What should I do if I forget to take my medication?

Try to follow the directions as closely as possible. However, you occasionally may make mistakes or forget to take your medications. The decision to take a missed dose depends on the drug. Don't panic and take a double dose. Ask the pharmacist online for his or her advice when you have the prescription order dispensed. You should know the answer to this question before it happens.

When and how do I take my medication it?

Taking your medication correctly is very important to ensure that it gives you the help you expect. Examples of questions you might ask are: Should I take this medication on an empty stomach or with food? How often should I take it? Do I take it at the same time every day?

Editorial Note: The information in these questions and answers is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional . Like any printed material, it may become out-of-date over time.

How long should I take my medication?

Serious problems may result from not taking all your medication or by continuing medications too long. Your doctor should indicate the length of time with your prescription order. Ask our pharmacist online about nonprescription medicines.

Do throat pastilles cure a sore throat?

No, but they can relieve discomfort. Throat lozenges contain different ingredients:
non medication lozenges contain syrup ingredients – sugar, honey or glycerine – which coat the irritated membranes at the back of your throat and keep it lubricated to aid natural healing. They provide temporary relief for about an hour.
Anaesthetic throat lozenges contain an ingredient to help relieve the soreness by numbing the nerve endings in the throat. But again, the relief is only temporary.
Antiseptic throat lozenges can help to kill bacteria but, as most sore throats are caused by a virus, antiseptic treatments will not cure the infection. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable throat lozenge to treat your symptoms.

Viral infections usually clear up on their own – and a sore throat is rarely a cause for serious concern. Most cases improve within a few days, however see your doctor if:
• your sore throat continues for more than five days
• you are suffering from a recurring sore throat
• there are yellow or white spots on the back of your throat
• you develop earache
• you have difficulty breathing
• the glands in the neck are swollen.

The label on my anti-depressant tablets says I shouldn’t sunbathe while I am taking them. Why is this?

Your tablets will make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Certain diuretic (water) tablets and antibiotics can have the same effect. If you sunbathe you might become very red, develop an itchy rash or painful blisters. If you need to go out in the sun, wear a loose long-sleeved shirt and skirt or trousers. Use a total sun block cream on your face and hands, and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Anyone who is concerned that their prescription medication might make them sensitive to the sun should have a word with our online pharmacist. Pharmacists’ training equips them as experts on medicines – and a source of expert advice on how medicines should be taken, to ensure that you get the maximum benefit with the minimum of risk.

 A work colleague has found out that he has gallstones. What exactly are they?

Gallstones are crystallised forms of concentrated bile. Bile – the substance which helps break down fats from your diet – is found in the gall bladder, the sac-shaped container underneath the liver. When the bile becomes too cholesterol-heavy, it can crystallise to form gallstones. They tend to be more common in overweight people and women who have had several children. Most people with gallstones experience no symptoms; others may suffer from mild indigestion after a fatty meal. Painful symptoms can occur, especially if one of the stones becomes stuck in the duct, or small passage, leading from the gall bladder. This causes intense pain in the upper right side of the abdomen and between the shoulder blades. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, bloating and constipation. If the bile duct becomes blocked, the sufferer will be at risk of jaundice. Gallstones are usually the result of too much fat and sugar in the diet and too little fibre. In many cases, eating less fat, sugar, fatty meat and dairy products can control the problem - our online pharmacist can advise you on healthy eating. In extreme cases, sufferers may be prescribed tablets or undergo surgery to remove the stones.

My husband suffers from periodic back pain and needs to take a painkiller. He has a stomach ulcer and has been told not to take aspirin. What other type of painkiller can he take?

Anyone with a stomach ulcer or with a history of stomach problems should not take aspirin or another painkiller, ibuprofen. Both of these painkillers can irritate the stomach lining and can cause stomach bleeding, especially if they are taken without food. However, it should be safe for your husband to take paracetamol to relieve the pain. It is an effective painkiller and is much gentler to the stomach. Remember, you should not take more tablets than the recommended dose, because too much paracetamol can cause liver damage. So it is important always to follow the dosage instructions to the letter. Our online pharmacist is an expert on medicines and how they work – and can answer any questions or concerns you may have about your medication, or recommend a suitable remedy for his symptoms if the paracetamol fails to work.

My 85 year-old mother has recently suffered from incontinence. What advice can I give her about managing this distressing condition?

The good news for your mum is that about 75% of people with incontinence can be cured or helped significantly. Incontinence in the elderly can be caused by medication or by constipation, which can weaken the muscles which control the bladder. Your mother’s pharmacist will be able to tell her if the medicine she is taking is causing the incontinence. If it is, reducing the dose of her medicines or a change of her medication may help. For the small number of patients for whom incontinence is a permanent condition, pharmacists supply a wide range of products such as absorbent pads, pants, bedpans, protective bedding etc – which will help to keep the patient comfortable. Our online pharmacist will also help with advice on hygiene and about control and care of the skin. Suggest to your mother that she has a discreet word with her pharmacist and reassure her that most pharmacies have quiet areas for a private chat, so there is no need to feel embarrassed.

I’ve read that community pharmacists are the 'gateway to the NHS'. What does this mean?~

Your pharmacist can help you to treat yourself or provide you with a solution to the problem from the pharmacy but can also refer you to other parts of the NHS when necessary – such as your GP, dentist or, in some situations, direct to a hospital.

Using your pharmacy as a 'gateway to the NHS' provides a range of benefits for you. They include:
• accessibility
• advice on choosing and using medicines
• staying healthy
• monitoring your health
• home visits and disability aids.

When I am sunbathing, I tend to develop a skin rash. Can I do anything about it?

This may be a prickly heat rash, a condition in which the sweat glands become blocked in hot weather. Cool showers and loose fitting clothes can help, but if the rash persists, antihistamine tablets or calamine lotion, available from our online pharmacy, should relieve any itching. Alternatively, your skin may be reacting to the sun’s ultra-violet rays, or ingredients in your toiletries may be making you extra sensitive to sunlight. To avoid the rash, wash off all traces of fragrances, deodorant or soap before you start sunbathing – and apply a high UVA protection, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free sunscreen. Talk to our pharmacist about your skin rashes. Our pharmacist will be able to suggest a suitable sunscreen and offer advice to help you enjoy the sun without endangering your skin.