Amphetamines conjure up many images: diet pills, all-night party (or study) sessions, and exploding backwoods labs.

Today, amphetamine and methamphetamine are only legally available as Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions. But at one time, these drugs were widely used.

The ephedra plant is known worldwide by many names. The English refer to it as a joint pine or Brigham tea. But most people recognize the plant by its traditional Chinese name, ma-huang. Ephedra has been used for centuries in both traditional medicines and religious ceremonies as a stimulant.

But what component of the plant caused the euphoric effect?

In 1885, Japanese chemist Nagai Nagayoshi found the answer when he successfully isolated ephedrine.

Using plants as a raw material for drugs is always risky. The cost of raising and harvesting the crop added to an extended growing time means an expensive and time-consuming process. Plus, there’s the chance of a failed crop or supply chain problems.

Researchers are better off creating synthetic versions in the lab.

A speedy birth

Amphetamine and methamphetamine are central nervous stimulants referred to collectively as speed.

Amphetamine was synthesized from ephedrine by German scientists in 1887, and methamphetamine, also created by Nagayoshi, arrived in 1893. Pharmacologist Akira Ogata took methamphetamine one step further and synthesized its hydrochloride salt in 1919. The implications of this compound, known as crystal meth, wouldn’t be felt for another 50 years.

But at the time, no one could figure out a use for either drug.

Enter Smith, Kline, and French

The American pharmaceutical company Smith, Kline, and French (SKF) began life as the John K Smith & Co drugstore in 1830. Kline joined in 1865, and the company acquired French, Richards, and Co in 1891. Operating as Smith, Kline, and French laboratories, the company became devoted to research.

Pharmacologist Gordon Alles is best known for his work on insulin as a treatment for diabetes. But in the 1920s, he was more interested in understanding the effects of amphetamines on the body. In 1928, he created the first commercial form of amphetamine — an inhaler marketed under the trade name Benzedrine.

Its use? Nasal congestion.

Alles sold his patent to SKF and, inspired by his research, dove into the world of mind-altering drugs, often experimenting on himself.

He worked with methylenedioxyamphetamine (an early form of ecstasy), mescaline, and cannabis, developing them into drugs. Funded by both SKF and the U.S. Army’s chemical warfare program, Alles traveled the world investigating psychoactive properties in plants. In 1963, he was studying the tranquilizing effects of the Kava root in Tahiti. He died shortly after returning home, from, ironically, complications of diabetes.

SKF, meanwhile, was making a killing on amphetamine-related products. In addition to Benzedrine, the company enjoyed success with the stimulants Dexedrine and Dexamyl.

Customers flocked to get their hands on these trendy new medications. They had discovered a nifty side effect — euphoria and seemingly endless energy.

A wartime effort

During World War II, both Allied and Axis leaders were looking to increase endurance in their soldiers.

The Japanese had been familiar with the effects of amphetamines for awhile. Under the trade name Philopon,industrial workers mainly used methamphetamine to work longer hours and increase output.

The Japanese military, however, took advantage of the drug’s other side effects.

Similar to adrenaline, methamphetamine could increase both awareness and risk-taking behavior. Kamikaze pilots would often receive methamphetamine before a suicide flight mission.

The German army also had its version of methamphetamine.

Pervitin had originally been produced by the Temmler pharmaceutical company for congestion and asthma. But it soon found new use among soldiers, especially the Luftwaffe pilots.

Though the pilots were kept awake from the methamphetamine, its serious side effects forced the military to cut back on its distribution. Reports surfaced of hungover soldiers acting more like zombies on the battlefield or turning violent, attacking their own officers and civilians.

Undeterred, German scientists looked for other alternatives to the “Herman-Göring” tablets. They wanted a drug that not only increased endurance but would enhance performance. Dreams of an army of superhuman soldiers led researchers to experiment with combinations of methamphetamine, cocaine, and the opioid oxycodone.

Allied bomber pilots also received amphetamines to combat fatigue during long flights. In Finland, the drug was known as “pep powder” as it helped increase concentration and focus.

After the war, speed would find a new niche as the favored drug of the counter-culture.

From performance enhancer to creativity booster

Recreational use of Benzedrine soon became popular to boost creativity.

