"Expert Advice You Can Trust Since 1995"
Senior Care Pharmacist Consulting in St. Louis
May 2022
Dr. Hedva Barenholtz Levy explains her role as a geriatric specialist pharmacist and the complexities that accompany working with older adults. Listen as she describes the risks that alcohol, cannabis, and opioids can pose to seniors and as she urges consumers to become an active part of their healthcare team.
Read more: PreventEd Podcast "Do you have any questions for the pharmacist?"
Medications commonly used to treat Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), from a drug class known as the “cholinesterase inhibitors,” also can increase the risk of developing urinary incontinence (referred to as overactive bladder). There are three cholinesterase inhibitors available in the US:
This adverse drug effect of cholinesterase inhibitors became well-documented after the medications were approved and more widely prescribed. It is important to be aware of and recognize this potential effect because it often leads to the addition of another medication to control the incontinence. Adding a drug to manage the side effects of another drug is referred to as a “prescribing cascade” and is one of the several causes of polypharmacy.
Read more: Medications for Alzheimer’s, Urinary Incontinence, and the Prescribing Cascade
The other night I saw a television advertisement that caught my eye. It was for a heartburn product, “Zantac 3600.” It drew my attention because Zantac is the brand name for the generic drug ranitidine, which was withdrawn from the market in April 2020 because of contamination concerns. The easy work-around when ranitidine was withdrawn was to switch to famotidine (brand name Pepcid). Ranitidine and famotidine are in the same drug class of “H2-receptor antagonists.” They are comparable agents and both are available as over-the-counter (OTC) products for treating heartburn. It was an easy substitution.
In late April 2021, however, the manufacturer of Zantac introduced a new product, Zantac 3600, to the market The catch is that this new Zantac product contains famotidine, not ranitidine. Adjusting the name from Zantac to Zantac 3600 is an example of what is called “brand name extension.” It is a marketing tool commonly used by manufacturers of OTC products to capitalize on consumer familiarity with brand names. Unfortunately, brand name extensions can be misleading to the unassuming consumer.
Read more: Be Aware of Brand Name Extensions: All Zantac is Not the Same
Medication adherence, defined as the degree to which a person follows medication instructions, is a challenge for older adults. Indeed, it is estimated that about 50% of older adults are not fully adherent with their medications. The reasons are multifold, however, and not simply a matter of remembering to take a pill. Poor medication adherence among adults age 65 and older results from complex drug regimens plus numerous individual variables.
Read more: Medication Adherence in Older Adults is Not So Simple
HbL PharmaConsulting as heard on Big 550 KTRSElderTalk with Joe Cordell
Saturdays 3pm – 4pm
It is that time of year again, when the common cold—a virus—becomes more common. Hopefully, you wash your hands frequently, cough into your elbow, and drink plenty of fluids to help prevent getting sick. However, for most people, catching a cold will be unavoidable this winter. Many people seek nonprescription drug therapy to reduce the bothersome symptoms of stuffy nose, scratchy throat, runny nose, watery eyes, and cough. Older adults often take other medicines or have underlying medical conditions and thus must be extra careful in choosing the right cough and cold products. Drug interactions and adverse drug effects must be everyone’s first concern. This blog will summarize the good and bad about the different nonprescription cough and cold products and provide tips for how to choose a safe and effective product.
Today is the perfect day to stop and think about the medicines you take every day. What information do you need to know about your medicines to take them safely, take them correctly, and prevent medication errors?
HbL PharmaConsulting promotes “8 Things to Know about Your Medications,” listed below. Many of you already might know this information about each of your medicines. However, if you don’t--or if you know only some of these 8 points--it never is too late to ask additional questions at your next visit to the pharmacy. Pharmacists are medication experts and can help you understand your prescription and nonprescription medicines. The next time you pick up a prescription, whether it is a refill of an old medicine or a brand new medicine for you, when the clerk asks if you have any questions for the pharmacist--say YES!
Who should you turn to with questions about your medicines? The answer is your pharmacist. But you may not be familiar with what your pharmacist can do for you. Your doctor and your pharmacist are a powerful team, working to ensure the best selection and management of your prescription and nonprescription medicines.
