Windsor pharmacy plans open house and medication review

WINDSOR, Colo. (July 1, 2011) – Pill sorters come in all shapes and colors, and they help you keep medications in the right location. But they don’t provide the answers you need about the drugs you take.

Pharmacist Kari Seay, manager of the Windsor Community Pharmacy, says it’s especially important for people on multiple medications to be aware of potential drug interactions. To find answers to medication questions, the public is invited to the Windsor Community Pharmacy open house, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 15. Pharmacists will be on hand to visit with patients on a first come, first served basis. The event is part of the pharmacy’s 10th anniversary celebration.

“How do you know the pill you take for one condition won’t react with the pill you take for another condition,” she said. “Some people have additional health concerns.” You also should know how those drugs mix with certain foods and dietary supplements, she added.

According a 2007 report on medication safety from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, two-thirds of patients who see a physician leave with at least one drug prescription. They have plenty of potential for interactions.

The big concern with food is how it could affect the rate at which your body absorbs the medication or if it will allow absorption.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, alcohol, grapefruit juice, licorice and chocolate are four foods or drinks that can adversely interact with medication.

Alcohol is a given. If you are on medications, avoid alcohol which can increase or decrease the effect of many drugs.

Grapefruit juice interacts with certain blood-pressure medications and with drugs used to prevent organ transplant rejection. It also interacts with drugs used to treat insomnia, anti-malaria medication and anti-anxiety medication.

Treats like licorice and chocolate can be a problem with medications. For licorice, a concern is its effect on certain heart failure and abnormal heart rhythm medications. Meanwhile, chocolate interacts with MAO inhibitors used to treat depression and also will affect Ritalin and Ambien.

Dietary supplements include things you eat or drink that contain herbs, vitamins, botanicals and amino acids. “Many people turn to supplements to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Supplements such as St. John’s Wort, Ginseng and vitamin E can produce a reaction with many common medications,” Seay says.

To help avoid problems, write down the names and dosages of your medications. Keep the list with you in case of an emergency and give a copy to your spouse or loved ones. If you are hospitalized, having that list will be invaluable to the health care providers.

Also, be open with your physician. Disclose the dietary supplements you take and whether you drink alcohol or take illegal drugs. “Sometimes patients don’t want to mention those things, but for your health you must be honest. You won’t hurt your doctor’s feelings, and he or she won’t judge you,” Seay said.

The FDA offers additional tips to avoid adverse drug reactions:

• Read drug labels carefully.
• Learn about the warnings for all the drugs you take.
• Keep medications in original containers so you can easily identify them.
• Ask your doctor what to avoid when you start a new medication. (Food, drinks, supplements and other medications.)
• Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking an over-the-counter drug if you take prescription medications.
• Use a single pharmacy to fill your prescriptions.
• Keep your health care professionals informed about everything that you take.

Source: Institute of Safe Medication Practices, www.ismp.org

Sidebar:
Windsor Community Pharmacy invites community members to celebrate its 10th anniversary, meet staff and physicians of the Medical Arts Centre of Windsor and tour the facility from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 15.

Windsor Community Pharmacy opened in 2001 to meet pharmaceutical needs of Windsor residents.

The pharmacy is in Medical Arts Centre of Windsor, 1300 Main St. They offer delivery to Windsor and Severance. For more information, call (970) 674-3160.

In addition to the medication review, staff members will provide refreshments and information on the Medical Arts Centre of Windsor.
Other services provided at the Medical Arts Centre of Windsor include:

• Breastfeeding clinic
• Laboratory services
• Diagnostic radiology
• Family care, including child and family wellness
• Women’s care including OBGYN
• Sports medicine and Physical Therapy
• Orthopedics
• Endocrinology
• Gastrointestinal Care
• Internal Medicine
• Anticoagulation services
• Same-day appointments and walk-in access available.

To learn more about Medical Arts Centre of Windsor, call (970) 686-5646 or visit www.BannerHealth.com/BMG-MedicalArtsWindsor.