Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Oct 6, 2014 15:02:02 GMT -5
If you were at Walgreens or CVS or some other store that had aisles of OTC medications and a pharmacy... would you ask the Pharmacist for help figuring out which OTC medication you needed for your cough or headache or cut finger or bug bite (that was kinda red and welty and that you had for two hours or more - so you weren't in immediate danger of an allergic reaction)?
You know kinda like how those 'feel good' commercials show the caring Pharmasist out from behind the counter explaining to a customer how to use Cough Syrup...
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ArchietheDragon
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Post by ArchietheDragon on Oct 6, 2014 15:02:42 GMT -5
yes.
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mollyanna58
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Post by mollyanna58 on Oct 6, 2014 15:04:32 GMT -5
Yes, I have asked a pharmacist for recommendations on OTC medicines.
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milee
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Post by milee on Oct 6, 2014 15:05:31 GMT -5
In theory yes. But around here especially during tourist season, you'd wait so long to talk to a pharmacist you'd be dead from that allergic reaction or infected finger before you'd lay eyes on that friendly pharmacist.
(That's my way of saying I'd trust a pharmacist's answer, but around here the pharmacists are always so busy that the wait to actually get to talk to one would be totally unappealing.)
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lexxy703
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Post by lexxy703 on Oct 6, 2014 15:11:47 GMT -5
I doubt I'd bother. I'd just pick something. Like Milee said I'd probably be dead before I got to see the pharmacist.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Oct 6, 2014 15:29:10 GMT -5
How do those conversations go? Do you bring up the other medications you are taking cause you are concerned about drug interactions OR are you just trying to decide which decongestant to take for your stuffy nose/allergies or if you really need benedryl with a painreliever versus just straight benedryl for that bug bite?
IF you aren't concerned about interations with the other medications you are taking... what kind of knowledge does the pharmacist have that you can't figure out from looking at the box/packaging of the product you need? I know there's probably 20 different varieties of pain relievers and cough suppressants and whatever else.. but it can't be that hard to figure out which pain reliever you need... or that you don't need the night time benedryl with cough suppressant and fever reducer for your itchy bug bite...
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Pants
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Post by Pants on Oct 6, 2014 15:29:20 GMT -5
I've asked pharmacists questions about OTC meds. But only if it was something I couldn't figure out myself (like the time I had an awful cold and needed the "good kind" of cold meds that they keep behind the counter that's full of stimulants, but wanted to know if there was one that wouldn't make me stay awake all night long...)
Otherwise I just read the labels.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Oct 6, 2014 15:30:15 GMT -5
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Oct 6, 2014 15:34:42 GMT -5
I've pulled the pharmacist aside before when I didn't have a chance to look something up on the internet (no smart phone for me). I've been pregnant or breastfeeding since January 2011, so it's usually related to what I can safely take to reduce cold symptoms having those issues. They've been very helpful.
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Malarky
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Post by Malarky on Oct 6, 2014 15:37:34 GMT -5
I knew Swamp would weigh in. Even though I don't know Swamp's DH, I do ask my pharmacist questions. If I'm sensitive/allergic to A or B, what are the likely side effects? How many hours does it typically take for X medication to wear off? I'm going to a wedding on Saturday, if I have a drink, what are the likely repercussions. Three of my friends have "oops" babies because they didn't realize that alcohol + antibiotics needs condoms.
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ArchietheDragon
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Post by ArchietheDragon on Oct 6, 2014 15:38:16 GMT -5
Those bastards get paid a lot of money to count pills. God forbid they help out customers, too.
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Oct 6, 2014 15:39:45 GMT -5
I always ask my pharmacist. If he won't answer me, no blow jobs for him. Come to think of it, I think I've asked your pharmacist too.
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milee
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Post by milee on Oct 6, 2014 15:42:50 GMT -5
Three of my friends have "oops" babies because they didn't realize that alcohol + antibiotics needs condoms. Um, if you count me as at least an online friend, you actually have four friends that have "oops" babies because they didn't realize alcohol+antibiotics needs condoms.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Oct 6, 2014 15:43:04 GMT -5
I always ask my pharmacist. If he won't answer me, no blow jobs for him. Atta girl.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Oct 6, 2014 15:44:19 GMT -5
I have asked before and the pharmacist was helpful in me selecting the right product.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Oct 6, 2014 15:46:25 GMT -5
I work for pharmacists. I find them extremely helpful.
I found my boss extremely helpful when I had heartburn during pregnancy. The standard line from nurses is you cannot take ANYTHING beyond Tums because they don't want their butts sued if you don't follow directions. My boss said all I was doing was eating chalk and explained to me which OTC heartburn meds are safe to take while pregnant.
I will ask the pharmacist at Walgreen's or Medicap about birth control interference if I need a scrip. Last time I asked my doctor her response was "I don't know". Gee thanks.
We've also asked pharmacists about OTC meds for the kids and proper dosages.
I look at it this way after talking to one of my summer students. Doctors take 1-2 seminars on drugs and drug interactions in their four+ years of schooling. Pharmacists that's ALL they study for four years. So which one is going to have more current and useful knowledge on the subject?
