Archive for the ‘Prescription Drug Care’ Category

More Drugs Have Adverse Reaction to Grapefruit. Are you at risk?

Posted by on November 27th, 2012

“Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice,” has been a common warning from pharmacists to their patients, but a recent study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal is warning that because of new chemical formulations, the number of prescription drugs that have harmful interaction with grapefruit have more than doubled since 2008.

The study notes that people over 45 are at the highest risk for two reasons: they’re the highest consumers of grapefruit juice and they’re more likely to be taking medications for a range of illnesses.

The reason mixing grapefruit and prescription medication can have adverse affects is because of a chemical called furanocoumarin. It acts like an enzyme in the stomach and can change the potency of medication and how it works. A small amount of grapefruit, even ingested hours before taking the medications, can increase the amount of the drug metabolized, which is like taking many doses at once and can lead to the same reaction the body would have if it was overdosing on a drug.

Limes and some oranges also contain furanocoumarin.

According to the report, drugs that can interact with grapefruit include:

  • Certain cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, such as Zocor (simvastatin), Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Pravachol (pravastatin),
  • Some blood pressure-lowering drugs, such as nifedipine (Nifediac and Afeditab),
  • Organ transplant rejection drugs, such as cyclosporine (Sandimmune and Neoral),
  • Certain cardiovascular drugs, such as amiodarone (Cordarone and Nexterone), clopidogrel and apixaban.

It’s important to be aware of food and drink interactions with your prescription medication. Always talk to your doctor, or Ask a Pharmacist here at CanadaDrugs.com if you ever have any questions about any of your prescriptions. Our team is here to help. It’s not just grapefruit that reacts with some medication. Even milk can change how certain drugs work.

Always be aware of each of the drugs you are taking and how they work. A little knowledge can go a long way to making sure that your health is looked after.

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Now is the time to prepare for Medicare open enrollment season

Posted by on October 5th, 2012

Medicare’s open enrollment comes early this year, Oct. 15, and lasts longer, until Dec. 7, but it’s best to start thinking and planning your Medicare strategy as soon as possible to make sure you find the best plan that fits your needs. Unlike the past several years, there are relatively few changes to Medicare rules for 2013. But because your individual plan or your circumstances might be changing, you should still take a close look at your coverage options during the enrollment period.

Fox Business News published a good general overview of some of the small changes that are coming this year to the Medicare system.

In terms of Medicare Part D and prescription drug coverage, we encourage you to give CanadaDrugs.com a call and ask to speak to someone on our Medicare Team. We’ve got trained Patient Service Representatives that are here to work through your drug bills, and find the best way to maximize your savings. In the past, we’ve seen that smart purchasing direct from CanadaDrugs.com, combined with enrollment in a Medicare Plan can add up to maximized savings.

Seven of the top 10 Medicare-D plans will have double-digit percentage increases next year, according to Avalere Health, a healthcare consulting and research company. This increase in premiums will drive up drug spending for seniors. With the rising cost of enrollment plans, it’s important to find one that works best for you. A low premium may not be the best deal if the plan doesn’t cover your particular drugs, or if the co-pays are higher. Every plan is different, so this is the time to shop around, and CanadaDrugs.com is here to help you maximize your savings in 2013.

The Affordable Care Act is gradually closing the prescription drug “donut hole” – the nearly $4,000 gap where seniors have to cover 100 percent of their costs. In 2013, the gap starts when spending hits $2,970 and then coverage resumes when it reaches the “catastrophic” level of $6,733. CanadaDrugs.com direct cash savings are a real help when your trapped in that doughnut hole and don’t expect to reach the “catastrophic” level.

Shop around during enrollment season and find out which plan balances cost, coverage and flexibility for your prescription drug needs.

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Mental Health Costs to Explode for American Seniors

Posted by on July 27th, 2012

Getting older does not just mean an increased risk for chronic conditions like heart disease, arthritis, and other ailments: A new study warns that as many as 1 in 5 American seniors have a mental health issue.

This burgeoning mental health crisis threatens to overwhelm the U.S medical system as the baby boomer population ages over the next two decades. Millions of seniors risk falling through the cracks, unable to access heath care and services for mental health problems because the United States lacks a healthcare infrastructure of trained professionals to handle mental health issues.

The cost of medication to treat depression, dementia and other of the common mental health disorders in seniors will also be a burden on seniors and their caregivers struggling to pay for these costly medications.

At least 5.6 million to 8 million Americans age 65 and older have a mental health condition or substance abuse disorder currently and the Institute of Medicine report believes that this number will double or triple by 2030. Meeting the growing needs of the elderly will require a coordinated effort among government agencies, professional societies, providers and even family caregivers, the IOM report said.

If elderly people are not treated promptly and properly for mental health problems and substance misuse, their health outcomes worsen and the overall economic burden is significantly greater. If an elderly patient with depression is not treated for his/her mental condition, they are more likely to forget to take medications for other conditions they may have, such as hypertension or heart disease, and diabetes, resulting in longer and more frequent, costly hospital stays.

