Category: Pharmacy Information - Page 6

Herbal Supplements That Interact with Common Prescription Drugs

Many herbal supplements like St. John’s Wort and ginkgo biloba can dangerously interact with prescription drugs, reducing effectiveness or causing life-threatening side effects. Learn which supplements to avoid and what to do if you're taking both.

Baseline CK Testing for Statins: When It’s Really Needed

Baseline CK testing before starting statins isn't needed for everyone - but it's critical for those at higher risk of muscle side effects. Learn who should get tested and why it matters.

Pravastatin Tolerability in Older Adults: Side Effect Profile

Pravastatin is one of the safest statins for older adults, with fewer muscle side effects and drug interactions than other options. Learn how it compares, who benefits most, and what to watch for.

Injectable Medication Shortages: Why Hospital Pharmacies Are on the Front Line

Hospital pharmacies are on the front lines of a growing crisis: injectable medication shortages. With 226 drugs still in short supply as of mid-2025, hospitals face daily disruptions to care, delayed treatments, and ethical dilemmas - all because of broken supply chains and low-profit generics.

Insurer Pressure: How Providers Respond to Generic Drug Substitution Requirements

Insurers push providers to use generic drugs to cut costs, but rigid substitution rules are causing delays, patient harm, and administrative overload. Learn how providers are adapting-and where the system is failing.

Dizziness and Lightheadedness as Medication Side Effects: What You Need to Know

Dizziness and lightheadedness are common side effects of many medications, from blood pressure pills to antidepressants. Learn which drugs cause it, how to manage it safely, and what to do if you feel off-balance.

Why Generic Switching Raises Concerns for NTI Drugs

Generic substitution for NTI drugs like warfarin, phenytoin, and lithium can be dangerous due to narrow safety margins. Small differences in absorption may cause toxicity or treatment failure. Patients and doctors must stay vigilant.

Insulin, EpiPens, and Nitroglycerin: What Happens When They Expire

Insulin, EpiPens, and nitroglycerin lose potency rapidly after expiration - using them past their date can be deadly. Learn the real risks, storage rules, and what to do when they expire.

How to Use Patient Counseling to Catch Dispensing Mistakes

Patient counseling catches 83% of dispensing errors before they reach patients. Learn how to use simple, evidence-based questions and techniques to turn every counseling session into a safety checkpoint that machines can't replace.

Diabetic Nephropathy: How ACE Inhibitors, ARBs, and Protein Control Protect Kidneys in Diabetes

ACE inhibitors and ARBs are the cornerstone of diabetic nephropathy treatment, reducing protein leakage and slowing kidney damage. Learn how to use them correctly, avoid dangerous combos, and pair them with diet for maximum kidney protection.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: How Riluzole Slows Neurodegeneration

Riluzole is the first FDA-approved drug for ALS, offering a modest but meaningful survival benefit by slowing motor neuron degeneration. Learn how it works, its side effects, and why it remains essential despite newer treatments.

Generic vs. Brand Name Drugs: What You Really Need to Know About Bioequivalence and Cost Savings

Generic drugs are just as effective as brand-name versions, saving patients up to 85% on medication costs. Learn how bioequivalence works, when to be cautious, and why generics are safe for most people.