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Cough and Colds Medications
Q : What is the difference between the flu and a cold ?
A : Colds and flu are viral infections which can cause symptoms such as coughing and a sore throat. A cold is a minor viral infection of the nose and throat. The flu, however, is usually more severe, with higher fevers and the addition of aches and pains.
Q : What should we know before taking the colds and flu medication called Antihistamines ?
A : First, you must know whether the antihistamines prescribed to you will cause drowsiness or not, as this may potentially dangerous if you are going to drive or operate any machinery. Second, let your pharmacist knows what other medications you are taking as some drug interactions with non-drowsy group of antihistamines are fatal.
Q : In what conditions a person needs to see the doctor immediately for having colds and flu ?
A : You should see your doctor immediately when:
- a cough becomes persistent or the phlegm becomes green or yellow.
- having sore ears as well.
- having high temperature that won’t come down despite treatment
Q : Is the over-the-counter ( OTC ) medicines safe to treat Colds and Flu ?
A : Many OTC cold remedies contain paracetamol, consult your pharmacist when several medications are to be taken for cold relief to avoid a potentially fatal paracetamol overdose. Be careful that any combination products for children under 12 do not contain aspirin. Check with your pharmacist for confirmation.
Q : Why does my doctor sometimes prescribe antibiotics if it is a viral infection ?
A : Sometimes colds develop into something more serious especially when there is bacterial infection on top of the cold virus. Antibiotics will be needed to treat this secondary infection.
Q : What is the difference between a dry cough and a wet cough?
A : A dry cough is non-productive and irritating, sometimes with a tickly throat. A cough suppressant can be taken to relieve the coughing and this medicine should usually sipped slowly. Also drinking plenty of water and avoid dry environment.
A wet or productive cough is one where the person may complain of a tight chest. The person will feel congested and breathless and the cough will bring up mucous or phlegm. An expectorant should help shift the mucous from the chest. A cough suppressant should not be used for a productive cough as it will cause a build up of phlegm in the lungs that can lead to infection.
Naszri Abu Samah, B. Pharm., is a practising community pharmacist at Constant Pharmacy. He can be reached at nash@constant.com.my
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Arthritis Medications
Q : I was told by my doctor that I have arthritis, and was prescribed with some painkillers. Are these medications solely kill off the pain and are no help at all in treating my arthritis ?
A : Arthritis medications not only kill off the pain. Their basis actions are reduction of the inflammation and slowing down the disease process. Thus, you should take your medication even there is no intense pain but stiffness of the joints.
Q : I heard that arthritis medications especially painkillers may cause serious gastric ulcer, I have arthritis and what should I do to prevent this?
A : Many arthritis medications, especially NSAIDs, irritate the stomach lining. Taking the drug with food can help to avoid this problem. Use the “sandwich technique”: Eat a little food. Take your medication. Eat a little more food. There are also newer medications that cause lesser stomach upset, consult your doctor or pharmacist to see if they are suitable for you.
Q : My mother who is 65 has high blood pressure and osteoarthritis, she was prescribed with more than seven medications for her condition at once. We are always confused of what they are for and when to take them. What can we do about this ?
A : First, keep each medication in a labeled container. Get some from your pharmacy if you couldn’t find the suitable containers. Ask your pharmacist to write the name of the medicines, directions and the functions clearly on the label.
Second, learn the generic and the brand names of the medications. Know the common side effects.Your pharmacist will be able to assist you to identify any side effects if occurred while taking the medicines.
Third, get your prescription filled at one pharmacy so that your pharmacist can watch for duplications and potential interactions. Ask the pharmacist for advice on how to get the most out of medicines.
Q : My brother is having a stomach ache, can I give him the painkiller for my arthritis ?
A : No. Painkillers are not for stomach ache. Do not use someone else’s medication or let them use yours, even if other is having the arthritis as well, not mentioning the different condition. What is right for one person may be dangerous for another.
PY Loh, B.Pharm., is a practising community pharmacist at Constant Pharmacy. He can be reached at loh@constant.com.my |
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Asthma Medications
Q : My son was prescribed two types of inhalers for his asthma. I wonder why there must be two inhalers and what is the difference ?
A : Unless your son’s asthma is very mild, chances are he has prescriptions for at least two different medicines. They are preventive and quick reliever medicines. The preventive medicines are used for long-term control of the disease and work to make asthma attacks less frequent and severe. Quick reliever medicines offer short-term relief of symptoms when asthma episodes occur. Consult your pharmacist to understand more of these medicine will help you to use them correctly
Q : Can medicine alone help my asthma ?
A : No. Although medicine help a lot, you are also advised to avoid things that cause or trigger your asthma symptoms as much as you can, even if they are things you like, eg. perfume, food, gardening, certain sports or your pets.
Q : Since I have to use the asthma medication for quite some time, how about the side effects of these medicines, especially those contain steroids ?
A : All medications can have side effects, and asthma medications are no different. If you are not sure what are the symptoms, consult your pharmacist to identify the side effects and tell your doctor about them so that your medications can be adjusted. Some people worry about the steroid drugs that are often prescribed for asthma, because they have heard so much about the side effects of steroids. Steroids are usually prescribed in aerosol form asthma and are taken with an inhaler. Taken this way is consider external, the risk of side effects is extremely small; however, the patient may experience a sore throat or less commonly oral thrush. It is important to rinse out extra drug from the mouth after using an inhaler.
Q : My grandfather who is an asthmatic, uses his inhaler quite frequently and recently I noticed his both hands were shaking, is it the side effects of the inhaler ?
A: It should be an overdose rather than the side effect of the inhaler. The greatest danger for most people taking asthma medicine, especially by inhaler, is overuse. Overuse of these medications over a period of years may prove to be very harmful. Call your doctor and consult your pharmacist for the exact frequency and amount of your grandfather’s doses. Overusing is overdosing.
SH Ng, B. Pharm.,is a practising community pharmacist at Constant Pharmacy. He can be reached at shng@constant.com.my
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Antibiotics
Q : My doctor prescribed an antibiotic and I took the pills for four days. I am supposed to take the pills for three more days, but I am feeling fine now. Can I stop taking my antibiotics ?
A : No. You need to keep taking the antibiotics exactly as your doctor prescribed them. It is important to take all of the medication because there may still be harmful bacteria within your body. Some of the dangerous bacteria my not die and you might get sick again. These bacteria can then become resistant and make the infection you already have, even harder to treat.
Q : I keep on forgetting to take my antibiotics an time, does it matter when I take the pills ?
A : Yes. It’s important to take the antibiotics on time and follow your doctor’s and pharmacist’s instructions. Antibiotics don’t work as well when they aren’t taken on time.
Q : I have been taking antibiotics for the last two days and I am not getting any better. How long do they take to work ?
A : Antibiotics take different amounts of time to make you feel better, but most start to work within three full days. If you have been taking the antibiotics on time and you don’t feel any better after three full days of treatment, you should go to see your doctor. You should stick to the same doctor who prescribed the antibiotics to you as he may need to prescribe a different antibiotic.
Q : My husband was recently sick with a throat infection and he didn’t take all of his antibiotics. My throat is really sore, can I take the rest of his pills ?
A : No. You should never take someone else’s leftover pills. You may not have the same illness your husband had. It’s important to know that specific antibiotics are effective against specific bacteria, so you shouldn’t assume that the leftover antibiotics will work.
Source: NIPA, Canada's National Information Program on Antibiotics. NIPA is a group of health care organizations that are dedicated to promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics. |
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Family Health FAQ