Solutions to this mental health crisis involve expanded training of primary care givers that seniors first contact with the health system. Physicians, nurses, physicians’ assistants and social workers that see seniors should have basic mental health training to recognize signs of geriatric mental health problems and be able to put in place treatment solutions early.  Medicare and Medicaid also need to be changed to better reflect the treatment options for mental health conditions.

In terms of drug costs, online Canadian Pharmacies, like CanadaDrugs.com offer seniors and their caregivers that are taking drugs for depression or dementia a lower cost option.

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April 28th is National Prescription Take-Back Day

Posted by on April 27th, 2012

Safe Drug DisposalThe Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is again hosting a National Prescription Drug Take Back day at locations around the United States. To find the location closest to your home simple visit the www.takebackyourmeds.org website and type in your location here, they also have a Facebook page where you can learn more about the event.

Last year at 5550 take-back sites in all 50 states over 377,000 pounds of unwanted or expired medication was turned in for proper and safe disposal.

A survey done in conjunction with this years event revealed that over 57% of American adults dispose of their prescription medication improperly by throwing them out in the trash or flushing them down the toilet or drain. The survey also found that 35% of American adults said yes to having prescription medication in their home they are not using and 21% admitted to having expired medication. Over 84% of those that reported that had recently disposed of medication improperly did say in the survey that they would be willing to return medication to a pharmacy or local waste management program if they were better informed of how to go about it.

Safe disposal is important because it reduces drug abuse. A lot of prescription drug abuse amongst teens involves unwanted and forgotten about drugs that they take from family for use or resale. Proper disposal also reduces accidental poisoning. Over half of calls to poison control centres concern children who have taken prescription medication left improperly stored at home. Finally, safe disposal of medication reduces the harmful effects that it has the environment.

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Air Travel and Prescription Medications. A Common Question.

Posted by on February 23rd, 2011

A frequent question that our team of Canada Drugs pharmacists often get over the phone and through our Ask a Pharmacist online tool concerns questions about traveling by air with medication and any precautions that need to be taken when flying with medication.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the government agency in control of implementing and enforcing security measures for airlines and airports and their suggestions for flying with medication are found on their website in detail here . A quick run down of their tips are below.

  • Pack extra medicine and supplies when traveling in case you are away from home longer than you expect or there are travel delays.
  • Carry a copy of your prescriptions in your carry-on, purse, or wallet when you travel.
  • Remember that prescription medications are allowed in carry-on bags, with some restrictions. Prescriptions must be in their original pharmacy container labeled with the name of the passenger. Be sure that the name is the same as on your ticket. Don’t combine your medications into one bottle; take each type of medication in its own labeled bottle. Place all medications in a plastic bag for ease during security screening.
  • If you are taking injectable medications (e.g., Fuzeon, insulin, testosterone) you must have the medication along with you in order to carry empty syringes.
  • Do not remove syringes or medicines from the original packaging with printed labels and manufacturer’s information. Packaging is a good way to help airport security identify your medicines. Opening packages or taking pills out of their prescription bottles will delay your time in security.
  • Show copies of your prescriptions and/or your medication bottles you have in your carry-on when you present to airport security. If you have any problems ask to see a supervisor.
  • You can ask and are entitled to a private screening to maintain your confidentiality.
  • In response to security issues at your departure site and destination site, travel restrictions can change often. Arrange 2 to 3 hours before your flight in order to pass through security in plenty of time.
  • With recent security concerns, the amount of liquids you are allowed to carry-on is limited and in some cases prohibited. Liquids, gels, and aerosol preparations are allowed as long as these are in 3-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are partially full are not permitted. All liquids, gels, and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Each traveler can use only one plastic bag. These bags must be removed from carry-on baggage and placed in a bin or on the conveyor belt for x-ray screening.
  • In some cases, the airline may ask the on-board staff to store your medicines and syringes during flight. Keep your medicines, syringes, and supplies together in a carry-on case or travel case to make passing them to and from the flight staff easier with less chance of losing medications or supplies.
  • If traveling abroad, become familiar with the laws, restrictions, and requirements of the countries you are traveling to. The US requires all passengers to declare medicines and syringes when traveling abroad.
  • Contact your airline if you need special assistance with transportation or other medical needs prior to boarding. Airlines are still responsible for offering assistance to passengers with extra needs. The TSA security officer’s job is limited to assistance with security screening. Ask the airline for a gate pass so that your companion or caretaker can accompany you to the gate if necessary.

Another question we get quite often about travel from our patients deals with having medications shipped to another address different than the home address supplied when placing the original prescription order. For those of our patients who winter away from home, or are taking extended vacations, we can have your order sent to your vacation home very easily. Just advise our Patient Service Representative when placing your order or refill and we can have your order sent to another address.

Happy Traveling!

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