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Q: What is the difference between a brand and generic medication?
Q: Why is there a cost difference between brand and generic medications?
Q: What do I do if I miss a dose of my medication?
Q: What if I miss a dose of my birth control pills?
Q: Do I take my medication with or without food?
Q: Can Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications and supplements affect my prescriptions?
Q: When do I take my prescription?
Q: Can I stop taking my medication if I feel better?
Q: How do I get my medication refilled? Do I have to see my doctor?
Q: How many ml’s in a teaspoon?
Q: Where do I store my medications?
Q: What if I cannot make it to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription?
Q: What if my child (or myself) doesn’t like the taste of the liquid prescription?
Q: What is the difference between a brand and generic medication?
A: NONE. All medications are subject to the same FDA quality standards and regulations. Therefore brand name and generic companies manufacture to the same specifications of quality and purity.
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Q: Why is there a cost difference between brand and generic medications?
A: FDA regulations require an extensive amount of testing of a new product to prove safety and efficacy. This can take years and cost upwards of $400 million. The developing company (Brand company) is given a patent on the new medication, which starts at the beginning of the research and development (long before the medication is ready for sale to the public.) The patent is long enough (about 12 years) for the originating company to recuperate their research and development costs and make a profit.
When a patent expires on a medication, a generic company can produce the same product by the same process (proven by the FDA) without doing the initial research and development that has already been done by the original company. The cost to the generic company is much less, about $50 million; therefore they can provide the exact same product for a much lower price.
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Q: What do I do if I miss a dose of my medication?
A: If you miss a dose of medication take it as soon as possible WITHOUT doubling up on doses. If you are close to your next dosage time, skip the missed dosage and continue on with your regular schedule.
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Q: What if I miss a dose of my birth control pills?
A: If you miss one day, take two tablets the next day only then return to your normal schedule.
If you miss two days, take two tablets for the next two days only then return to your normal schedule.
IF ANY DOSAGES OF BIRTH CONTROL PILLS ARE MISSED, YOU MUST USE ADDITIONAL PROTECTION UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF YOUR NEXT CYCLE.
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Q: Do I take my medication with or without food?
A: Each medication is different with regards to food and meals. Food may either increase or decrease the amount of medication that is absorbed into the body. If you have any questions about a specific medication, please call our pharmacist.
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Q: Can Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications and supplements affect my prescriptions?
A: Yes. Many OTC products can interact with your prescriptions. Blood pressure, depression, diabetes, and seizure medications can especially be affected. Do not take any OTC medications or supplements with out first talking with your pharmacist or doctor.
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Q: When do I take my prescription?
A: Always follow specific times or directions stated on the prescription. If there are no times stated, try to take the prescription on the same schedule.
For example: "Take once daily." Try to take the medication at the same time each day.
"Take twice daily." Take the dosage every 12 hours.
"Take three times daily." Take the dosage every 8 hours.
"Take four times daily." Take as close to every 6 hours as possible, or divide waking hours evenly (7am,noon, 5pm & 10pm.)
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Q: Can I stop taking my medication if I feel better?
A: NO, unless specifically directed by your doctor.
Antibiotics especially need to have a full course of treatment. Stopping early will lead to a more resistant infection that will require more expensive and more potent antibiotics.
Also, The medication is what is helping you feel better. Blood pressure, diabetes and other medical problems need to be continually managed to keep the disease under control.
Take medications only as the doctor directs.
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Q: How do I get my medication refilled? Do I have to see my doctor?
A: You can get your medications refilled simply by calling our pharmacy and talking to one of our staff. If there are no refills remaining on your prescription or your prescription has expired, we will contact your doctor for you. Your doctor will then advise us if your prescription can be refilled or not. Many times you will not need to see your doctor before the refill.
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Q: How many ml’s in a teaspoon?
A: There are 5ml in a teaspoon.
Here are some other common conversions.
1ml = 1cc
5ml = 1 teaspoon
15ml = 1 tablespoon
3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
30ml = 1 oz (liquid)
30gm = 1 oz.(wt)
480ml = 1 pint
1000ml = 1 liter
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Q: Where do I store my medications?
A: Generally medications should be stored in a cool dry place (NOT in the bathroom or above the sink.) Some medications may need to be stored in the refrigerator. If you are not sure or your bottle does not specifically state where the medication should be stored contact our pharmacy staff.
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Q: What if I cannot make it to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription?
A: We will deliver it to you at no additional cost.
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Q: What if my child (or myself) doesn’t like the taste of.the liquid prescription?
A: We have a unique flavoring system, FlavorRx, that can change medication into nearly any flavor you would like. We can even flavor prescriptions for your pets (Chicken, beef, peanut butter, etc.) It makes giving medication to your children and pets much easier.
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