With the growing reliance on medication therapy as the primary intervention for most illnesses, patients receiving medication interventions are exposed to potential harm as well as benefits. Benefits are effective management of the illness/disease, slowed progression of the disease, and improved patient outcomes with few if any errors. Harm from medications can arise from unintended consequences as well as medication error (wrong medication, wrong time, wrong dose, etc.). The

It’s that time of year when “it’s going around”. What is “it” you ask………could be a simple cold or the seasonal flu. Many patients have trouble determining the two apart. Often it’s not as simple as the medical journals will try to make it out to be, but here are some tips to tell if the symptoms you are suffering are the common cold vs the seasonal flu. http://www.flufacts.com/know/what-is.jsp If I get the flu, how long am I contagious? Most people are usually contagious

Older adults, as a group, are at higher risk of falling than younger individuals, and are more likely to sustain an injury as the result of a fall. Falls are not only associated with greater morbidity and mortality in the older population, but are also linked to reduced overall functioning and early admission to long-term care facilities. Falls are serious health issues for seniors, as they are associated with a decrease quality of life and independence. Many risk factors of

What are generic drugs? A generic drug is identical–or bioequivalent–to a brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use. Although generic drugs are chemically identical to their branded counterparts, they are typically sold at substantial discounts from the branded price. According to the Congressional Budget Office, generic drugs save consumers an estimated $8 to $10 billion a year at retail p

Most people are aware of the cardiovascular benefits of taking an aspirin daily, however, I often see a lot of confusion among my patients of how much and when is the best time to take it. Here is a little insight into the power of aspirin, and the side effects to be aware of: How much aspirin should I take daily? Most people only need to take 81 mg daily, this is often referred to as "baby aspirin". Taking more aspirin than your prescriber tells you will not make it work b

This month we are collaborating with the Alzheimer's Association in San Diego to answer some common questions from caregivers and loved ones of dementia patients. For more information on the upcoming Caregiver & Family Conference on July 18th please visit www.ALZ.ORG/SANDIEGO Does Gingko Biloba improve memory and/or prevent the progression of dementia? Ginkgo is not likely to improve memory or prevent dementia. There were some preliminary studies that suggested taking this

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a common medication found in many over the counter (OTC) products found on store shelves. Acetaminophen works well when used properly and is usually safe for most people to take, the key is to make sure you are taking it the right way. Many OTC products including cough and cold medications, pain killers, sleep aids, sinus medications include acetaminophen as an active ingredient. It can also be found in combination with narcotic medications prescri

A medication-related problem is an event or situation involving drug therapy that negatively interferes with your health. Senior Care Pharmacists categorize medication-related problems can be categorized eight ways: Untreated conditions: You have a medical condition that requires drug therapy but you are not receiving a drug for that condition. Drug use without indication: You are taking a medication for no medically valid condition or reason. Improper drug selection: Your me