Welcome to DrugDirectory.info - Information on Generic perscription drugs

Don't pass up this valuable source of information.

Mr. Feel N. Sick shuffles into his neighborhood pharmacy on Saturday afternoon. He aches all over, and he didn't get any sleep the night before because of his stuffy nose and headache. He doesn't want to spend another night like that. He decides to get a liquid nighttime cold medicine to relieve his symptoms and help him sleep.

Mr. Sick didn't call his regular doctor for advice because, after all, it's just a cold. He didn't call his diabetes nurse educator because his diabetes control is fine. Luckily for Mr. Sick, another member of his health-care team is about to help him.

Mr. Sick's pharmacist tells him that the cold remedy he's thinking of buying contains 25 percent alcohol--equivalent to a 50 proof beverage. The alcohol could interact with the oral medication Mr. Sick uses to control his diabetes, which could cause changes in his blood glucose levels.

After asking several questions about Mr. Sick's symptoms, his pharmacist recommends a different over-the-counter medicine--one that will relieve Mr. Sick's cold symptoms without relieving him of his blood glucose control.

Waiting--With Reason

Mr. Sick just tapped into a wealth of knowledge he never knew existed. Maybe you didn't either. But as you learn more about pharmacists, you'll realize the important part they can play in your health care.

Pharmacists are highly-trained professionals who must know about the chemistry of products they dispense and what impact--both good and bad--these medications have upon body systems. A pharmacist has at least a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy (5 years of study) or a doctor of pharmacy degree (PharmD), which takes an additional 1 to 2 years of study. To become licensed, a graduate pharmacist must work for a time with practicing pharmacists. The graduate then sits for the state board exam and proves his or her knowledge of medications, professional responsibility, and the law.

When you go into your community pharmacy, do you sometimes wonder what the pharmacist is doing once you hand the prescription over to get it filled? Why does it take so l-o-n-g?

Filling a prescription is not as simple as pouring medicine from a big container into a smaller one, slapping a label on it, and giving it to the clerk. Judgment and care go into the dispensing process.

First the pharmacist screens the prescription to make sure that the dosage prescribed is well within the usual range--not too much or too little. The pharmacist gets a medication history from you to be certain that you aren't allergic to any ingredient in the medication. Then the pharmacist reviews your medication profile to see if any of the medications you currently take might possibly interact with your new perscription. A drug interaction is an unwanted effect that occurs when you take two or more medications. You don't have to swallow the medications at the same time to get a drug interaction. A medication you take in the morning could interact with one you take at noon.

For example, Mary has asthma and takes a certain medication twice a day. She develops an upper respiratory infection, and her doctor prescribes a certain antibiotic. When she takes the prescription to be filled, her pharmacist notes a potential drug-drug interaction: This particular antibiotic will interfere with her asthma medication. Mary might experience side effects, such as an upset stomach. The pharmacist calls the doctor, and the doctor changes the prescription to a different antibiotic.

If everything is correct, the pharmacist will determine which product to dispense. Some medications are available as "generics." These products contain the same active ingredients as the pioneer drug, that is, the name-brand drug that was on the market first. Generics must meet the same strict standards for the Food and Drug Administration's Good Manufacturing Practice regulations as are required for pioneer drugs.

Many generic drugs are also bioequivalent to pioneer drugs. Bioequivalent means that the pioneer and generic product will have similar characteristics, such as how fast they dissolve in your stomach and how quickly the drug enters your blood-stream. Bioequivalent generic products can be given as a substitute for the more expensive pioneer agents.

Now the pharmacist labels the prescription, as required by law. There is valuable information on the label: the prescription number, so that the original prescription is traceable for refills; the number of refills you have remaining, so that you know when to visit your doctor for a check-up; the name and manufacturer of the product dispensed; the quantity dispensed; and the directions. Pharmacists often add extra labels such as SHAKE WELL or REFRIGERATE.

Finally, the prescription is in your hands. Aren't you glad you waited?

More Than Pills

Pharmacists do more for you than fill your prescriptions. They alert you to the potential common or severe side effects of any drug you are going to take. With that information, you can assume a more active role in your health care, because you'll know what to look for.

If you start to experience any symptoms that could be side effects, don't simply stop taking the medication--call your pharmacist or doctor. They'll tell you if you should be concerned and what to do.

Your pharmacist will alert you to any drug-drug or drug-food interactions. For example, if you have a prescription for the antibiotic tetracycline, your pharmacist will tell you not to eat or drink milk products or use other products that contain calcium (some antacids), because the calcium will bind with the drug and limit its effectiveness.

Some pharmacists offer special services such as mailing reminders for refills. Some have a special area for diabetes education, and many carry diabetes equipment and supplies.

Whenever you need to ask a question about medications, devices, or equipment, just tell the person at the counter that you would like to speak to the pharmacist. Many pharmacies have private areas or a place to step aside so that you can have some privacy when discussing your personal issues. It may be wise to call the pharmacist in advance to ask for a convenient time to discuss your concerns if you have a lot of questions.

Pharmacists can help you obtain a refill on your medication when you are traveling. The pharmacist at your vacation spot can phone the pharmacy in which you had the original order filled to obtain the information needed to fill your prescription when you're out of town.

It's unlikely, however, that the pharmacist would fill a prescription for a controlled substance such as a narcotic unless the pharmacist had the original prescription and could verify it with the doctor who prescribed it. Whenever you travel out of state or for a considerable length of time, it's wise to ask your doctor for extra written prescriptions that you can carry with you and have filled as needed.

Help Them Help You

Your pharmacist is a valuable member of your health-care team, and you can help your pharmacist provide you with better service.

The most important step is to choose a pharmacy you like dealing with and then to stick with it. To help you, the pharmacist needs to maintain an accurate, up-to-date profile of your medical history, allergies, and medications. If you move from pharmacy to pharmacy, then no one pharmacist will have all of the information needed to screen your medication regimens. Shop around for the best prices but don't forget about finding a place that has the pharmacist who provides you with the best service.

Ask questions. When you are concerned about symptoms, possible side effects of your medications, when to take a missed dose, or how to store your medications, call your pharmacist. He or she can help you with advice, by making a product recommendation, or by referring you to your doctor for a thorough work-up.