Advice from your Pharmacist

Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) - OTC Pain Reliever and Fever Reducer
Take it seriously, take it safely...
Anemia Medicines Warnings
New safety warnings for EPO, Procrit, and other anemia medicines in cancer patients...
Cholesterol Medicines - Vytorin and Zetia
Media buzz causes unnecessary concern for patients taking these medicines...
Cough-Cold Medicines in Children
Not recommended for children under 2 years of age...
Generic Medicines FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions about generics...
Heparin shortage
Why is there a shortage and what's being done about it?...
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
A new vaccine to prevent some types of cervical cancer in girls and young women...
Lyrica for Fibromyalgia
Is it helpful?...
New Medicine for Weight Loss
What you need to know about orlistat (alli)...
Prescription Drug Ads
Be a smart shopper...
Rx vs OTC
Why do some medicines change from prescription (Rx) to over-the-counter (OTC) status?...
Sleep Medicines - Do You Need Them?
Improve your chances of sleeping well without medicines...

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 taking the blood thinner medicine, warfarin
Tablets have new shape but same color scheme...
If you need the bowel cleansing preparation, Fleets Phosphosoda...
It is now stocked behind the counter at Kaiser Permanente pharmacies...
If you are cutting tablets in half
Learn more about the "do's" and "don'ts"...
If you are taking diabetes medicines - Glyburide or Tolazamide
You may receive a medicine called glipizide instead...
If you are taking Effexor XR
You may receive generic venlafaxine IR instead...
If you are taking the laxative medicine - Miralax
You may now purchase it over-the-counter without a prescription...
If you are using Procrit injection
Your dose may change...
If you are taking sleep medicines - Ambien CR or Lunesta
You may receive zolpidem (generic Ambien) instead...

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.

Spring into Against Allergies

Get the Facts about Allergy Medicines

Avoid your Allergy Triggers

Evite los desencadenantes de su alergia

Tips for Using Anti-inflammatory Nose Sprays

Aerosoles nasales antinflamatories

NEWS! Cetrizine (Zyrtec) Now Available Over-the-Counter! This well-known allergy medicine, advertised for treating indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms, recently switched from prescription to over-the-counter (OTC) status. Prescription Zyrtec is no longer available. The good news for consumers is that Zyrtec products are now conveniently available to purchase in pharmacies as both brand name Zyrtec and generic cetirizine in the original prescription strengths.

For more information about seasonal allergies:
-Kaiser Permanente Health Encyclopedia at kp.org
-Kaiser Permanente Healthwise Handbook - Allergies

Additional resources:
-National Allergy Bureau
-US National Institutes of Health

Disclaimer
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