These “bennies” helped writer Jack Kerouac and film producer David Selznick create masterpieces. Methamphetamine also enabled Paul Erdős to become one of the most prolific mathematicians of all time.

Diagnosed with depression, Erdős took methylphenidate for most of his adult life. During that time, he published 1,500 papers, challenged students to prove his conjectures, and collaborated with more than 500 colleagues.

After winning a bet that he couldn’t go a month without using amphetamines, Erdős famously said, “You’ve showed me I’m not an addict. But I didn’t get any work done. I’d get up in the morning and stare at a blank piece of paper. I’d have no ideas, just like an ordinary person. You’ve set mathematics back a month.”

Purple hearts and clubbing stars

Another sub-culture that enjoyed speed for its sensory stimulation was the mods. This group arose in Swinging London and were known for miniskirts, resistance to the 9 to 5 jobs their parents held, and partying well into the night.

The use of a combination amphetamine and barbiturate product called Drinamyl heightened alertness. The mods found the effect preferable to the sloppy intoxication caused by alcohol.

These “purple hearts,” named for the shape of the Drinamyl tablet, allowed mods to dance all night long in nightclubs and emerge in the pre-dawn hours with dilated pupils.

Meth goes mainstream

In the 1950s, a drug named Obetrol became popular. The pharmaceutical company promoted this combination of methamphetamine and amphetamine salts as a diet pill.

American housewives clamored to get their hands on the miracle drug that gave them the energy to finish their housework while curbing their appetite.

Long-haul truckers relied on amphetamines to stay awake on the road.

Students used amphetamine drugs marketed for attention deficit disorder to cram the night before exams.

Eventually, reports of delusions, tooth grinding, paranoia, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, and stroke began to surface. The addictive nature of speed was also revealed.

The FDA slowly began to restrict methamphetamine and amphetamine’s production and distribution. In 1965, they banned the sale of Benzedrine. By the early 1970s, both drugs became schedule II controlled substances, where they remain today.

Though these regulations reduced speed’s use by the general public, the production and sale of these drugs merely went underground.

The rise of crank

Black market production of methamphetamine began to increase in the 1960s.

The largest producer of meth? Motorcycle gangs. In fact, the term crank comes from here. Bikers would stash illegal methamphetamine in the crankcase of their motorcycles.

Methamphetamine production also went underground in Japan. The Japanese Ministry of Health had banned the manufacture of stimulant drugs in the 1950s. But a criminal syndicate known as the Yakuza took over instead. The black market sold these drugs under the name S, Shabu, and Speed.

Intravenous methamphetamine gained usage around this time as well. Capable of providing a quicker onset of action, IV meth created violent and erratic behavior in its users.

In the early 2000s, rolling meth labs “cooked” the drug with toxic and flammable chemicals. The resulting cheap drug flooded the market, and fiery lab explosions made headlines. Narcotics teams needed specialized Hazmat training to handle the cleanup.

Government agencies rushed to regulate the main ingredient, pseudoephedrine, and the domestic production of meth declined sharply.

Methamphetamine today

Methamphetamine may be forgotten, but it’s still around.

Nowadays, the drug crosses the border from Mexican drug cartels. It’s still cheap and now nearly 100% pure. Death rates are rising, but the war on opioids eclipses the battle against methamphetamine.

Amphetamine abuse is also still present.

Students and white-collar workers continue to rely on Adderall and other ADHD drugs. Now, amphetamine use is appearing in a new population— gamers and the video game industry.

Drugs have always been a part of human society and always will be. But with education, they don’t have to ruin lives. If you, or someone you know, struggles with addiction, please reach out. Take the first step and simply talk to someone.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

Dial 1–800–662-HELP (4357).

The post Up, Up, And Away: The Evolution of Speed appeared first on Medika Life.

The toxins in smoke can affect many of our vital organ systems from the heart and lungs to the eyes. Expectant women can experience reproductive problems such as low-birth-weight babies. Smoking is also linked to developing many types of cancers.

Now there’s another reason to quit smoking.

Smokers have an increased risk of developing more serious complications from the coronavirus.

