Want to learn more about iron?  See Iron Deficiency Anemia in Women.

Want to learn some more about vitamin D?  We have two articles: Vitamin D and Vitamin D and Kids.  If you have another vitamin that you want to learn more about -just holla at us and we will be glad to give you the 4-1-1!

I thought these studies were interesting concerning using elderberry extract to help treat the flu.  

Just a note on the dosing:

               Liquid: 15 ml four times a day for 3 -5 days

               Lozenges: 1 four times a day for 2 days

Generally speaking, the trouble with natural remedies, herbal meds and vitamins is that they are not controlled by the FDA.  This means that they do not have to prove that they work nor do they have to actually give you what they promise on the label. 

The reason there are few studies is because there just isn’t that much money in it….why pay millions of dollars to see if vitamin C really helps treat colds?

This doesn’t mean that the natural remedies do not work…on the contrary, how can billions of mom’s throughout time be wrong?  

We would love to hear about your natural or home remedies success stories -please email us or leave a comment.

We would also love for you to learn how to save money on all your meds -please go to 90 Ways to Save on Your Drugs.

The study had kids from 2 to 18 years old with upper respiratory tract infections and nighttime cough.  There were three branches in th study -no treatment, honey or dextromethorphan.  The parents then filled out a questionnaire about how the kids cough and sleep improved.

Granted, it was a small, subjective study but it found that honey worked better than dextromethorphan!  Only proving what moms have been saying for decades

Why does honey work?  The exact way how honey works is unclear.  There are a couple of theories.  Honey is a known antioxidant which may help cold symptoms.  The sweetness may also help.  Sweetness causes reflex salivation and secretion that can soothe the pharynx and larynx.  The sweetness may also work with the central nervous system to decrease the need to cough. 

How do I give it to my child? 

Kids under 12 months should not be given honey because of the risk of botulism. 

2-5 years old: 1/2 teaspoon 30 minutes before bedtime

6-11 years old: 1 teaspoon 30 minutes before bedtime

12-18 years old: 2 teaspoons 30 minutes before bedtime

The truth be told, dextromethorphan doesn’t work that well.  Next time I have a dry cough, I will most definitely be taking honey before bedtime -plus yum!

Please leave us a comment about your experience and home remedies!

What a wonderful holiday weekend it has been.  I was lucky enough to have Thanksgiving Day off, including this weekend, so I’ve taken advantage of the chill time!  

Spare time has been plentiful, so I made a quick clip on what a live attenuated vaccine is…you can thank my mom for this one.

Here ya go!

So, if you didn’t catch the idea in the video, I’ll give it to you in words now. 

A live attenuated vaccine is made of real live germs (bacteria or viruses) that are grown in a cell culture where they are well nourished.  Researchers grow the germs over and over again in order to weaken them so they cannot produce serious disease.  Best beware though, they can still cause infection! 

The process of growing the virus or bacteria over and over again is called passing.  The weakened germs that have gone through multiple passages are what’s used in the vaccines. 

Examples of live attenuated vaccines are: MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella), Oral Polio vaccine (OPV), Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine,  and the FluMist vaccine (nasal flu vaccine spray). 

There’s a nasal vaccine spray for the H1N1 virus, though I haven’t seen it around, am not sure of the name, and don’t know if it’s available yet – I’ll definitely get more details on that one for you! 

It’s Christmas tree decorating time now so gotta run.  Send some feedback and questions to me at Cate@getpharmacyadvice.com.

I know you’ve heard this before, but I will mention it again - we have a video course out there that explains how you can save money on your prescription medications.  The best part is that it’s totally FREE!  Click here to get instant access. 

Enjoy!

General flu info:

What is the Swine Flu?

Catie’s Experience with the Flu

Treatment for the flu:

Elderberry Extract for the Flu -Natural treatment for the seasonal flu

All About Tamiflu -quick video overview about Tamiflu

What is Tamiflu? -article with some more info about Tamiflu

Tamiflu and Prevention

Tamiflu and Your Child

Tamiflu for Treatment

Relenza -the Other Flu Treatment 

Help with Flu Symptoms:

Relief for Cold/Flu and Allergy Symptoms

How to Treat Dry Cough

Honey for Dry Cough in Kids

Have any questions about the flu?  Go ahead and ask us!

Just wanted to add a piece to our “All About the Flu” series. 

This time around the subject was none other than myself rather than one of you!  I decided I’d fill you in on my very own experience with the flu.

Now, I know not everybody’s situation is the same, but in general, the flu runs a similar course among those that it inflicts.

Here’s my story:

Once again, I want to stress that I know how serious the flu can be, especially for those who have underlying health conditions or a compromised immune system.  I’m not trying to water down your encounter with the flu.  I know it sucks and you probably feel like crap (I did), but so long as you treat yourself well, you’ll make a full recovery in no time.

Thanks for checking in! 

