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Tips from Our Campus Pharmacy
Drug Smart Pharmacy




Allergy Season is Here

Spring is here, and many customers are coming in to see us with symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (allergies). Allergies happen when your body encounters something foreign that it perceives as a threat and certain cells in the immune system release a chemical called histamine. Here is a quick review of the common products on the shelf for treating allergies.

For managing a mild itchy, runny nose without drugs there are saline rinses like NeilMed’s squirt bottle or Hydrasense. Cool compresses on the eyes can help with itching too.

Antihistamine tablets are the most common type of drug treatment for more bothersome allergy symptoms. These fall into “1st generation” (diphenhydramine or Benadryl, for example) or the newer “2nd generation” (loratidine/Claritin, desloratidine/Aerius, cetirizine/Reactine and fexofenadine/Allegra). Both types of these drugs work by blocking the receptors that detect histamine. Studies have shown that they are both equally effective, but some people report that one works better for them than another. One strategy is to try a small box of one type and, if you’re not too impressed, try a different kind. One word of caution: the older antihistamines like Benadryl are less expensive, but they come with side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth that are virtually nonexistent with the 2nd generation of antihistamines. Also note that the versions labeled “D” or that claim to deal with nasal congestion usually have added pseudoephedrine. This is a stimulant that can interfere with sleep and is banned in organized athletics. If you’re not sure what to choose, just ask the pharmacist.

Other treatments available include prescription nasal sprays and tablets, and over the counter nasal sprays. Avoid the latter unless you need immediate relief in order to sleep or catch a flight: using decongestant sprays for more than a few days can cause the congestion to become worse in the long run. Prescription sprays are usually topical steroids so they don’t cause this problem.

To alleviate itchy, watery eyes there are topical drops such as Naphcon-A. There are many brands on the market, but a number of them contain only an ingredient to treat the redness in the eye and not the allergy. One product called Cromolyn (which also comes as a nasal spray) is excellent for preventing allergies; the catch is that it only works if applied frequently (around 4 times daily) and started at least a few days prior to allergen exposure.

If you have any questions about allergies or how these treatments might affect the medication you are currently taking, visit us here on campus in the Queen's Centre and a pharmacist will answer your questions.



May Newsletter
Spring cleaning? Start with your medicine cabinet.
 
Has the new season inspired you to start cleaning the house from top to bottom? Follow these quick suggestions to clean out the medicine cabinet and improve your health at the same time:
 
  • Bundle up any old and expired medicines and bring them into the pharmacy. We will dispose of them for free in an environmentally safe manner.
  • Is your medicine cabinet in the bathroom? Time for a change. The bathroom has humidity levels that can damage some medications. A better place to store them is on a shelf in your kitchen or bedroom (high enough to be out of reach of children, of course).
  • Are you getting the vitamins that you need on a daily basis? One supplement we often recommend is calcium, especially for people who don’t get enough of the mineral in their diet or are taking medications that affect bone density. If you are not sure what supplements you might need, it’s best to speak with a pharmacist.
  • Do you take more than one medication? Take some time to make sure that everything is working together. You can make an appointment to speak with one of our pharmacists about everything in your medicine cabinet including vitamins, over-the-counter medications and prescriptions. We will consider how both medication and lifestyle modifications can help improve your overall health. At the same time, we will analyze your medications, diet and medical conditions to ensure that everything fits together. The best part is that you can make an appointment with us for a “medicine cabinet review” at your convenience and free of charge as part of a new program in Ontario.
  • It’s time to check the expiry date on last year’s sunscreen. At the same time, re-evaluate your brand to ensure that the SPF level is appropriate: SPF 30 is the rating recommended for most adults and children by the American Academy of Dermatology. It should also state “broad spectrum” coverage and contain some combination of avobenzone (Parsol 1789), Mexoryl, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (these are excellent UVA blockers). If you’re not sure which sun protection product is the best for you, just ask the pharmacist.



February Newsletter:
Travel Medicine – Keep Healthy while on Vacation

It’s February, and many Canadians are already thinking about a trip to warmer climates. If you go, the time will fly by so you don’t want to spend any part it sick in your hotel room. Fortunately, there are ways to prepare for a trip abroad that will help minimize the chances of getting sick. A little preparation can also help ensure that you have what you need if you aren’t so lucky.

The first step is to visit a nurse and get the Hepatitis A vaccine if you have not already been immunized (contact your physician’s office for details). If you are travelling to an area where malaria is a concern, you also need to book a physician appointment to get a prescription for malaria prevention medication. If your trip is going to extend beyond 2 weeks, you should see the travel medicine clinic well in advance (visit your doctor or KFLA Public Health). Cost is usually around $75 plus the cost of uninsured vaccines.

For more information about vaccines required or suggested for travel, check out http://www.travelhealth.gc.ca which has a great drop-down menu that allows you to select your destination for more information. Take note especially if you plan to travel to a country that requires you to have proof of yellow fever vaccination before entering. In Kingston, the YF vaccine is available only by appointment from the Health Unit on Portsmouth Avenue so it requires a bit of planning ahead to get it in time for travel.

One of the most common travel ailments for Canadians is diarrhea due to food-borne illness. Some prevention tips include:
  • Eat food that has been boiled, well cooked (served piping hot), or peeled
  • Drink only sealed bottled water or other sealed commercial beverages
  • Avoid ingesting tap water accidently through sources like ice cubes or the water you use to brush your teeth: use bottled water only!
  • Make sure all dairy products are pasteurized
  • Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer before eating
  • There is an oral vaccine that can be taken (ideally at least 2 weeks before travel) to prevent infection from E. Coli toxin, the most common cause of food-borne illness. It is available without a prescription from the pharmacist but some drug plans cover all or part of it if a physician prescribes it. It is an effective vaccine for cholera as well.

What to do if you are unlucky enough to experience traveler’s diarrhea:
  • If symptoms are relatively mild, rehydrate with water and use anti-diarrhea medication if you choose to
  • For more severe symptoms get some rest and let the illness run its course, plus use rehydration salts (see below) and seek medical attention if possible
  • If there is significant pain, fever or blood in the stool seek medical attention immediately (you can also have your doctor prescribe a course of antibiotics for such an emergency to take with you; if so, have the pharmacist record the expiry date on the bottle in case you don’t need them this time)

What to pack so you have what you need when you need it:
  • Your usual prescriptions, an epinephrine auto-injector if you have one and vitamins (use the containers from the pharmacy) and an extra pair of glasses
  • Over-the-counter medicine for cold symptoms, diarrhea, constipation, allergies, sore throat, acid reflux, yeast infection and headaches
  • Creams such as insect repellant, sunscreen, antifungal and anti-itch preparations
  • Earplugs for swimming in non-chlorinated water
  • Oral rehydration salts such as Gastrolyte packets, Nuun tablets, or a prepared mixture of ½ teaspoon salt with 6 teaspoons of sugar that can be mixed with 1L of bottled water and consumed within 24 hours (don’t use regular sports drinks because they have too much sugar, unless they state “low-sugar”)

There is always a pharmacist at Drug Smart Pharmacy (Located in the Queen’s Centre) to help you get everything you need in time for your trip. We also have prepared kits with all of the above items put together for you. All we ask is that you have a great time, and bring a little of that sun home with you.