Smoking and COVID-19

When the coronavirus attacks the lungs, it can cause a mild infection characterized by a persistent cough or can progress to respiratory distress. Severe cases may require hospitalization, intubation for breathing support, and weeks spent in critical care.

Smokers and former smokers are at increased risk of developing a more severe course of infection, nearly double the rate of non-smokers.

In May, the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) analyzed 19 peer-reviewed studies on smoking and coronavirus. These studies included nearly 12,000 patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

The researchers found that the risk of disease progression in smokers or former smokers was twice that of nonsmokers. Current or former smokers also needed more support, were likely to be in critical condition, and were at higher risk of death.

“Smoking is associated with a substantially higher risk of COVID-19 progression,” said Stanton A. Glantz, Ph.D., director of UCSF’s Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education.

The use of e-cigarettes also led to further disease progression. Both vaping and cigarette smoke can damage the lungs and decrease lung function. Another study found that vaping, either with or without dual tobacco use, was associated with a five times greater chance of developing COVID-19.

A multitude of benefits

Along with hand washing and face masks, give yourself every possible means of protection — that includes quitting smoking.

By improving circulation, increasing oxygen levels, and lowering inflammation, you give the immune system a better chance to fight off not just coronavirus but also seasonal colds and flu.

In addition to improved immunity, the American Cancer Society lists the following benefits:

Quitting is tough

While some individuals can stop “cold turkey,” others need counseling, acupuncture, or medications to help curb the nicotine craving.

Those attempting to quit often require multiple attempts, but there are resources and help available. A solid plan involving support, strategies for battling weight gain, anxiety, and mood swings, and counseling will drastically improve the odds.

What medications can help?

While nicotine is responsible for the addictive qualities of cigarettes, there are thousands of chemicals in smoke. A large number of these, including formaldehyde, arsenic, and benzene have been linked to cancer.

Most medications help by reducing the craving for nicotine.

Currently, there are three FDA-approved products for smoking cessation: nicotine replacement products, sustained-release bupropion (Zyban), and varenicline (Chantix).

Nicotine replacement

Found over the counter in inhaler, spray, gum, patch, and lozenge forms, these agents act directly on nicotine receptors in the body. They replace the nicotine inhaled (along with those other toxins) in tobacco form.

Which product to choose?

This is mostly patient preference. However, the best results may come from combining the transdermal patch, which releases nicotine slowly over 24 hours, with a rapid-acting product such as the spray, gum, or lozenge when cravings hit.

Remember, nicotine gum is not chewed in the traditional sense. Users are instructed to bite down once and then place the piece of gum between the cheek and teeth and leave it there. A mild tingling sensation is proof that the nicotine is releasing.

Choosing the correct strength will depend on the number of cigarettes smoked per day. The product packaging should contain a guide, but if in doubt, consult with a pharmacist.

Zyban (sustained-release bupropion) and Chantix (varenicline)

These agents are available by prescription only.

Zyban was originally used as an antidepressant. Curiously, patients who took bupropion would often independently quit smoking. It was later discovered that the drug increased the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain the same way nicotine would.

Zyban is dosed at 300 mg per day for 7 to 12 weeks, but there is the possibility that up to 24 weeks would be required.

Common side effects include insomnia, dry mouth, dizziness, anxiety, and nausea.

Chantix works by preventing nicotine from stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain. By acting on dopamine itself, the drug replaces nicotine, but to a lesser degree, resulting in fewer cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Chantix has a slight edge over bupropion, with 2mg dosing per day being effective after 12 weeks. Patients who completed the course were less likely to relapse than with Zyban.

However, patients who used either option for at least 45 days showed no difference and were the most successful at smoking cessation.

Side effects of Chantix tend to be milder and include nausea, vivid dreams, headache, and insomnia.

What if I can’t quit while taking Zyban or Chantix? Is it dangerous to keep smoking?

Chantix specifically outlines a schedule for smokers having difficulty quitting while on the medication. Recommendations are to start one week before the quit date. Then reduce smoking by half the daily amount for the first four weeks. Over the next four weeks, cut the amount by half again.

The recommendation for Zyban is to stop smoking after two weeks on the medication.

Nicotine replacement therapy may also be used with Zyban or Chantix.

