Pharmacist Talk

[brostholder]

As a pharmacist for almost 35 years, I can hardly wait to move to my new home in TV. But, like so many others we are having a bit of a tough time selling our home in Ohio. In the meantime, we sneak down to TV every chance we get. I thought that since I am still working as a pharmacist, I might be able to use this blog to pass on some helpful pharmaceutical tips to my new friends and neighbors in TV. If you think this would be helpful, please give me some feedback.
Tip of the Day: Do you take the drug Cozaar for high blood pressure? If you do, you will be interested to know that the generic "Losartan" is now available. One problem.....the manufacturer of Losartan has a 180 day exclusive, so the price will probably not come down very much until October of this year.
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[graciegirl]

As a pharmacist for almost 35 years, I can hardly wait to move to my new home in TV. But, like so many others we are having a bit of a tough time selling our home in Ohio. In the meantime, we sneak down to TV every chance we get. I thought that since I am still working as a pharmacist, I might be able to use this blog to pass on some helpful pharmaceutical tips to my new friends and neighbors in TV. If you think this would be helpful, please give me some feedback.
Tip of the Day: Do you take the drug Cozaar for high blood pressure? If you do, you will be interested to know that the generic "Losartan" is now available. One problem.....the manufacturer of Losartan has a 180 day exclusive, so the price will probably not come down very much until October of this year.
***************

I am not familiar with Cozaar but I do take Hyzaar which the pharmacy has filled with the generic Losartan.

[Shirleevee]

I am not familiar with Cozaar but I do take Hyzaar which the pharmacy has filled with the generic Losartan.

I get mine from Canada, have been using the generic for a year (Hyzaar). Thank you, my NY doctor said recently that there is still no generic in the states, so I will enlighten him.

Would like your tips very much. Thank you

[K9-Lovers]

I would love to hear wisdom, wit and whatever you throw my way. Reading TOTV has been very informative and I learn so much about so many topics on this forum. Yes! Give us your tips!

[islandgal]

Brostholder -
Best of luck with selling your home quickly.

I have just been given Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets for high blood pressure.
Would like you comments. I still question generics and would like your opinion of them.

Bet you will receive many questions for which we will all thank you for your input. :thumbup:

[brostholder]

Hi Islandgal, Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide are often given separately or in combination to treat high blood pressure. The Lisinopril is in a class of drugs called "angiotensin converting enzyme" or ACE inhibitors. The hydrochlorothiazide is a water pill. When people take them in combination they often take them in the morning so the water pill doesn't get you up in the middle of the night.
A Generic drug has the same active ingredient as the brand name drug. It must also have the same dissolution and bioavailability as the brand name drug. It also must be manufactured under the same rigid manufacturing guidelines as the brand. For most people, there is absolutely no difference between the name brand and the generic version. However, there are 2 instances where one should be cautious. While the active ingredients are the same in the brand and the generic, they often have different inactive ingredients. A patient may rarely be allergic to one of the inactive ingredients in the generic. The other situation where one should be cautious is if you are taking a "narrow therapeutic" drug. These are drugs that are very beneficial in the right dosage, but a small variation in dosage could be dangerously subtherapeutic or too strong for the patient. Such drugs include digoxin, theophylline, synthroid, coumadin and others. With these drugs, patients should not switch back and forth between brand and generics without monitoring. Other than these 2 instances, you can have complete faith in generics.
Disclaimer: Please check with your doctor and/or pharmacist concerning any possible side effects or adverse reactions of drugs you are taking.

[islandgal]

Brostholder-
Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate the info about my medication - some of those generic names can be intimidating -
and to fully explain generics. I will definitely remember the two generic exceptions.

TOTV is truly blessed having you share your knowledge and explain it to those who sometimes aren't totally
given or are unable to locate enough info.

We hope you will be a full-time villager soon.
Thanks again.

[jojo]

Thank you for sharing this information. Do you have any opinion about fosomax vs the once a month pill that is now available? A fellow Buckeye...

[Carla B]

Or, between fosamax and the once-per-year infusion (Reclast?) Thanks for your insight...

[brostholder]

The class of drugs called bisphosphanates includes Fosamax (alendronate), Actonel (risedronate), and reclast (zoledronic acid). They work by inhibiting bone resorption. In the pharmacy, we dispense much more generic fosamax than any of the others. This is probably because it is on the Wal-Mart $4 list. (disclosure....I still work part time as a Wal-Mart pharmacist). Fosamax 70mg is taken once a week. Actonel is usually taken once a month but has different dosing schedules for some people according to their conditions. I have seen one study that says people can be switched from once weekly fosomax to reclast without any problems.
A few things to remember when taking these drugs. They can be damaging to the esophagus if not taken correctly.
1. they should be taken immediately after getting out of bed in the morning before eating or drinking anything.
2. they should be swallowed whole with a glass of water
3. you should remain standing, sitting or walking for 30 to 45 minutes after taking it
4. you should not eat or drink anything but water for 30 to 45 minutes.
So, due to price I would recommend generic fosamax.
Disclaimer: Please consult your doctor or pharmacist concerning side effects, adverse reactions, or drug interactions.

