Tag Archives: pharmacy

More Pharmacy Lingo

The drug store sometimes seems to have a language all its own. What’s the difference between a capsule, a caplet, and a gelcap? Does it matter which one I pick? Will it change how the medication is delivered to my body, or how quickly it works? Here’s a list of pharmacy terms you might encounter — when trying to pick an over-the-counter treatment for a problem, or when picking up a prescription. First, let’s look at the product itself. Most medications list “active ingredients” — the stuff that produces the therapeutic effect — and “inactive ingredients” — the stuff that … Continue reading →

Unraveling the Prescription Code

It isn’t just the bad handwriting that keeps us from understanding the scribbles on a prescription sheet. There’s a bit of shorthand or code in there, too. Are you ready to crack the code? Here are some terms and phrases you might see on your prescription — in case you’re curious. Many of them deal with timing: what time of day the medication should be taken, and how frequently the medication should be taken. An “am” or “pm” (not surprisingly) refers to medication taken in the morning or the evening. But other bits of code might be less obvious. If … Continue reading →

Help Prevent Medication Mix-Ups

There are lots of medications on the market — name brand prescriptions, generic equivalents, and over-the-counter remedies. A recent study from the United States Pharmacopeia, there are more than a thousand drugs that have names that are similar to others. Similar names creates a potential for confusion — the wrong drug (with a similar name) being substituted for the right one. Look at these sound-alikes for example: Were you prescribed Actos (for type 2 diabetes) or Actonel (for osteoporosis)? Were you prescribed Celexa (for depression) or Celebrex (for arthritis)? Were you prescribed Heparin (a blood thinner) or HESpan (to thicken … Continue reading →

Saving Money on Medication

Medication, whether it is prescription or over the counter, seems to be getting more and more expensive these days, even with insurance. The other day, for example, I had to pay full price for a common medication because the number of refills my insurance company allows was up. This got me thinking about some of the ways we can save on medications without compromising our health. Here they are. Try reputable mail order. Some insurance companies require you to get refills filled through mail order, rather than through your neighborhood pharmacy. And even if this doesn’t apply to you, you … Continue reading →