What other therapies can help?

Along with smoking cessation products, counseling has proven effective. An individual plan should be drawn up for each patient desiring to quit, beginning with that person’s reason for quitting.

Remember, multiple attempts and a combination of medications may be needed. Above all, don’t be shy about asking for help.

The best time to quit is now. Start now.

S: Set a quit date.
T: Tell family, friends, and others around you that you plan to quit.
A: Anticipate or plan ahead for the difficulties you’ll face while quitting.
R: Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car, and workplace.
T: Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit.

It’s never been so critical.

The post Now Is the Time To Quit appeared first on Medika Life.

It seems unimaginable that not so long ago, those products that people trusted were marketed by companies that did not need to prove that the drug worked or was even safe.

Misadventure abounded, resulting in potions, elixirs, and nostrums whose popular demand resulted in serious effects, overdoses, and sometimes death.

Morphine

Yes. We gave children morphine. Who could imagine that was a bad idea?

One of the more popular morphine-containing remedies was Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup,“designed to soothe excitable and irritable children.”

A real-life Mrs. Winslow existed

A pediatric nurse, Charlotte Winslow, came up with the formulation in 1849 to soothe colicky babies. The syrup contained 65mg of morphine per fluid ounce plus alcohol. One teaspoon contained around 10 mg of morphine, more than enough to harm a child. So it seems incredible that the recommended dose was one teaspoonful three to four times a day!

At the time, there were no regulations on so-called “patent medicines.” They did not have to be effective or safe. Often the ingredients weren’t even listed on the packaging.

Nevertheless, frazzled mothers administered the popular syrup for teething, fussiness, and colic. The product could also relieve watery diarrhea associated with dysentery because morphine slows the bowel, causing constipation.

One mother wrote to The New York Times claiming its effect on her son was “like magic; he soon went to sleep, and all pain and nervousness disappeared.”

The baby killer

Soon, reports of children dying after receiving the syrup began to appear. No official data exist, but estimates place the death toll at thousands of children, either killed directly from an overdose or complications surrounding the inevitable withdrawal.

New laws regarding safety are always slow to take effect, and with no evidence to directly link the deaths to the syrup, the “baby killer” remained on the market until the 1930s.

Heroin

Aspirin is considered by many to be a wonder drug. Cheap, effective, and generally recognized as safe when used as directed, aspirin seems to occupy the opposite end of the spectrum than heroin. For that reason, it’s unthinkable that the same company, Bayer, once produced both.

Heroin (diacetylmorphine)hit the market in 1898 as a non-addictive cough suppressant for patients with tuberculosis, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases.

Less than a year later, the first patients began to exhibit signs of tolerance, addiction, and withdrawal.

Doctors also prescribed heroin to treat morphine addiction, a problem common among soldiers. Consequently, morphine and opium addicts discovered the benefit of intravenous heroin abuse — a euphoric high.

By the time legislation was passed in 1914 to regulate narcotics, nearly a quarter of a million residents of New York City alone were addicted to heroin.

However, it took another ten years to ban heroin. And then the production of the drug simply moved underground.

Cocaine

Long used by tribal people for its stimulant effect, scientists isolated cocaine from coca leaves around 1860. Surprisingly, no one knew what to do with it.

An unlikely source became cocaine’s early champion — Sigmund Freud.

The neurologist became obsessed, devoting the years 1884 to 1887 to his “side interest” and studying all the available literature. He soon promoted cocaine for depression, extreme shyness, and even impotence.

Freud also believed cocaine could be helpful for morphine addicts. He had witnessed the suffering of a close friend who had become addicted to pain killers after losing a thumb to amputation.

“Uber Coca”

After Freud released his findings, the medical community embraced the drug, and addiction rates began to skyrocket.

Surgeon William Halsted, excited about the possibility of cocaine as a topical anesthetic, experimented on himself. History tells the tale of Halsted showing up in the operating room under the influence of the drug, taking one look at the patient, and fleeing the scene.

Fortunately, the surgeon admitted himself for treatment. Unfortunately, medical personnel used morphine to “cure” him, so he emerged from rehab addicted to both drugs.

