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Medicines Line, for phone answers to your questions about medicinesMedicines Line, for phone answers to your questions about medicines
Each day, scores of people ask the pharmacists at Medicines Line questions about their medicines. Here are two recent examples.
Q I'm 28 and I have bipolar disorder (a type of depression). I take valproate for it. I want to know if it's safe for me to take cold and flu tablets when I have a cold.
A Don't forget that simple things like getting plenty of rest and fluids will help you get over a cold — and they won't interact with valproate! Nevertheless, there is a wide range of cold and flu products. These can relieve some of the symptoms of a cold (but they don't treat the infection itself). Most products contain several ingredients. Common ingredients that are safe for you to use short term in conjunction with valproate include
- paracetamol for pain or a high temperature
- phenylephrine for a blocked nose (comes in tablets, capsules and nasal sprays)
- an antihistamine such as dexchlorpheniramine for a runny or blocked nose.
Ask the pharmacist which products contain these ingredients.
Q I'm the legal guardian for my sister who lives in a hostel. I pay her pharmacy bills. She seems to be receiving a long list of medicines each month, but I don't understand what they're for and why she needs so many! Is there any way that we can save some money?
A Make sure that the pharmacist knows that you're worried about your sister's pharmacy bills. Discuss with them the option of using generic medicines (see Keeping a lid on medicine costs article) where possible. Ask her doctor for a Home Medicines Review (see Keeping a lid on medicine costs article) to check that she still needs all her medicines. Also, check that the pharmacy is keeping a prescription record form for her so she's covered by the Safety Net (see Keeping a lid on medicine costs article).
MedicinesTalk is a free quarterly newsletter for consumers written by consumers about using medicines wisely. Subscribe to the hard copy version using our online ordering system, or write to MedicinesTalk, National Prescribing Service Limited, PO Box 1147, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012.
Date published: 2008-03-01 00:00:00
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.
References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.
