few medications used to treat ...
ranitidin2/28/2007
  Q: 48 patient has duodenal ulcer,he were taking ranitidine for 8 weeks but the symptoms are worse then ...
  A: Jelena If the endoscopy did not include a screen for Helicobacter pylori as this can easily be ...
St Johns Wort2/23/2007
  Q: I was wondering if it is safe to take Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen (Lortab) while taking St. Johns ...
  A: Nicole Herbal products like St John's Wort are potentially more hazardous when taken with other ...
Can you identitify these pills2/22/2007
  Q: I keeep finding pills in my child possesssion one is a round orange pill it has the THE NUMBER 285 ...
  A: Mandy Unfortunately I cannot find any product which matches exactly the codes you have given. ...
Proton Pump Inhibitors for Children2/19/2007
  Q: I was wondering if you could help me identify a few proton pump inhibitors that are used for ...
  A: Mark This sounds like a coursework question! ;-) From my experience, Omeprazole is most commonly ...
Xenical2/11/2007
  Q: Is it safe for a diabetic who is taking lisinopril and lopid to also take orlistat(xenical) to aid ...
  A: Naomi Whilst there is no problem with taking either lisinopril or Lopid, it would be advisible to ...
IDpills2/11/2007
  Q: first one vary small extra small round off wight with the markings R x 7 ? second one large oval ...
  A: Tim I assume from the question mark the first code is incomplete? However, I think this may be the ...
manufacturer-mixed2/8/2007
  Q: again, My previous post is ridiculous. I was trying to be lighthearted and instead it's stupid. ...
  A: Sullivan I can't be absolutely certain, but I assume the notes refer to a commercially produced ...
"... and more morphine than you can use in a lifetime "2/4/2007
  Q: Nigel, I want to introduce my question with the remark that I am only wanting to address the ...
  A: Sullivan Without all the relevant details it's impossible to give a specific response, but I can ...
unidentified capsule2/1/2007
  Q: I found a capsule a little smaller than a Nyquil, it is half white and half orange, and it is powder ...
  A: Cole Nyquil is not sold in the UK, so I can't be certain of its size. From its ingredients I would ...
Prilosec vs Prilosec OTC1/31/2007
  Q: Is there a difference between prescription Prilosec (Omeprazole) and Prilosec OTC (over the ...
  A: Michael As far as I can tell there is no difference between the products and they will almost ...
mixing drugs1/23/2007
  Q: My husband has a bottle with Hydrocodone, benedryl, muscle relaxer and ibuprofen all mix up. He ...
  A: Aubry I'm sure you realise that while it is conventient to keep all medicines in one bottle for ...
medications my husband is taking1/20/2007
  Q: My husband is currently taking levothyroxine, cardizen cd and lisinopril-hctz. Would any of these ...
  A: Connie There is no specific interaction between your husband's medications and lorazepam, and ...
side effects1/18/2007
  Q: Can you tell me if any research has ever been done to determine which are the most common side ...
  A: Al Hopefully I have understood your question correctly. I don't think any specific research will ...
Quality Control1/14/2007
  Q: What is quality control? What does a person do in this fiel of Pharmacy? Please do reply to this ...
  A: Safia Quality Control (sometimes described as Quality Assurance) is the process of testing and ...
Mixing drugs?1/12/2007
  Q: My fiance has an ear infection and was prescribed Floxin OTIC and Amoxicillin (500MG). I was ...
  A: As both amoxicillin and Floxin are antibiotic preparations, there is no problem with adding in an ...
Malarone and Conception1/4/2007
  Q: Myself and my husband are off to Kenya for 2 weeks in February and have been advised to take ...
  A: Kirsty It is a general rule in medicine that drugs and pregnancy should not be mixed. However in ...
oxycontin1/3/2007
  Q: Ok, so I got that, but what about the hydrocodone in vicoden compared to oxycodone in oxycontin? My ...
  A: Emad My apologies. It's been a long holiday period! Although there are numerous variables which ...
underarm deodorants1/2/2007
  Q: I notice that some of underarm deodorants contain aluminum chlorohydrate and some of the newest ...
  A: Al There is not really any significant difference between the products. Aluminium Chlorohydrate is ...
oxycontin1/2/2007
  Q: You helped me in the past and I have a quick question today. I take vicoden es. How is oxycontin ...
  A: Emad Vicodin is a combination product containing Acetaminophen and Oxycodone in a "normal" release ...
suboxone and side effects12/18/2006
  Q: I am currently on 8mg of suboxone, it really has changed my life. I have no cravings and I now ...