Arthur Conan Doyle gave his famous detective Sherlock Holmes a cocaine habit, and even Pope Leo XIII was known to carry around a flask of Vin Mariani, a beverage made from Bordeaux wine and cocaine.

Soon more tonics appeared with cocaine in it, including the famous Coca-Cola.

The party came to a halt in 1920 after the long term effects began to appear — disrupted eating and sleeping patterns, delusions and hallucinations, and severe depression upon withdrawal.

The FDA restricted cocaine, and today, the drug’s only accepted use is a topical anesthetic.

Chloroform

Chloroform was produced in 1831 by combining whiskey with chlorinated lime, and farmers initially used it as a pesticide.

It wasn’t until 1847 that surgeons discovered its anesthetic effect. But even under careful supervision, chloroform was a volatile and dangerous drug. The amount required to put a patient under was unnervingly close to the dose that would paralyze the lungs.

However, its use persisted with such famous people as Queen Victoria requesting chloroform while giving birth to her eighth child.

Soon the quacks got a hold of the “knock ’em out” drug, and capitalizing on its narcotic-like effect, put chloroform into cough syrups, mouthwashes, and ointments.

One of the more popular syrups, Kimball’s White Pine and Tar Cough Syrup, contained chloroform and was marketed to relieve asthma symptoms, wheezing, and cough.

Unsurprisingly, patients began to experience kidney and liver damage. Eventually, chloroform was found to be carcinogenic but still wasn’t banned from human consumption until 1976.

Same story, different century

We have tighter rules and regulations in place now, but things don’t seem much better than the era of the snake oil salesman.

In this age of OxyContin and Fentanyl, it’s easy to think we aren’t much better off than our ancestors.

Maybe one day we’ll get it right.

Until then, we have information at our fingertips. Emergency responders use Narcan to quickly reverse the effects of opioids, and there is a multitude of call centers available to help those with addiction.

If you, or someone you know, struggles with addiction, the SAMHSA National Helpline is available 24/7 at 1–800–662–4357.

The post A Company Famous For Selling Aspirin Once Legally Sold Heroin appeared first on Medika Life.

Having attempted multiple ways to obtain relief, she finally experienced a reduction in her discomfort from a miracle drug recommended by a friend.

Fourteen years later, this 44-year-old mother of three still relied on the medication. The pain she no longer felt, what remained was an intense craving for the drug. Many times she tried to quit, but each time her willpower failed.

She turned to alcohol.

Her health deteriorated.

Without the drug, she found herself unable to sleep, eat, or relax. She consumed increasingly larger quantities of the drug to achieve the same euphoric effect.

The miracle drug? Laudanum, an early form of opium.

The year? 1866.

The purpose of the above case study is to illustrate not only how long our society has grappled with opioid abuse, but also to highlight how little we have changed.

A star is born

In 1996, Purdue Pharmaceuticals released OxyContin. The drug’s generic form, oxycodone, was discovered back in 1916 and was originally intended to treat acute, moderate to severe pain.

Acute is the keyword here, meaning short-term.

Purdue realized their oxycodone brand needed to stand-out. Theirs was simply an extended-released version targeted for chronic pain relief.

However, OxyContin was neither superior to old-fashioned immediate-release oxycodone, a cheaper generic, nor did it offer any advantage over other opioids like morphine.

Purdue dipped deep into their pockets and emerged with a masterful marketing scheme. The timing was perfect, with new legislation being pushed to ease public access to opioids for chronic pain.

Company profits grew from $48 million to over $1 billion in just four years.

By 2004, OxyContin became one of the top drugs of abuse, beating out fentanyl, methadone, and hydrocodone.

Interestingly, Purdue sponsored the study that revealed this data.

Time to act

Purdue had no one to blame but itself. The unprecedented amount of money spent promoting OxyContin and the fact that areas that had first access to the drug also had the highest incidences of abuse spoke volumes.

The company backpedaled and introduced an abuse-deterrent formulation in 2010.

Abuse-deterrent formulations were nothing new. They aimed to prevent or to make it harder to alter a drug to obtain feelings of euphoria or reward.

Manufacturers had an arsenal of tricks to choose from.

