Know your medicine (pills aka medication)

[borninquisitive]

I can not stress this enough, understand what you are taking, why and side effects, contraindications with other meds etc.
Work with your doctor, in regards to medications.

My experience: I previously was a Pharmacy technician. Due to my having access to ambulatory records (clinical setting) as well as my Pharmacist (my boss)...we had an advantage over Pharmacists in the private sector. We were able to formulate our own opinion as to what might work best, as well as catch errors -for which we did, a number of times!
The private sector doesn't have this advantage.
Thus, it is very important for you to be able to truly speak with your Pharmacist.
He/she should take the time in "patient counseling." Meaning, that if you are new to them or the medication is new to you (but you are not new to them) they should speak to you about the medication, in handing it to you.
This IS THE mark of a GOOD pharmacist! Believe it or not, they are equally important to you, belonging in your "team" in regards to medicine.

The Pharmacist knows a great deal, medicine is truly his/her "business" (this, they understand than most doctors) and they've come to understand conditions requiring medication. He/she IS your friend, in this area.

From personal experience, "mom & pop" shops were the best in regards to Pharmacy. Not saying that large chains are inferior but in my speaking with Pharmacists worth their grain of salt, they preferred NOT working in such chains.

Part 2 continued...

[borninquisitive]

You should be able to speak to you Pharmacist about your medication like you would your friend. He/she should have the time to address your concerns/questions, as a friend in knowing and concerned equally.

A genuinely GOOD Pharmacist is passionate about his/her job and the field of medicine. Yet, they retain a level head.

Ironically, in my experience, while we all had respect for medicine and genuinely saw it's rightful place and upheld it...most of us preferred to avoid medication if we could avoid it.

At any rate, speak to your Pharmacist. Develope a relationship with him/her. I think you will be happier and more confident in your medications and him/her on account of it.
If your Pharmacist doesn't give you the time of day, move on. Trust me, you'll be happier in having done so. They may very well be one who saves your life.

Sincerely,
~Kate

[borninquisitive]

As a sidenote, tell you doctor of ALL pills you are taking, including Vitamins/herbal remedies...even if they don't ask.
If you fail to tell him/her, be sure to tell your Pharmacist.
Unfortunately, Vitamins and other "natural" supplements still render both clueless. Print out documentation of supplements that you are taking and provide them to your Doctor and Pharmacist.
Again, if either are worth their grain of salt, they'll be interested. That is, if they don't have an opinion already.

~Kate

[crystaly]

Hi wish you were my pharmicist never mind havent got a good dr so what else is new. Bit of advice if you have any Ive been on clonazapam for almost two years for myoclonus. I was on 0.5 mg 3x day but it basically makes me really drowsy, prolems thinking straight etc. Ive reduced down to half a one 0.5 mg myself but  withdrawel has been  absolutely horrendous. Ive been doing it weekly eg cutting half a tablet a week is that too much? Is that why Ive had so many horrible side effects? Have you any idea how long it stays in your system after you stop altogether. I,d appreciate any advice. Thanks xx Chris

[mungufuata]

Maybe it's just me, but I'm kinda tired of all this unsolicited advice.  This is a forum for questions and answers, not general health information.  I'm happy for you that you used to work in a pharmacy, but that by no means makes you an expert.  Not trying to be mean; just get tired of the answers to questions no one asked.

[young at heart]

Great Post!My small town pharmatist has been awesome and is a great part of my medical team.Each month he goes over each med and there side effects even though I've been on them for a year.
Earlier this year I was prescribed a floraquinne antibiotic fot pnemonia,even though ER DR was told what meds I was on he prescribed it any way,its a good thing I went to this pharmacy,the combination of the floriquine antibiotic and my current meds could of been deadly.Be he caught it.Thank God.
I had just went through a medication overdose,not my fault my neuro's he increased the quinine to 3 times a day,my neuro wasn't in  so I called my pharmacist and ask him what side effects would one experience from a quinine overdose,he told me to get to the ER I didn't have an overdose I had quinine poisoning."I didn't get script filled there had some at home"I now have damaged nerves in both ears and only time will tell if the damage reverses.
I honestly feel that my pharmacist is as important as my team of DRs.I have gotten meds at big Pharmacy's and they have never explained the side effects or the nature of the med.They hand it to you,you sign a peice of paper and out the door.
My Pharmacy puts a flip top on my meds verse the safty caps since I have difficulty opening them.

[GravesLady]

Thanks for the great info. (Y)

I am sure it is helpful to many.

GL

[Demiguise]

Hooray if you're lucky enough to get that small town one to one
care. We live in a world of money. That's what modivates attn.
They scan script for log/Ins/side-effect print out/ & computer
does the alert/flag most of the time. Time of day & place will
determine if you get a thank you or a smile. Most states tell
Pharm's. not to consult/can't play MD/advise you to call MD abt
rx. If you ask why: have ofc contact us. They don't want combat
w/ doc for making a mistake 'they' (computer) found. It's like
any other Bs. Make friends & get service. This type Bs. can kill
you & almost did. I have a unique last name. A newbie tech was
there w/ a Pharm. w/ mind on next break. Afternoon rush, me sick
& traffic hour. Computer went down & couldn't process billing.
System couldn't compare rx's. Script was filled, my good-guy
arrived for work & we had a nice talk then I paid/left. Outcome,
old expired rx was put in bottle & labeled to someone else that
had a same 'first name'. Next day taken in for toxic poisoning
& a heart med that 'gave' me an attack. Labs & trace, found rx
bottle was pulled from toss shelf & 6 yrs expired. I learned
'only trust yourself'! I agree w/ bonding but I got the damage.
We're human but pills aren't a buddy-system. We all get busy. I
urge everyone to confirm verbally the rx. Ask for handout to
read before filling or don't. If sick, ask Pharm to confirm &
dbl-ck. I have exp-date off lrg-bottle hand written on label in
front of me. Always open bag if called in to ck-name & confirm
what MD called in. Fast call-in can turn Xanax into Zantac. I
use a chain so links can tell if out, where to send me or get
shipped over. We all dropped the ball. I was too sick to take a
min. & read label. Everyone felt bad but I want all to learn to
trust only yourself. Get script & take hm & surf net if able.
The prints they give you are vague & not from Co. I have a nice
Dr but also an envelope of never-filled scripts. Debate w/ doc
& you may break that bond. We have rotating people at phones/
desks/accents/trainees in all fields. I still use same pharmacy
& they take very close care of me now. Even the computer tells
them to. Bonding is good but only trust yourself. I'm glad this
topic was brought up. Pills are marked so net-ck discription.
*And buyer beware of mail-order/net offers.