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Oct 6, 2014 15:46:50 GMT -5
I've never asked my actual pharmacist and by the time I think of something to ask, they're closed and I ask Swamp's.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Oct 6, 2014 16:35:58 GMT -5
I always ask my pharmacist. If he won't answer me, no blow jobs for him. Come to think of it, I think I've asked your pharmacist too. Did he answer?? Lol
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Oct 6, 2014 16:38:59 GMT -5
I have asked my pharmacist questions. A close friend is a pharmacist so I ask her questions or she'll suggest something if we have a conversation about random stuff like bowel movements.
I SAID we were close friends.
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Oct 6, 2014 17:04:11 GMT -5
Yes - I ask the pharmacist for advice/recommendations for OTC meds once in a while.
I also recently consulted her about a heat/ice wrap when I had a pinched nerve in my lower back. She showed me a really good gel-filled one that wrapd around and fastens like a belt. It can be heated in the microwave or chilled in the freezer before applying. I wouldn't have even noticed it down on the lower shelf if she hadn't pointed it out to me and then described how it works.
They're there to help, even for things in the pharmacy that are on the shelves - not just for filling prescrips in the dispensary.
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Nazgul Girl
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Post by Nazgul Girl on Oct 6, 2014 17:10:59 GMT -5
Our local pharmacists are very helpful. I've asked them many questions, including what OTC's can be combined or substituted for prescription meds not covered by my prescription benefits formulary. The one I remember the most was for a tiny bottle of some stuff which helped extremely dry feet, cost $ 60, and wasn't covered by my prescription benefit plan. The pharmacist came out from behind the counter, and showed me a big bottle that cost $ 18, and compared the ingredients in each product. They were exactly the same, including the strength. He was so very nice.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2014 17:35:23 GMT -5
I haven't recently but I do remember asking one what she recommended for my 4-year old whose best friend at daycare had developed lice. Yeah, DS had them, too. No biggie.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Oct 6, 2014 17:52:45 GMT -5
I would absolutely ask my pharmacist. I trust her more than my doctor because I've had doctors prescribe meds that should not be taken together that could have killed me.
And she's my neighbor and I love her and feel very comfortable talking to her. But even if she wasn't I'd still trust a pharmacist over the doctor.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2014 17:54:14 GMT -5
I ask my pharmacist stuff all the time. They actually like to help. At least, that's what my daughter says. She is a Walmart pharmacist, but not my pharmacist.
One time DH was bleeding (he takes meds that aggravate that) so he stopped at Walgreen's to buy something to bandage it. The pharmacist personally bandaged him.
He wrote a nice thank-you for that to corporate.
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Sunnyday
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Post by Sunnyday on Oct 6, 2014 22:54:18 GMT -5
Yes, but I've lived in countries where pharmacists almost act like doctors. You could describe your symptoms to them, and they would suggest something or tell you if it's serious enough to go in to see a real doctor. I'm so used to doing that, I think that I almost abuse it here where that kind of thing might not be so common.
I go to a higher priced pharmacy here because the quality of advice and customer care is so much superior than what I get at the pharmacies in big box stores.
Pharmacists are catching on, and now they are creating services for medication management and other health care management services. Basically, the pharmacists has a session (paying) and they help you understand your health condition and counsel you. They even have little offices in some pharmacies for private consultation.
I'm all for it, because I couldn't pick my doctor out of a line up if I tried, given how short our face-to-face time is.
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msventoux
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Post by msventoux on Oct 6, 2014 23:44:29 GMT -5
I'm not really on any prescription meds and research any OTC drugs I take so I don't have any questions to ask. If I did have questions I wouldn't have a problem asking the pharmacist.
I wish more people would ask them questions. It seems almost every time I'm in the drug aisle it's because I'm so sick I can hardly see straight and some guy comes up and starts asking me what type of diaper cream or kids cold medicine they should get. I have no idea, I don't have kids...if you don't want to call your wife/girlfriend then go ask the pharmacist!
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Oct 7, 2014 0:11:02 GMT -5
I've never felt compelled to ask a pharmacist about anything. I'm too macho.
But seriously, if I'm getting a prescription the doc has already told me what to do. If I'm getting OTC medicine, the directions are on the box, it's not rocket science.
I'm not regularly taking any medication and have no allergic reactions to medicine I'm aware of, so as far as I know, I can take any OTC medicine with impunity.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Oct 7, 2014 0:13:12 GMT -5
I always talk to the pharmacists cause my meds are all screwy as all hell. Take this one on an empty stomach, but not before that one turns two shades of purple.
I got them on speed dial.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Oct 7, 2014 6:57:01 GMT -5
Yep, if I'm stuck or confused in the OTC aisle and there aren't huge lines, I'll ask. I'm not waiting though 4 people at the "help window" for OTC meds though.
The folks at my Target are really helpful. I'm not sure if I'm getting the pharmacist or not though - I'm generally asking " do you carry X or something similar? Where?"
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2014 7:06:59 GMT -5
Our local pharmacists are very helpful. I've asked them many questions, including what OTC's can be combined or substituted for prescription meds not covered by my prescription benefits formulary. The one I remember the most was for a tiny bottle of some stuff which helped extremely dry feet, cost $ 60, and wasn't covered by my prescription benefit plan. The pharmacist came out from behind the counter, and showed me a big bottle that cost $ 18, and compared the ingredients in each product. They were exactly the same, including the strength. He was so very nice. yup, DS had some funky spot thing on his neck (caused by sweat) and the doctor gave him some prescription for a cream that was going to be several hundred dollars. The pharmacist suggested I try a regular anti-fungal and then if that didn't work go to the prescription.
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