For example, one of the oldest abuse-deterrent systems was to combine the opioid with an antagonist drug that would reduce euphoria.

Purdue chose the physical route. They redesigned OxyContin to make it more difficult to crush.

Users had long realized that smashing an extended-release product removed the delay, in effect creating a bullet, the entire dose released at once.

In addition to being crush-resistant, Purdue’s new design resulted in the tablet transforming into a thick gel when soaked in water. This, they hoped, would prevent the dissolution of the drug for injection.

Why the system failed

OxyContin’s new formulation worked very well at preventing abusers from snorting, inhaling, or injecting an altered version of the drug.

However, it did nothing to combat the main route of abuse — swallowing the tablet whole as intended.

An FDA panel recently reviewed post-marketing studies for the “new and improved” OxyContin.

The good news

One study looked at over 60,000 patients admitted to opioid abuse programs and found a 50% reduction in self-reporting of OxyContin abuse by snorting or injection.

Also, a review of calls to poison control centers showed a reduced number regarding intentional OxyContin overdose or misuse.

But…

Another study looked at which alternatives abusers sought out. Over 20% of respondents claimed to have beaten the tamper-resistant system, while another group, nearly 60%, turned to other drugs, namely heroin.

Why heroin?

As one person stated, “Most people that I know don’t use OxyContin to get high anymore. They have moved on to heroin [because] it is easier to use, much cheaper, and easily available.”

Addressing the crisis

Naturally, the new formulation does nothing to address the nation’s current opioid crisis. Nor does it provide help for those who have become addicted to the drug over years of prescribed use.

The CDC estimates over 60% of drug overdose deaths were due to opioids, and nearly 2 million Americans struggle with dependence on this class of drugs. The vast majority of these are patients who began taking an opioid for acute pain.

The studies found the risk of dependence increased with the duration of time spent on these prescriptions and skyrocketed if a controlled-release product, like OxyContin, was prescribed.

Finding the solutions to these problems will take much more effort, education, and most importantly, the desire of those at the top to institute a change.

It will not be easy, but we owe it to ourselves as a compassionate nation to at least try.

The post Purdue Reformulated OxyContin to Reduce Abuse — Did They Succeed? appeared first on Medika Life.

1. We’ve heard your embarrassing question before.

Unless you make a big deal, we likely won’t remember how you once asked us about toenail fungus.

By the time we’ve graduated, we’ve been exposed to all types of questions and scenarios. We have heard the stories about how patients accidentally brushed their teeth with hemorrhoid cream, tried to swallow suppositories, and have been unable to remove tampons.

Those of us working in hospitals have likely experienced trauma patients and death. Although we never get used to it, familiarity does make it easier.

So relax, we would rather you ask us than guess or choose not to treat your condition. We promise not to laugh (unless you want us to).

2. Although we are drug experts, we know about general health conditions too.

Pharmacy school isn’t only studying drugs. We spend the first few semesters on basic anatomy and physiology. Once we know how the body normally functions, then we move on to disease states. Learning what can go wrong helps us to understand how drugs work. Each lesson builds on the other.

So, we will know about chronic disease states like high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis, and be able to answer questions you may have.

3. Please don’t ask us where the sale items are in the store.

We probably don’t know, and unless it’s a slow day, usually don’t have the time to check for you. And don’t expect us, or the people in line behind you, to appreciate checking out all the items in your cart.

That being said, we don’t mind going into the cold medication aisle and pointing out a few choices since that is within our scope of practice.

4. We’re masterminds at solving insurance issues, but we appreciate your patience.

Every insurance card is a puzzle. Some of them require a zero before the member ID, some want the person code after. Some don’t want the letters, some require a special group number that isn’t on the card. We likely know the major carriers, but sometimes we get thrown for a loop.

We are also used to insurance rejections. “Refill too soon”, “drug not covered”, “prior authorization required”. All of these issues require time to dig into.

Also, please know that we have no control over your copay. Yes, last time it was $20, and now it’s $30. Copays go up all the time. Deductibles start over every year.

If we have billed the insurance, the price comes from them.

5. We will remember if you are rude to us and our technicians.

We see a lot of patients and fill a ton of prescriptions every day. Unless you are a frequent guest, we will likely have forgotten your name five minutes after saying goodbye.

