It’s a long, sad story that has surprised us all (or surprised me at least). The disappearance of FluMist. What happened? Where has it gone? What do we do now? Kids and needle-phobic adults everywhere are in a panic. Let Helpful Pharmacist tell you what you need to know.
When Is the Best Time to Get a Flu Shot?
It is August. School has started. Fall is coming. Flu vaccine has arrived in the store and we have signs everywhere. This prompts a frequent question from my customers: “When is the best time to get a flu shot?” There are a lot of things to consider, and the answer isn’t as easy as you might expect.
12 Ways To Make Your Life Easier at the Pharmacy Counter
For some people, a trip to the pharmacy is a dreaded experience. It is certain to include long lines, time spent waiting, insurance headaches, and rubbing elbows with sick people. No fun! Today I am going to show you a few ways to make your life easier at the pharmacy. Hopefully, after reading this, you will be able to take some of the pain out of your pharmacy visit.
Continue reading 12 Ways To Make Your Life Easier at the Pharmacy Counter
Should I Be Taking Vitamin D Supplements?
I receive a lot of questions every day about over the counter medication, including vitamins and supplements. Most of those questions stem from something someone saw on television or read online. I can always tell when Dr. Oz talks about something new, because I will get a lot of similar questions during the same day. Vitamins and other supplements can be very good for you, if you need them. Let’s talk today about vitamin D supplements and why you might need one.
11 Things You Should Never Say to Your Pharmacist
When you work with the general public every day, you hear a lot of crazy things. Some things you hear over and over and they start to get under your skin after a while. We get a lot of positives from our customers. We also get some laughs at their expense. It helps us stay sane to poke fun at them sometimes. Some pharmacists can’t do this and become bitter and adversarial. There is a high burnout rate in our industry. I try very hard each day to not let the weird things get to me, and instead I try to enjoy all of our customers and their eccentricities.
When you read the list below, know that I am only kidding. Kind of. You are probably guilty of one or more of these. The list might be funnier to those who work behind the counter, because everything will sound so familiar. Feel free to fire back at me with things a pharmacist shouldn’t say to a patient if you like. I would love to hear it.
Continue reading 11 Things You Should Never Say to Your Pharmacist
Steroid Nasal Spray Product Review: Great For Allergy Season
When you are talking about medications, there isn’t always a way to review products. The only way you can review them is if you actually suffer from the condition they are treating. Fortunately for you (and not so much for me) I do have personal experience with steroid nasal sprays. Allergies are a way of life here in Texas. Three products have gone from prescription-only to over-the-counter status within the last couple of years. I have tried them all. So, here is my steroid nasal spray product review.
Continue reading Steroid Nasal Spray Product Review: Great For Allergy Season
What Is the Best OTC Treatment For Seasonal Allergies?
It’s that time of the year, folks. Springtime. The weather is warming up. The birds are singing. The trees and flowers are blooming. It is one of my favorite times of the year. Except for one thing…..allergies. Itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, sinus congestion……maybe I don’t like Spring that much after all. Sure, I do. These things are treatable. Let’s talk about the what the best OTC treatment for seasonal allergies is.
Continue reading What Is the Best OTC Treatment For Seasonal Allergies?
Why I Think It Is OK for Businesses to Be Open on Easter Sunday
Hey! Happy Easter everyone! I hope you had a great day with your families. I was working all weekend, so my time with my family was very limited. As I worked from Friday through Sunday, I noticed a pattern in what I was hearing from my customers. Human behavior interests me a lot so I conducted a very informal study on their behavior as it related to me having to be at work on a religious holiday. The results may or may not surprise you.
Continue reading Why I Think It Is OK for Businesses to Be Open on Easter Sunday
How Do I Properly Dispose of Unused Medication?
How do I properly dispose of unused medication? I hear this question almost every day. A lot of people expect to just bring it back to the pharmacy. I had a guy the other day bring in a plastic grocery bag full of old pill bottles. He set it on the counter and when the technician grabbed it to see what was in it he said “You have possession of it now. It’s yours.” Of course, he was kidding. We know our patients really well and we joke with each other a lot. But, really, how do you dispose of medication properly? There are several ways to answer that question.
Continue reading How Do I Properly Dispose of Unused Medication?
How To Get Rid of Heartburn Quickly And Safely
Heartburn, or acid reflux: that uncomfortable burning in your chest, usually brought on by something you have eaten, or maybe stress. It can make you miserable. I know, I am a chronic sufferer myself. It can be very irritating and it can alter your lifestyle, diet, sleeping habits, and other health issues if not treated properly. How do I get heartburn relief you ask? You have come to the right place my friend…
Continue reading How To Get Rid of Heartburn Quickly And Safely