Oh yes, it’s still not too late to get our FREE video course on how to save money on your prescription drugs.  Get it here, get it now!

Love your weekend.

 Here is a picture of the Relenza inhaler:

We have a bunch more articles -just go to All About the Flu to get all the info!

Please take a moment and leave us a comment -we want to hear from you!

Want to learn 90 ways to save money on your prescription drugs?? Well, here you go – a free video course and manual!

What the heck is Tamiflu??

We put this video together to give you the quick 4-1-1 about Tamiflu…

We also have more detailed articles about Tamiflu…

If you have a family member with the flu and want to know if you should take Tamiflu for prevention, read Tamiflu for Prevention of H1N1 Virus.

If your child has the flu and you need info about Tamiflu for kids, read Tamiflu and Your Child.

If you want to know the nitty-gritty about the swine flu, read What is the Swine Flu?

If you want to know more about using Tamiflu to help treat and/or prevent the flu, read Use of Tamiflu for Prevention and Treatment of the Flu.

Lastly (for now), if you want to know more detailed info on Tamiflu, read What is Tamiflu?

One last lastly, all of the links can be found at All About the Flu.

Well, by now I am sure you are all Tamiflu’d out…but if you have any questions or comments please leave them below!  And of course if you want to learn how to save money on drugs -we have a free video course for you!

So our TV went kaput for the 3rd time the other day (this is after being serviced twice)…looks like we’ve been spending a little too much time with the tube.  It’s just so darn easy to follow the latest shows with the invention of Tevo and DVR!  Hey, you can’t blame me -it’s a nice way to suspend reality, I think   With that being said, it’s time for a new TV!

I guess I’m not really here to discuss my latest issue with the TV, but rather to share my latest video clip with you.  I made this one after receiving a question about using Tamiflu to prevent contracting the H1N1 virus (aka Swine Flu). 

Check it out!

While you’re at it, you should check out our FREE video course on the many ways you can save money on your prescription medications. Watch it, use it, love it!

Thanks for the support!

P.S. To make it easy- All About the Flu has links to all of our flu articles.

The flu season is in full swing, so, by now, I am sure you have heard of the “flu drug” Tamiflu (oseltamivir).  It’s an oral antiviral medication that has been on the market since 1999.  It first gained popularity in 2005 with a well-publicized shortage due to a scarcity of star anise –yes the spice!  It is used in the production of Tamiflu.  Now, amidst the 2009/2010 flu season, Tamiflu has become a household name.

We have received a ton of questions all about Tamiflu.  So, I thought I’d write a little about Tamiflu and your child.   

When treating children, the dose is weight-based and will be taken twice a day for five days to treat the flu and once a day for ten days for prophylaxis. 

Tamiflu comes in capsules and suspension form.  While suspension makes it easy to give specialized dosing to kids, it does present a couple of issues. 

The first complication is the recent FDA warning about dosing errors.  The confusion begins with the physician and pharmacist often giving the patient directions in milliliters whereas the original packaging has a dispenser marked with milligrams.  To avoid confusion, it is best to double-check the directions and dispenser before leaving the pharmacy. 

The second challenge, due to the drug’s popularity, is the short supply of the suspension form, with southern states most affected.  According to Roche, the company that manufacturers Tamiflu, it takes equal production power to make a liquid treatment for one child or enough capsules to treat 10 people. Therefore, Roche is focusing on making the capsule form.  

For older children, the capsules can be broken open and mixed with a sugary liquid, like chocolate syrup or applesauce, at home.  The pharmacy staff can also compound the suspension easily enough by mixing the contents of the capsules with a sugary syrup.  So, it should come as no surprise that most kids do not mind the taste of the suspension! 

Tamiflu is usually well tolerated by children.  Most side effects will occur within the first two days of beginning the treatment.  Some common side effects are dizziness, headache, nightmares, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.  Tamiflu can be taken with food which may decrease the belly symptoms.  

Currently, the CDC is highly recommending prophylaxis and treatment for “higher risk” kids only.  These are kids that the flu can lead to more serious illnesses and complications.  Higher risk groups include children under two years, two – four year olds with history of asthma and immunocompromised kids.

The CDC is recommending that for the general child population, the use of Tamiflu is not necessary.  The truth is that for the average kid, Tamiflu will only reduce sick time by one day –not the cure all it was once thought to be.  Additionally, with the widespread use of Tamiflu, pockets of antiviral resistant flu virus have already been observed. 

So, the question remains, Should my child receive Tamiflu?    Does the benefit outweigh the negative side effects and increased risk of resistance?  For the average child, the answer is No.  Unless your child is in the “higher risk” category, the benefits do not outweigh the risks.

Just a note: If you want to read more about the flu and flu treatment -see our All About the Flu series

One more note….we are offering you a totally free video course -90 Ways to Save Money on Your Prescription Drugs!