Your pharmacist is a valuable source of information and wants to help you. They can help you figure out which medications to take and which ones can interact with other things, but they also have other knowledge to share.
Consider these things that they wish you knew:
1. Feel free to ask about the ads you see. Your pharmacist will be glad to discuss the health ads you see online or on TV.
* They understand you may be curious about the medications you see in advertisements, but your doctor may not have the time to address your concerns.
* Your pharmacist can help you by discussing the new drugs and directing you to legitimate, verified sources of information. They can help you figure out if a drug is right for you.
2. Share all the medications and supplements you take. It’s hard to keep track of all the things you take each day. It will benefit you to keep a careful, updated list and give a copy to your pharmacist whenever you make a change.
* It’s important for your pharmacist to know all of these medications and supplements. This is because they can interact with each other and hurt you. They can also make other drugs less effective and prevent you from benefiting from your prescriptions.
* Your pharmacist needs to know about every prescription, herb, vitamin, or mineral you use.
3. Save money by getting vaccines and flu shots at a pharmacy. In many parts of the country, you can get flu shots at a pharmacy. However, did you know that they can also give you a vaccine?
* Some pharmacies are able to give you vaccines such as Hepatitis A or B.
* You can save money and time by visiting your pharmacist instead of your doctor. Your bill may be lower, and you probably won’t have a long waiting time.
4. It’s also important to be careful with OTC medications. Your pharmacist wishes you were more careful about OTC, or over-the-counter medications.
* Over-the-counter medications can interact with each other and prescriptions.
* They can also cause liver damage and other issues if taken with alcohol. In some cases, overdoses are possible that can put you in the hospital.
* Your pharmacist wants to talk to you about your over-the-counter medications and ensure they’re safe. They’re ready to help you pick the most effective ones and the best dosages for you. They can clear up confusion about ingredients.
* Your pharmacist can help you figure out how often to take OTC drugs.
5. Your privacy matters. Your pharmacist will keep your information private. You don’t have to worry about sharing things with them. They’re obligated to keep your data safe and won’t discuss it with strangers.
* However, they may need to talk to your doctor about your concerns. This is normal and will actually help you. Your pharmacist may call your doctor and asks questions about the drugs you’re taking. In most cases, this is to ensure they’re not interacting with each other or to check on the dosages. They may also need to call your insurance.
It will benefit you to get to know your pharmacist and talk about your medications. They can help answer your questions, guide you, and reassure you. They can also be a powerful source of knowledge that can be very important for your health.
