In general, to help prevent vitamin D deficiency, a safe bet is to take 1000-2000 IU/ day of vitamin D for adults and 400IU/day for infants and kids.  Supplements are usually the best deal because it is hard to get enough vitamin D through diet -a glass of milk only has 100IU!  But if you are deteremined to increase vitamin D levels by diet -milk, fish, fortified food, egg yolk and fish liver oil.

Just a note here -vitamin D is available as D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol) -both are okay but D3 is more potent. 

When vitamin D levels are way too low, some patients will be started on prescription vitamin D 50,000 IU.  These supplements are usually taken weekly until levels normalize -then they are taken monthly.

The problem here is that physicians start patients on weekly vitamin D 50,000IU capsules and forget to change them to monthly…which can lead to vitamin D toxicity. 

Vitamin D toxicity is rare.  Symptoms consist of fatigue, nausea/vomiting, weakness and kidney problems.  If you have been taking vitamin D 50,000 IU weekly for more than 4 months -give your physician a call and ask them to check on your vitamin D levels.

Are you taking a vitamin D supplement?  We would love to hear about it! Go ahead and leave us a comment

Want more info on -Boric Acid for Yeast Infections.

Want to learn about how to save some money at the pharmacy?  90 Ways to Save on Your Prescription Drugs -totally free, ya’ll!

Inspired by the many calls I’ve received at work from ladies inquiring about when they should take their birth control pill again after taking the “morning after pill”, I’ve posted the following video:

So, if you haven’t taken Plan B One-Step or Next Choice yet, it’s best to follow the package insert directions that came with your birth control pills instead of taking the “morning after pill” - the birth control pill is more effective!  If you’ve thrown out the package insert, just call your pharmacist and they should be able to help you out.

If you’ve already taken the emergency contraceptive, resume taking your birth control pill as soon as possible and continue to take it daily as you’ve been directed.  Remember, there are no studies showing how levonorgestrel (the hormone in Plan B One-Step and Next Choice) interacts with any of the available oral contraceptives, so you may want to use a back-up contraceptive method for a good 7 days just in case -depends how much of a worrywart you are!

Let me know if you need me to clear things up a little more by leaving a comment below or e-mailing me at Cate@getpharmacyadvice.com. 

Last, but not least, check out our video course on how to save money on your prescription medications.  No worries, it’s free…enjoy!

First came hormone replacement medications.  They are exactly what they sound like -medications that a patient takes to replace hormones that the body is no longer making.  This is a bit of a simplification, but you get the picture.  A good example of this is using hormone replacement therapy as a way to replenish estrogen levels that have decreased during/after menopause.

Most replacement hormones are derived from plants and animals-a substance from a plant or animal is synthesized into a chemical that will act similarly to a hormone in the human body.  For example, Premarin (an estrogen replacement medication) is derived from the urine from a pregnant mare…odd but true!

Then bioidentical hormones entered the scene.  Bioidentical hormones simply mean that the hormone replacements have the same chemical structure as hormones found in the human body.  The thought process here is that if the hormone replacements were more chemically similar to the hormones in the body, then they would work better and be safer.  It makes sense in theory but no studies have been able to prove that this is true.

Contrary to popular belief, bioidentical hormones are not actually collected from humans.  They are derived from plants and animals and are made synthetically.  So, all hormone replacements (even bioidentical hormones) are synthetic.   

Recently, there has been a surge in popularity in compounded hormones.  These are hormones that are prepared as a specific strength for an individual patient at a compounding pharmacy.  Some think compounded hormones are better because they can be customized for each patient.   

Drug companies do not like the idea of compounded hormones.  They prefer you buy their commercially available drugs (which are limited in available strengths).  For example, if you take Prometrium (bioidentical progesterone), Solvay Pharmaceuticals (the manufacturer) makes a profit, but if you have bioidentical progesterone compounded at your local pharmacy, Solvay Pharmaceuticals does not make any money.  

Overall, hormone therapies are equally effective and have an equal level of risk.    

This was bioidentical hormones in a nutshell.  I will definitely go more indepth.  I would love to hear your feelings on the issue -please leave a comment or shoot us an email!

The initial post, ”Is Nitrofurantoin Safe to Use During Pregnancy?” was viewed by a blog follower in New Zealand who is currently pregnant and was prescribed nitrofurantoin (Yup, that’s right, GPA.com has traveled across the world…wicked exciting to me!).

