Medication Questions? Ask Your Pharmacist!

Q. I am having trouble swallowing my pills. Can I crush my medications?
A. It is always best to check with your healthcare provider before splitting, cutting, crushing or opening capsules or tablets. Here are some key points about medications that you should not crush.

Q. When I pick up a prescription from the pharmacist, what types of questions should I ask?
A. Your pharmacist should provide you with all the necessary information to use your medications effectively and safely. Keep reading to find out what are the key questions to ask your pharmacist.

Q. I've heard lately that the diabetes medication Avandia can cause heart attacks. Is this true? Should I stop taking my Avandia?
A. There is some evidence that Avandia can increase the risk of heart attacks. Learn more about these risks and if you should stop taking Avandia.

Q. What does all that doctor's scribble on my prescription mean? Is there a trick to reading prescriptions?
A. Reading prescriptions is almost like reading another language. Learn a few tips to read your prescription.

Q. I'm having trouble sleeping. Is there a way to sleep better without medications?
A. Difficulty sleeping is a common medical problem, that can often be addressed without medications. Learn how to sleep better without medications.

Q. I've heard that taking a low dose of Aspirin daily can be beneficial. Should I take Aspirin even if I've never had a heart attack or stroke?
A. An Aspirin a Day to prevent cardiovascular disease might sound like a good idea, but it is important to weigh the benefits with the potential risks before starting this medication.

Q. Do I really have a penicillin allergy? Should I avoid penicillins only, or are there also other drugs to avoid?
A. Penicillin allergies can be very serious, but the incidence is lower than previously thought. If you really do have a true penicillin allergy there are special precautions you must take.

Q. Isn't brand name better than generic? Why else would the brand name medication be so much more expensive?
A. The difference between brand and generic is probably much less than you think. Find out more about brand versus generic medications.

Q. I've heard that some people are at a greater risk for having problems with their medications? How do I know if this could be me?
A. In fact, there are a number of factors that can increase your medication risk. Find out what these are, and what you can do about it!

Q. I was once told to not drink grapefruit juice with my medication. Does this mean I should take grapefruit juice and medication separately, or not take grapefruit at all?
A. There are some chemicals in grapefruit juice that can interact with certain medications. Read more about grapeftuit interactions, which medications are involved, and how to prevent this potentially dangerous interaction.

Q. A friend of mine told me to stop taking my prescribed medications and switch to herbal or natural remedies instead. He says these products are safer. Is this true?
A. Unfortunately, "natural" does not necessarily mean "safer". Find out here why herbal medications can sometimes be toxic to your health!

Q. I've heard something on the news about lavender and tea tree oils causing breast enlargement. Is this safe?
A. Reports in the medical literature have shown that lavender and tea tree oils can cause breast enlargement in certain people. But the safety and effectiveness of this is not yet known!

Q. Do drugs really expire after their expiry date? Isn't this just a marketing ploy to sell more medications?
A. Drug expiry dates serve a greater purpose than just helping to sell drugs. Find out why you should check your medications' expiry dates!