  A: Holly I'm pleased that you are finding Buprenorphine (Suboxone) sucessful in managing your ...
Pharmacy Volunteer12/14/2006
  Q: I am a pre-pharmacy student right now, but I need to volunteer 40 hours at a pharmacy location. I ...
  A: Eva As I'm in the UK, I can't claim to have a wealth of experience of US hospital pharmacy ...
withdrawing clomipramine11/28/2006
  Q: sallam I have been taking clomipramine for 10 months and for the last 5 months i was taking 25 mg ...
  A: Aqoob Having started a withdrawal programme, I would not recommend re-starting treatment unless you ...
medications11/27/2006
  Q: I have Chronic Ideopathic Demylineating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) and have been on Gamunex 10% product ...
  A: Ken Perhaps you won't be surprised if I say this is a question very much outside my comfort zone ...
pill identification11/24/2006
  Q: Can you tell me what pill is little, yellow and has R ...
  A: Caty I assume this is the product you are referring to: ...
BZO's11/24/2006
  Q: how many nano gram's are in a gram ? if i don't take xanx a lot so it is not built up in my system . ...
  A: Timothy A nanogram is one billionth of a gram i.e. there are 1,000,000,000 nanograms in 1g. The ...
indentify11/23/2006
  Q: Can you let me know what IP131 with 400 on the back is please. It is quite a large round white pill. ...
  A: Dave I think this is the product you are describing: ...
bad breath11/14/2006
  Q: for some time now I have been struggling with halitosis. It is awful and I feel it is affecting my ...
  A: Tom As you have seen an ENT specialist who has clearly made a detailed examination, it is difficult ...
Is Ibupropen the same as Roboxin?11/13/2006
  Q: And is either medience okay for a person to take that has had an kidney transplant?
  A: Toi I assume you mean Robaxin (Methocarbamol)? In which case it is not the same drug or drug class ...
what is this pill11/11/2006
  Q: I found a small white pill with the numbers 93 on the top and 834 underneath. Can you tell me what ...
  A: Patti I think this is the product you are describing: ...
(NO GCMS)11/8/2006
  Q: What does "Abuse I Profile" mean?
  A: Robert I'm afraid I need a few more details to get an understanding of your question. Can you ...
swelling and hives11/6/2006
  Q: You advise expert medical advice but I have seen not one but three specialist in the last year and a ...
  A: Jan I'm afraid with complex allergies it can be a battle to find a treatment and it is often a case ...
small rash on leg11/6/2006
  Q: I have sort of small rash on my lower leg. It has been there for months and will not heal. It's ...
  A: Angie There are several possibilities, so my advice would be to start simple and see how much it ...
swelling and hives11/4/2006
  Q: I am a 42 year old female that has had some allergy problems all my life but nothing severe. I ...
  A: Jan It sounds as though you have become overly sensitised to allergens by the vaccinations and need ...
Sty in both eyes10/31/2006
  Q: I keep getting stys in my eyes. After they go away I don't feel anything for about a week and then ...
  A: Sherry Recurrant styes can be a probem and treatment is often a matter of hygeine and perseverence. ...
Suboxone10/31/2006
  Q: I have recently began suboxone treatment for dependency to hydrocodone. I was taking approximately ...
  A: Jason Firstly, my apologies for not responding as quickly as you perhaps hoped. Global time zones ...
Birth Control Pills10/30/2006
  Q: How long after taking birth control pills are they out of your system? How long will I be like I ...
  A: Tina When stopping drugs like oral contraceptives, effects and side effects tend to disappear over ...
amox/clav10/23/2006
  Q: I have a full prescription of amox/clav dated Nov 16, 2005. The doctor gave this prescription to me ...
  A: Bonnie If the prescription has been dispensed by a reputable pharmacy (i.e. from fresh stock) and ...
Sty in eye10/22/2006
  Q: I have a sty on my left eyelid. You said that if Kathy felt that she had a steady hand she could ...
  A: Jessica If I recall, I did urge caution with this approach - to say the least it might be painful! ...
identify a pill10/20/2006
  Q: I found a pill that is oval, white,not a capsule, and the imprint on one side is L612. can you help ...
  A: I'm afraid this code doesn't appear in any of my usual reference sources. The closest I can find is ...
medicines10/14/2006
  Q: in my medacation bottle i found a pill that was different from all the rest it is white and has TOP ...
  A: David I think this is the product you are desc