Community Chat

[SaRina]

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@Lipstickdiva wrote:

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@SaRina wrote:

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I don't know what you mean by this, but I had lengthy conversations with a couple of pharmacists regarding drugs prescribed vis-a-vis my medical history and other factors.  At no time did they consult with a computer.  :-)

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I know you had a lengthy conversation with a couple of pharmacists but years ago, I worked in a family owned pharmacy and was a pharmacy tech.  All pharmacies have computers and all customer/patient information is put into the computer along with your prescriptions.  When you come in with another script, your info. is pulled up and that script is added.

The computer will give a warning to the pharmacist or tech if it detects a drug interaction with your new script and something else you've had that was entered previously.  That's why it's important not to go from pharmacy to pharmacy to pharmacy.       

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@Hi @Lipstickdiva.  Yes, I know when a pharmacist fills an Rx, all patient info is in the computer and s/he will be alerted to drug interactions.

My questions were specifically concerning the drug in light of my medical history and my sensitivities, which I had to discuss with the pharmacist. Assuming there would be no problem, it was quicker to ask the pharmacist on short notice than to get hold of my doctor.  However, he agreed that my questions and concerns were valid and suggested I discuss with my doc, which I did, and a different drug was prescribed.

Also, doctors are sometimes given incentives by pharmaceutical companies to prescribe certain drugs.  We all see the pharm salespeople who visit doctors' offices regularly.... but we are not privy to when the drug we are being prescribed is part of this equation.   For that reason alone, I find it valuable to consult with my unbiased pharmacist.

[chrystaltree]

Yeah, I would say you need to call your doc but you can also call your pharmacist with questions about meds. 

[walkingal]

I'm sure for strep and sinus there must be alternatives.  Sorry you have to go through this.  Feel better soon.

[QueenDanceALot]

Even my doctor (well, ex-doctor) has told me to ask the pharmacist about the medications I've been prescribed if I had any questions or issues.

Seems even he knows that the pharmacist knows more about them than he does....

[Mrsq2022]

I would like to suggest that as a habit, never break or crush any pill unless directed by a doctor to do so.  Pills may be quick release or slow release, they may have an enteric coating, designed to dissolve and be absorbed in your intestine instead of your stomach.  Even over the counter pills may not be safe to cut or crush.  

[Mrsq2022]

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@QueenDanceALot wrote:

Even my doctor (well, ex-doctor) has told me to ask the pharmacist about the medications I've been prescribed if I had any questions or issues.

Seems even he knows that the pharmacist knows more about them than he does....

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Or you may be on medications from a different physician that you "forgot" to mention, like so many patients. ...safer and smarter for him to tell his patients to check with the pharmacist.  

[QueenDanceALot]

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@Mrsq2022 wrote:

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@QueenDanceALot wrote:

Even my doctor (well, ex-doctor) has told me to ask the pharmacist about the medications I've been prescribed if I had any questions or issues.

Seems even he knows that the pharmacist knows more about them than he does....

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Or you may be on medications from a different physician that you "forgot" to mention, like so many patients. ...safer and smarter for him to tell his patients to check with the pharmacist.  

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Well, no, not in my case.  He knew I wasn't taking anything else.

But yeah, maybe it's his standard response.

"Standard response" being one reason he's no longer my doctor.

[Moonchilde]

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@Mrsq2022 wrote:

I would like to suggest that as a habit, never break or crush any pill unless directed by a doctor to do so.  Pills may be quick release or slow release, they may have an enteric coating, designed to dissolve and be absorbed in your intestine instead of your stomach.  Even over the counter pills may not be safe to cut or crush.  

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This. The reason I wrote the same, last night, is because I did this once. JUST once! My medication isn't timed release or an antibiotic for acute treatment, but it is a "horse pill", so once I just snapped it in half, and...

Soooo sick to my stomach, from a medication that normally did not do this. No enteric coating. Ugh.

[chrystaltree]

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@Moonchilde wrote:

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@Mrsq2022 wrote:

I would like to suggest that as a habit, never break or crush any pill unless directed by a doctor to do so.  Pills may be quick release or slow release, they may have an enteric coating, designed to dissolve and be absorbed in your intestine instead of your stomach.  Even over the counter pills may not be safe to cut or crush.  

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This. The reason I wrote the same, last night, is because I did this once. JUST once! My medication isn't timed release or an antibiotic for acute treatment, but it is a "horse pill", so once I just snapped it in half, and...

Soooo sick to my stomach, from a medication that normally did not do this. No enteric coating. Ugh.

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        I take more pills that I want to think about now and the package insert always states if a pill can me cut or crushed.  Still, I don't know you didn't just call your pharmacist. 

[Moonchilde]

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@chrystaltree wrote:

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@Moonchilde wrote:

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@Mrsq2022 wrote:

I would like to suggest that as a habit, never break or crush any pill unless directed by a doctor to do so.  Pills may be quick release or slow release, they may have an enteric coating, designed to dissolve and be absorbed in your intestine instead of your stomach.  Even over the counter pills may not be safe to cut or crush.  

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This. The reason I wrote the same, last night, is because I did this once. JUST once! My medication isn't timed release or an antibiotic for acute treatment, but it is a "horse pill", so once I just snapped it in half, and...

Soooo sick to my stomach, from a medication that normally did not do this. No enteric coating. Ugh.

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        I take more pills that I want to think about now and the package insert always states if a pill can me cut or crushed.  Still, I don't know you didn't just call your pharmacist. 

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Because I don't live in fear of medication, or call my doctor's office or pharmacy for every little thing, having worked in the medical field for close to 50 years. I tend to know the big things from the little things by experience. What happened to me was uncomfortable but not dangerous. I don't pore over every insert either. If I feel motivated (rarely) I can look it up in a PDR.