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Flu Shots Available; Battle Colds Naturally; Compounding Answers to Chronic Pain Problems
Column #3, 10/98
by Jake Mossman, Owner of Taos
Pharmacy
Flu Shots Available at Taos Pharmacy. Recent years have seen the reemergence or continued prevalence of vaccine-preventable diseases in the US such as measles, pneumococcal disease, and influenza despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines and federally subsidized programs for vaccination. Several problems have been identified as reasons for the failure to prevent these diseases despite the availability of effective vaccines. Often insurance carriers do not cover vaccinations. Also, the need to schedule appointments with doctors during busy clinic hours creates a barrier. TAOS PHARMACY, with its focus on preventative medicine, offers vaccination services including flu shots.
Assessment of vaccination status and administration of vaccines for adults at age 50 is recommended. Tetanus and diphtheria vaccine should be brought up to date, and people at high risk should have at least one pneumococcal vaccination in their lifetimes and should be vaccinated for flu every fall. High-risk patients include those over 65 and those with chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disease. Many adults need "childhood" vaccines that have been developed recently or that need boosters to maintain effectiveness. Adults who have never had chicken pox should consider receiving the two-dose varicella vaccine series because the disease is more serious in adults. A review of risk factors for hepatitis A is also recommended for adults; this is also a two-shot series.
Recommendations for adolescents (11-12 years old) include varicella and hepatitis B series, a second dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus booster, and flu, pneumococcal, and hepatitis A for high risk patients.
Becky Mossman, BSN, RN, can administer vaccines to bring you up to date with the recommendations for your age group at TAOS PHARMACY. We do need an order from your doctor to administer vaccines. We will help you determine what you need, request the order from your doctor, and help you maintain a current record. Call Becky at 758-3342 for more information.
Battle Colds Naturally. The start of school generally signals the beginning of the cold and flu season. Viruses are much more likely to be spread when large groups of people work in close contact. There are ways of reducing your chances of catching colds.
| Most viruses are spread by direct contact; washing your hands frequently can help reduce the chances of transmission.
Most heating systems dry out our already dry air; drinking plenty of water will help keep the cells of your respiratory tract moist. The cells lining your respiratory tract are your first line of defense against viruses, keeping them moist and healthy is important to your resistance. A humidifier can also help keep your respiratory tract moist and healthy. It is important to get adequate rest as your immune system is affected by fatigue. Good nutrition helps maintain our immune system. Eat plenty of grains and raw vegetables. Take antioxidant vitamins and supplements. Take echinacea and garlic supplements to boost your immune system when you know you are more at risk for exposure to viruses. Use zinc lozenges at the first sign of a scratchy throat or tickle in your nose. Four lozenges dissolved in the mouth daily for two days can help you resist infection. Children's formulations in lollipop form have recently been introduced for a number of remedies including homeopathic zinc. |
Cold symptoms are often confused with allergy symptoms or mistaken for bacterial infections. Your pharmacist can help you differentiate between these conditions to select the appropriate treatment. At TAOS PHARMACY we suggest you come in BEFORE you are ill so we can help you stay healthier through the winter.
Come by to check out the latest in homeopathic remedies: Kid's Zinc Lozenges, Cough Pops, Lollicough, Lollicold, and Allergenze Lozenges. These are all available in Taos at TAOS PHARMACY. Email us at jake@taospharmacy.com.
Compounding Answers to Chronic Pain Problems. Patients who suffer from chronic pain from illnesses such as cancer and traumatic injury often have special needs for long term pain control. Problems that arise from long-term pain medication use include tolerance and inability to take oral medications. The compounding specialists at TAOS PHARMACY can offer answers to these problems.
Opioids such as morphine sulfate are often the drugs of choice to treat chronic pain. As pain increases, so do the doses of morphine that are necessary to offer relief. Tolerance and progression of the disease are contributing factors to the need for higher doses. Dextromethorphan, a widely used OTC antitussive, has been shown to effectively block tolerance and offer pain relief at lower, safer doses. Compounded capsules of dextromethorphan and morphine can offer effective pain relief at much lower morphine doses. Often commercially prepared narcotics contain acetaminophen or aspirin. Doses of narcotic necessary to control chronic pain often requires a toxic dose of these additional ingredients making them unavailable to patients needing high doses. Compounded preparations of the narcotic without the added ingredients can help make these narcotics available to the patient.
Patients suffering from diseases of the mouth, throat, stomach or intestines often cannot use oral pain medication. Alternative compounded dosage forms such as nasal sprays, suppositories, lozenges, and topical gels can provide good absorption of the active ingredients without going through the GI tract. We have formulas for meperidine (Demerol) nasal spray, morphine troche (sublingual lozenges), ketoprofen in PLO gel, and hydromorphone (Dilauded) suppositories. We also have formulas for products that have been discontinued such as Cafergot PB suppositories and Ergostat sublingual tablets.
If you or someone you know is suffering from chronic pain and you are searching for answers to pain control problems, call the compounding pharmacists at TAOS PHARMACY. They may be able to help you find an answer.
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