The soon-to-be mom was concerned for her baby’s safety, so she e-mailed the following message:

Hi im 34 weeks pregnant and my midwife have me on 4 x 50mg a day for 7 days as i have a uti and im very worried about the effects i will have on my babies development and wellbeing. My midwife said its very safe and that my baby will be fine but as this is my first pregnancy im worried as i dont know anyone close that has had uti  antibiotics during pregnancy and feel scared as i dont want to harm my baby in any way. Am feeling a bit scared as its not 100% sure. What do you think.

My response was:

Hi Jane Doe (or whatever name you’d like to insert!),

I definitely understand your concern about taking medications during your pregnancy, especially since it’s your first time through such an experience! 

You have the right idea…best to to avoid taking any medications, but sometimes the benefits outweigh the risks.   

I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as I believe you live in another country (New Zealand? based on your e-mail address), but they have setup categories for the use of medications in pregnancy. 

 The categories include A, B, C, D, and X, with A being the safest category on down to X being extremely dangerous.    Nitrofurantoin falls into category B: Animal studies have shown no evidence of risk to the fetus, but there are not enough studies in humans to come to the same conclusion OR animal studies have shown risk BUT there are adequate studies in humans showing no risk to the fetus.  

 The fact that nitrofurantoin is a category B based on the FDA guidelines would make give me great comfort if I were in your situation!   

 If you were at full term (between 38 to 42 weeks) or could go into labor at any moment, there is concern that your newborn could experience what’s called hemolytic anemia (not enough red blood cells in the blood).  

I know that sounds scary, but this hemolytic anemia was reported in mothers with G-6PD deficiency (a rare condition that you’d probably know if you had), which can also occur in the fetus.    

The best news about this chance of hemolytic anemia is that it is extremely rare….the risk is 0.0004%!   A comprehensive review of available studies on treatment of UTIs in pregnancy has shown nitrofurantoin (and other antibiotics) to be very effective and complications to be rare.   

With all of this being said, I agree with your midwife, and if I were in your place, I would take the nitrofurantoin.  To me, the risk of not treating the infection outweighs the risk that nitrofurantoin poses to the fetus, especially because the infection can become worse and lead to undesirable outcomes.    

I hope I have been of at least some help and that you can use this information as a way to help you decide what’s best for your situation.    

Have a great night (or in your case, day!) and thanks for getting in touch,

Cate   

END OF RESPONSE!

Any comments? Questions? Concerns? Leave a comment below or e-mail me at Cate@getpharmacyadvice.com!

Be sure to check out our guide on how to save money on your medications…it’s totally free and full of helpful tips!

Thanks to all for visiting GetPharmacyAdvice.com…come again!

Here’s the question:

I’m a guy and I’m wondering if taking those pills continuously is unhealthy?

Don’t you have to excrete the unfertilized egg at the end of each month since it is not implanted?

And my answer is:

This is a great question! 

First, the main mechanism by which birth control pills work is by keeping  ovulation from even happening.  This means an unfertilized egg is not present and thereby, does not need to be excreted.  Just a little extra info for you, the birth control pill may also prevent pregnancy by:

• Making the lining of the uterus less suitable for implantation.
• Changing the mucus around the cervix, making it difficult for the sperm to travel to the uterus.

Also, a monthly menstrual cycle is not needed when a woman is taking the pill because it keeps the lining of the uterus from thickening. Therefore, monthly bleeding to slough off the thickened lining is not necessary. It is safe for a woman to skip her period! Hope this helps!

There you have it, short and sweet.

Any other questions on this matter?  Please let me know by commenting below or e-mailing me at Cate@getpharmacyadvice.com. 

Also, our video course on the many ways you can save money on your prescription drugs is still out there, and it’s free for all.  Be sure to get your hands on it by clicking here!

Now there is a new rumor out there on the world wide web about taking Bayer Crystals instead of aspirin for the prevention of heart attacks.

I am sure you are now holding your breath to see if the rumor is true or false…..it is….FALSE!

The Bayer Crystals do not work better to prevent heart attacks.  In addition, the Bayer Crystals could be harmful in a person having a heart attack for a couple of reasons:

1.  The Crystals contain 65mg of caffeine and

2. The Crystals contain 850mg of aspirin – much more than the recommended 325mg! (no, more is not better)

***Take care- most aspirin powders (like Goodys and BC) also have high levels of aspirin and caffeine***

If you would like to learn more about aspirin please see …Baby Aspirin Decoded,  Baby Aspirin for the Prevention of Heart Attack and Stroke.

If you would like to learn about how to save some serious dough -please see our *FREE* video course with manual 90 Ways to Save Money on Your Prescription Medications

As a result of some confusion over the wording on the packaging of the various Plan B products, I decided to do this quick video (the wording on the box says “Rx only for women under age 17″):

So, just to clarify, Plan B, Plan B One-Step, and Next Choice (generic for Plan B), can be purchased without a prescription by patients 17 years of age and older.

