Talk To Your Pharmacist Before Self-Medicating

A few years ago, when I was working for a retail pharmacy chain, I noticed a nice couple checking out products in the vitamin section of the store. They seemed a little confused about the various choices, so I stepped out from behind the counter and asked if I could help them out.

The woman had a bottle of ferrous sulfate (iron) 65 mg tablets in her hand. She said that her doctor told her that she needed to supplement her diet with iron, and to take 325 mg three times daily until her next appointment. But, she also said that she found what she needed and didn't need my help, and began to walk away.

Sensing a serious error about to occur, I asked her how many tablets she was going to take each day? She turned around and told me 15 tablets - 5 tablets (325 mg) three times daily.

I can't tell you how relieved I was that I went out to talk with them.

Pharmacists know where I'm going with this, but many others may not. Sometimes the labeling on OTC (over-the-counter) and prescription products can be confusing. That's why, even when you don't think that you need to, YOU MUST TALK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST before self-medicating, and before taking any medications or supplements.

For the public, let me describe the potentially serious problem that was averted -

The doctor told the patient to take 325 mg of iron. But, what he actually meant was to take 325 mg of "ferrous sulfate", an iron supplement that contains 65 mg of "elemental" iron. The OTC bottle of iron that she had was labeled to show the amount of "elemental" iron per tablet. This nice lady thought she needed to take 5 X 65 mg in order to get 325 mg of "iron". If she hadn't talked to me beforehand, she would have taken FIVE TIMES the dose of iron that she was prescribed by the doctor.

Now, you may say to yourself, "that's no big deal, it's just a vitamin". But, that assumption would be a BIG MISTAKE. Iron is a very toxic supplement when overdosed, especially in children. Taking such a high dose of iron, and especially for a prolonged period of time, could have potentially been fatal. This couple thanked me profusely for my intervention.

So you see my friends, pharmacists ARE superheroes. We ARE able to use our powers for good, to save lives, and to make a difference in peoples' health care. But, maybe you've already heard of me.

FDA Approves NME Diet Pill

Hallucex targets the brain's cerebral cortex, stimulating the centers for fear and visual processing.

Dietary Supplement Or Antibiotic?

I'll always be able find worthy topics to post on The Cynical Pharmacist because if there's one thing that I'm sure about, it's that there will always be criminals looking to exploit innocent people in order to selfishly line their own pockets.

What do you see when you look at this picture?

I'm a pharmacist living close to the Mexican border and am familiar with a lot of Mexican drugs, and I would have thought that the two dietary products in the background were Amoxicillin at first glance. So does the FDA and the Texas Attorney General, who say these products amount to nothing more than deceptive advertising and unlawful marketing.

According to Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott whom filed suit -

According to state investigators, the defendants’ Amoxilina labels claim – in Spanish and English – that the dietary supplement is “without side effects and Naturally Combats Infection.” Multimex also prints a Spanish phrase on the back of the capsule membrane that states “(Cualidades Antibioticas Naturales)” – which means “Quality Natural Antibiotics.” Consumer complaints received by the Attorney General’s Office indicate that Spanish speaking parents purchased the supplement for children suffering from throat or ear infections because they believed that they were buying Amoxicillin.

The antibiotic, Amoxicilina, was once available in Mexico without a prescription. But it's not just the similarity between names alone. The deceitful marketing of Amoxilina, the lawsuit charges, included a two-toned, blue and white box that mimics the packaging of Amoxicillin - right down to the red letters used to display the product's 500mg strength.

The FDA initiated a recall after four children were taken to a Medical Center due to worsening illnesses after giving the dietary supplement delayed legitimate medical treatment.

Of course, it's being reported that Multimex owner Sandra Salazar says her company didn't intend to mislead customers. What do you think?

Retail stores and distributors should return the products to Multi-Mex, 4744-C North Royal Atlanta Drive, Tucker, Georgia, 30084. Consumers with questions may call at (678) 226-1758 (Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST).

Pour Me A Stiff One

There was a time when you'd ask your bartender to "pour me a stiff one" and the bartender would oblige you with a shot of whiskey.

Times have changed my friends.

Concerned about the family jewels, Scottish brewing company, Brew Dog, has announced a new beer made specifically for the Royal wedding.

It's called "Royal Virility Performance," and it's an India Pale Ale marketed as containing herbal Viagra, chocolate, goat weed and a "healthy dose of sarcasm."

Now, I know what you're thinking.

But, as any cynical pharmacist would tell you, Royal Virility Performance probably isn't laced with "actual" Viagra (sildenafil) because, like in the United States, sildenafil is a prescription product requiring a visit to your doctor first (or available from some pharmacists in the UK).

However, it may contain other OTC purported aphrodisiacs like Horny Goat Weed, chocolate, and even perhaps, an "analog" of sildenafil which hasn't been tested and approved for safety and efficacy by the people looking out for your health and welfare.

If so, that would put Royal Virility Performance in the same category as other unapproved liquid aphrodisiacs, like Magic Coffee, which could possibly cause serious harm, or even death. So, what I tell my patients is "why take the chance of something going wrong when a product is only "marketed" as, and not "proven" to be, an aphrodisiac?"

Be safe and don't buy into all of the bullshit. If you really need something OTC to put a little spice in your life, try something that has been "marketed" as an aphrodisiac, but has also been "proven" NOT to be harmful when taken as directed?

It's easy to find and not that expensive to buy. Stop by your local pharmacy and ask your pharmacist to point it out to you in the vitamin section.