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David Sobel, MD 

Advice from your Pharmacist

Medications in the NEWS

Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) - OTC Pain Reliever and Fever Reducer
Take it seriously, take it safely...
Cholesterol Medicines - Vytorin and Zetia
Media buzz causes unnecessary concern about these medicines...
Cough-Cold Medicines in Children
"Do Not Use" recommendations extend to children under 4 years of age...
Generic Drugs FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions about generics...
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
Vaccine to prevent some types of cervical cancer in girls and young women...
Inhaler Medicines for COPD
Do they raise the risk of heart problems?
Lyrica for Fibromyalgia
Is it helpful?...
Prescription Drug Ads
Be a smart shopper...
Rx vs OTC
When medicines change from prescription (Rx) to over-the-counter (OTC) status?...
Sleep Medicines - Do You Need Them?
How to sleep well without medicines...
Understanding your Medication
Tips for knowing about the medications you are taking...

Medication CHANGES

If you are using albuterol (CFC) inhaler for asthma or other breathing problems
You will receive albuterol (HFA) inhaler instead...
Albuterol HFA inhaler - Go Green and Keep it Clean
Cleaning and priming instructions
Inhaladores de albuterol con HFA: no dañan el medio Ambiente
Instrucciones de preparación y limpieza
If you are taking blood pressure medicines - Nifedipine XL or Felodipine
You may receive amlodipine (generic Norvasc) instead...
If you are cutting tablets in half
Learn more about the "do's" and "don'ts"...
Effexor XR to venlafaxine ER
You may receive generic venlafaxine ER instead...
Fosamax D to alendronate
You may receive generic alendronate instead...
If you are taking sleep medicines - Ambien CR or Lunesta
You may receive zolpidem (generic Ambien) instead...

Medications for ALLERGY Season

The information presented here is about selected medicines. For more information about these or other medicines, please see the Drug Encyclopedia at kp.org. You may also speak with a pharmacist at your local Kaiser Permanente facility.

Welcome Spring Flowers
Get the facts about allergy relief medicines...

How to avoid your Allergy Triggers
Avoid pollens and other things that cause...ah-choo!

Tips for using anti-inflammatory nasal sprays
Daily use provides greatest benefit in managing allergies...

NEWS!

Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is Stocked Behind-the-Counter! Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant used in cough-cold and allergy medicines to help clear stuffy, blocked noses. A federal law enacted several years ago requires non-prescription products with pseudoephedrine to be stocked behind-the-counter. The law also limits the amount a consumer may purchase. Pseudoephedrine in large amounts can be used to make the illegal drug methamphetamine. An alternative decongestant, phenylephrine (Sudafed PE) is available over-the-counter. Ask your pharmacist for more information.

For more information about seasonal allergies, please check out these resources:
-Kaiser Permanente Member Web Site: url http://www.kp.org -Featured Health Topics-Allergies
-Kaiser Permanente Healthwise Handbook - Allergies
-National Allergy Bureau: url http://www.aaaai.org/patients.stm

 


Disclaimer
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