However, we remember the ones that yell. We remember the ones that make unreasonable demands. We remember the ones that try to bully our students and technicians for problems that are out of their control.

We understand that you may be sick and in pain. We know you likely spent hours in the ER or doctor’s office and just want to go home. We’ll give you a pass for that, but we are still human and deserve to be treated with respect.

6. Technicians aren’t pharmacists, don’t ask them drug questions.

Speaking of our technicians, they do a heck of a lot of work. Without them, our pharmacies would implode. They receive special education and training to be able to perform their job.

That being said, save your medication questions for the pharmacist. Legal requirements aside, the pharmacist is the one with 6 plus years of education, residencies, and credentials.

On the flip side, we are extremely busy and if every caller asks to “speak with the pharmacist” just to find out the price of their medication or if it’s ready for pick-up, questions a technician is more than qualified to answer, then we can’t do our work efficiently.

7. We work tirelessly behind the scenes during your hospital stay too.

A pharmacist will review each medication order for every patient who enters the hospital. Just like at the drug store, you can rest assured that we have screened the order against your allergies, checked if the dose is appropriate for your weight and age, and reviewed it for interactions with other medications you may be taking.

Sometimes we even consult with other members of your health care team in determining your treatment plan.

If you have ever received an antibiotic or blood thinner in the hospital, chances are a pharmacist calculated the initial dose and monitored it daily.

8. Don’t bring a grocery bag full of your prescriptions to the hospital.

Patients are not usually allowed to keep medications at the bedside, so guess what will happen to the prescriptions you bring in with you? Your family member will be asked to take them right back home.

The alternative is to have your medications stored in the pharmacy. This means they go into a drawer somewhere in the back corner. The nurse who drops off your medication receives a receipt. It’s up to them (and you) to remember to pick them up at discharge.

You can imagine how many “patient’s own meds” get left behind.

The exception to this rule is if you are taking a rare, brand-new, or essential drug. Hospital pharmacies stock the basics, but we won’t carry everything. If we don’t have it, we will ask a family member to bring it in so it can be continued during your stay.

9. If we don’t have the drug in stock, we will help you find it.

Did your doctor order a medication that we don’t stock? No problem. Chain drug stores are all connected by the same computer system making transferring prescriptions easy.

The same goes for hospital stays. We can call our buddy hospitals and borrow medications from them. A courier will pick up the drug and deliver it to us. Again, we appreciate your patience as this process can take a few hours.

10. We are human.

We have an outstanding assortment of technology at our disposal. Robots fill medications. Barcode scanners ensure the correct bottle of pills is chosen. Electronic prescriptions reduce transcription errors. Automated dispensing machines allow nurses to choose the correct drug at the hospital.

Many sets of eyes see a prescription order from start to finish but remember that the last link in the chain is you.

When you get your refill home, take a moment to look at it. Are the pills the same color and shape as last time? Is it a new prescription? Most pharmacies include descriptions of what the tablet looks like on the bottle’s label. Did the nurse scan your wristband before scanning the medication bar code at the hospital?

All of these steps will help to ensure your safety. Medication mix-ups happen. They can be bad. Help us to prevent them.

11. Doctors’ handwriting really is terrible.

Sometimes we rely on clues in the strength or indication. Sometimes we pass it around and everyone takes a guess. Worst case, we have to call the office. That’s why we are grateful that most prescriptions these days are electronic.

However, electronic doesn’t mean fool-proof. Doctors can still choose an incorrect drug from a drop-down or predictive text list.

That’s another reason you should always ask questions about your prescription. We can determine pretty quickly that the wrong medication was filled if we counsel you on diabetes medication for your earache.

12. We went into this to help others, not for the money.

Even though we sometimes look frazzled and stressed, please know we genuinely want you to understand your medications. We will always take time out for questions, counseling, and concerns.

We went into pharmacy school to be health-care providers, not to drive around in Lamborghinis.

Trust us, the money we are making barely covers the cost of our education. Most of us work more than one job. There are easier ways to make money.

We do it because we care.

The post 12 Things Pharmacists Want You to Know appeared first on Medika Life.