Caution Ahead! Use Care When Stopping Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors, a Class of Medications Used for Dementia
Katie Mahan2024-12-17T17:09:24-08:00Ask The Pharmacist|
What is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor? How do they work? More than a mouthful, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) are the most commonly prescribed class of medications for cognitive decline in those with dementia, Parkinson’s-related dementia, and other degenerative brain disease. Acetylcholine, a chemical in our brain, is thought to play a [...]
Stopping Beta-Blockers After a Heart Attack
Katie Mahan2024-12-13T10:48:51-08:00Ask The Pharmacist|
Beta-Blockers (metoprolol, bisoprolol, propranolol, carvedilol) is a primary standard of care after a myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack. Patients tend to be on this medication lifelong thereafter to achieve better control of their heart rate, prevent further problems with irregular heartbeat, and have better restructuring of [...]
Inhaled Corticosteroids Keep Inflammation in Check and Help You Breathe Easy, While Albuterol Just Runs to the Rescue
Katie Mahan2024-12-13T10:40:22-08:00Ask The Pharmacist|
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the lungs, making it hard to breathe at times. While there’s no cure for asthma, millions of people live with it every day. According to the CDC, as of 2021, around 24 million people in the U.S. have asthma, and in 2020, [...]
Can Smartwatches Help People With Afib?
Katie Mahan2024-12-13T10:28:36-08:00Ask The Pharmacist|
Newer smartwatches aren’t just for your weather and step goals anymore - they may now be able to detect certain heart arrhythmias, including Afib. In this post, we will discuss what is Afib, what are the benefits and drawbacks of this new technology, and what an abnormal heart rhythm [...]
Burn, Baby, Burn? Not Anymore with These Heartburn Meds
Katie Mahan2024-10-01T13:37:01-07:00Ask The Pharmacist|
Understanding acid reflux and heartburn Heartburn is a common problem that causes a burning feeling in the chest. It happens when stomach acid goes back into the tube carrying food from the mouth to the stomach. When you swallow food, a muscle at the bottom of this tube relaxes [...]
COPD: What Inhaler Is Best For Me?
Katie Mahan2024-07-23T09:35:59-07:00Ask The Pharmacist, Blog|
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD accounts for most of the deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases, the sixth leading cause of death in the United States in 2021. Inhalers are the mainstay treatment for COPD and [...]
Why is There a Concern with NSAID Use and Heart Failure?
Katie Mahan2024-07-23T09:44:10-07:00Ask The Pharmacist, Blog|
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of two types of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers available in the United States when you have aches, pains, and inflammation. NSAIDs are commonly used with 30 million users worldwide daily. The two most commonly used NSAIDs OTC are ibuprofen (Advil) and [...]
What Should I Know About The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine?
Katie Mahan2024-05-16T11:12:08-07:00Ask The Pharmacist, Blog|
Question: I heard there are vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). What are they and who should get them? Answer: In 2023, the FDA approved two vaccines to protect adults from RSV. These vaccines help older adults and infants who could get very sick from RSV. Question: What should [...]
Opill- The Birth Control That is Available Over-the-Counter
Katie Mahan2024-05-15T14:41:00-07:00Ask The Pharmacist, Blog|
What is The Opill? The Opill is the first oral birth control pill approved by the FDA for over-the-counter use. The Opill is for birth control only, it does not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Barrier methods, such as condoms, must be used to prevent these diseases. The [...]
What a Bloody Mess! – Managing Minor Bleeds
Katie Mahan2024-05-15T14:26:22-07:00Ask The Pharmacist, Blog|
Minor bleeds are a common occurrence in everyday life for all age groups. Bleeding occurs when a blood vessel has been broken. It can also be a common side effect for patients who are on medications that thin the blood, also known as anticoagulants. Minor bleeds usually resolve quickly [...]