Any questions? Any questions at all?  If so, definitely leave your inquiries below or e-mail me at Cate@getpharmacyadvice.com!

P.S. Don’t forget to check out our video course made to help you saving money on your prescription meds.  Best part – it’s absolutely FREE!  Next best part – you can get instant access by clicking here!

Catch y’all later!

I figured a few articles would help!  Here is the first one -please be on the look out for the next article: OTC Treatment for Acne. 

How is acne formed?

Our skin has hair follicles with attached sebaceous glands.  The sebaceous glands release sebum that travels to the skin surface and spreads over the skin to slow water loss. 

When there is too much sebum and dead skin cells, a blockage can occur.  When the block happens, it can attract more oil and cells that can lead to inflammation.  Bacteria (usually Propionibacterium acnes) can worsen the whole situation.

Why is acne mostly on face, back and chest?

Acne is found in these areas because sebaceous glands are more common in these areas.

What can make acne worse?

1.  Increased hydration -this can be caused by an environment of high humidity or tight fitting clothes that restrict air movement.  When the skin is too hydrated, it slows the sloughing of dead skin -leading to acne.

2. Decreased hydration -this is more common.  When the skin is over dried, more sebum is released which can lead to acne.  So, it is a balancing act!  Drinking plenty of water and using facial moisturizers can help balance skin hydration.

3.  Dirt, irritation -this is kind of a given.  The more dirt you are around and the more irritation (head bands, helmets, chin resting on hands) the more likely to worsen acne.

4.  Cosmetics -cosmetics and hair products can clog pores.  It is important to avoid oil based products (ie lanolin, cocoa butter).

5.  Stress -although it is rare to cause acne it can most definitely worsen it.

6. Hormones -premenstrual flare ups!  This can also include puberty in general -when puberty begins androgenic hormones increase in girls and boys.  These hormones increase sebum release which can lead to acne!

7.  Medications -Some medicines can worsen acne.  Androgens, corticosteroids and some birth controls are some of the drugs.  Interestingly enough, some birth controls can actual make acne better!

What are typical forms of acne?

1. Closed Comedones -these are the “whiteheads” little bumps -no real inflammation involved and are usually skin coloured.

2. Open Comedones-these are the “blackheads” -they are whiteheads that have been exposed to air which causes oxidation that leads to the black colouring.

3. Papules -these are the pimples that are showing some inflammation -they are usually red and irritated looking but no real “head” to the pimple yet -usually these will progress into pustules…

4. Pustules -these are the ones that you want to “pop” (please don’t -it can lead to worse acne and scarring).  They are red, often tender and have the “head of pus”.

5. Nodules/Cysts -These are the biggies that are deep in the skin.  They can be painful and itchy.  These (and pustules) are the most likely to cause scarring.

There you have it -an acne overview.  I am going to write my next article on how to treat acne with over the counter medications. 

If you have any home remedies that you use to help prevent and/or treat acne please leave us a comment or send us an email!

And we would like to invite you to watch our FREE video series about How You Can Save Money on Your Prescription Drugs!

Sounds like a dream come true, right ladies?  The only catch is these birth control pills are quite pricey, even with the help of your prescription insurance (there are exceptions with certain insurances).  Seasonale does have a couple of generics on the market, but even those can put a dent in your wallet!    

But what you may not know is there’s a cheaper way to take advantage of this whole 4 periods a year deal.  Watch the video below to find out what I’m talking about!

Just to clarify:

• If you are prescribed a birth control pack that contains 28 tablets, be sure to skip over the last row of pills (the “sugar” pills) and continue your daily regimen by jumping right to first tablet of your next new pack…DO NOT skip any days or take any of those “sugar” pills! 
• Be sure your doctor writes the directions on your birth control prescription as “Take one tablet a day continuously for 3 months.”  Continuously is the key word here because this way your pharmacist knows you’ll need a new pack in 3 weeks (21 days) versus 4 weeks (28 days).  This may sound like useless information, but trust me, we need to know because we have to submit this information to your insurance company so they’ll pay for your next pack when you need it!   
• This only works for Monophasic birth control packs…the packs where all of the pills are the same color (not a different color every week).

Sound like a good idea to you? Ever given it a try? Thinking about starting Seasonale or Seasonique, but looking for a cheaper option? Let me know your thoughts by commenting below! 

While you’re on the warpath of finding cheaper options for prescription drugs, check out our FREE video course that will help you do just that!