[jebartle]

I was so surprised that there is a generic for atacand (Candesartan) (blood pressure medicine) but is not available in US but you can get it online...Will it be available in US soon...

[graciegirl]

I have a friend who has had a hacking cough for some time and xrays show no problem. I had a similar cough when I started an ace inhibitor for blood pressure and it went away when my prescription was changed to a beta blocker.

She said that the only new medication she has been on is a statin to lower cholesterol. Any valid studies on cough as a side effect to taking a statin medication?

[brostholder]

I am not aware of cough being associated with statins. As you mentioned, when taking Lisinopril or other "ACE" inhibitors, a dry cough can result as a result of a buildup of bradykinins in the system in as many as 20% of those taking them. When this happens, you should consult your doctor.
Here is another tip.....ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril can increase your potassium levels. Many salt substitutes are Potassium Chloride, so taking an ACE inhibitor and using a salt substitute may result in levels of potassium that are too high. Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a salt substitute and using and ACE inhibitor.
Usual Disclaimer: This is meant only as a starting point for discussions with your health care provider. Please consult them for any information on dosing, side effects, adverse reactions or drug interactions.
Barry

[Mikitv]

Love that you have help for all of us with drugs. I left a good pharmaicist back in Ark that was always very helpful. My biggest problem now is trying to figure out what medicare Part D to use. Do have one or two that are generics but the rest has to be figured out.

[Debfrommaine]

Great information on the Cozair!!! Yes, I'd heard about the generic - and you are right on about the price.......October isn't tooooo far off.

Thanks for the tips, keep 'em coming.

[diskman]

Brostholder -
Best of luck with selling your home quickly.

I have just been given Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets for high blood pressure.
Would like you comments. I still question generics and would like your opinion of them.

Bet you will receive many questions for which we will all thank you for your input. :thumbup:

It was causing me to make a hiccup type sound when I talk (weird isn't it):shrug:

[nussbaum]

I worked for an insurance company prior to moving to TV. I did the authorizations for Reclast. Some of the restrictions were: that you must have tried Actonel or similar drug and it failed to stop the osteoporosis, you could not tolerate the side effects or you are a chemotherapy patient. Look at it this way: The cost of the generic being $4/month vs IV infusion at a hospital being much, much more is why insurance wants to make sure you have tried the least expensive first. Cost containment for everyone.

[islandgal]

It was causing me to make a hiccup type sound when I talk (weird isn't it):shrug:
Diskman - Weird and scary! I cannot stop coughing.
What are you taking now?

[Pturner]

Hi Islandgal, Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide are often given separately or in combination to treat high blood pressure. The Lisinopril is in a class of drugs called "angiotensin converting enzyme" or ACE inhibitors. The hydrochlorothiazide is a water pill. When people take them in combination they often take them in the morning so the water pill doesn't get you up in the middle of the night.
A Generic drug has the same active ingredient as the brand name drug. It must also have the same dissolution and bioavailability as the brand name drug. It also must be manufactured under the same rigid manufacturing guidelines as the brand. For most people, there is absolutely no difference between the name brand and the generic version. However, there are 2 instances where one should be cautious. While the active ingredients are the same in the brand and the generic, they often have different inactive ingredients. A patient may rarely be allergic to one of the inactive ingredients in the generic. The other situation where one should be cautious is if you are taking a "narrow therapeutic" drug. These are drugs that are very beneficial in the right dosage, but a small variation in dosage could be dangerously subtherapeutic or too strong for the patient. Such drugs include digoxin, theophylline, synthroid, coumadin and others. With these drugs, patients should not switch back and forth between brand and generics without monitoring. Other than these 2 instances, you can have complete faith in generics.
Disclaimer: Please check with your doctor and/or pharmacist concerning any possible side effects or adverse reactions of drugs you are taking.

Very helpful to know, as I am prescribed synthroid. Thanks for the great info!

[brostholder]

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback!!! I will continue to post tips as I think of them. In the meantime, I will do my best to answer any questions you may have on your medications. My wife and I can't wait to get down there full time and enjoy our new home in Kingfisher Villas!!!
Barry