Copper Chemist

When you enter a Pharmacy or Drugstore with a Prescription, 💊 value your Health and Ask for a Pharmacy personnel. If there is no Pharmacy personnel, go to the next pharmacy. It ends in Tears

CASE OF DRUG MISUSE

Bana Mutale (not real name) comes to the pharmacy and narrates: "I gave my 1year 6months old son 5ml of Paracetamol(Panado) syrup but the fever persisted so I decided to give half of the paracetamol tablet I have at home. The fever subsided for sometime but at night he became very hot again, I had to give 1 full tab".

Reply:

It's important to know that fever by itself is not an illness — it's usually a sign or symptom of another problem. Fevers can be caused by a few things, e.g infection immunization etc.

Fever that is not responding to the usual dose of paracetamol for your child is a sign that something (beyond what Panado can handle) is wrong. Continuously increasing and using higher doses is not likely to take away the fever, rather you are exposing the child to the dangers of overdose which can cause Severe Acute Liver damage.

If you observe such persistent fever, that has lasted more than 24hrs-48hrs, kindly seek medical attention. Suppressing the fever with more doses of Panado or other pain medicines can also make the underlining condition get worse.
For more guidance, always talk to your Pharmacist.

Stay safe! Your Child's Health,Our Priority!

Your Caring Pharmacist.

10 MEDICATION TIPS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

1 Paracetamol work faster on an empty stomach.

2 Antimalarial meds (Artemether/lumefantrine- Coartem, Lonart) works better when taken with oily/Fat food.

3 Pain Relievers (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Piroxicam) shouldn't be used on an empty stomach.

4. Corticosteroids (eg Prednisolone, Dexamethasone) increases blood sugar & shouldn't be taken by diabetic patients unless prescribed by your doctor (when taken, the blood sugar should be seriously monitored).

5. Corticosteroids can negatively interacts with birth control pills, talk to your Pharmacist.

6. 6. If you are taking an Antacid (Gaviscon, MMT, Polygel, Relcer gel etc) & another medication, take the Antacid at least 2-3 hours before or after taking the drug.

7. Take Antibiotics (especially Ciprofloxacin, Tetracycline) 3 hours before or 4hrs after taking an antacid.

8. Tetracycline isn't safe for pregnant Women as it can HARM the FETUS.

If you are pregnant or have plans of becoming pregnant while taking tetracycline, consult your doctor.

Same thing applies to Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, Ofloxacin.

9. Folic acid & Vitamin B Complex are very important for women of child bearing age, in pregnant women it is very essential.
It helps prevent serious birth defects.

10. Always consult your doctor or Pharmacist before taking any Medication bcos Dead Men tells No stories.

Your Caring Pharmacist.

A PHARMACY WITHOUT A PHARMACISTS IS SIMPLY A SHOP OR A SUPERMARKET.

The difference can mean DEATH or SERIOUS ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS.

If a patient goes in to a pharmacy, they expect, and rightly so, that a Pharmacist—an expert in medicines use and minor ailments—will be there and ready to help them in any way they need.

Always Ask for a Pharmacist.

Your Caring Pharmacist.