Recently Asked Questions

Mouth ulcers would usually clear up on their own within 1-2 weeks. For a 15-month-old child, you may consider using either Bonjela, Soragel or Medijel to help with providing relief to the affected area(s).

These products are available in NHG Pharmacy. You may contact NHG Pharmacy at 6355 3000 (NHG Polyclinics) or 6663 6847 (NUP Polyclinics) to check on the availability and cost of these items.

Do bring your child to consult a doctor if you notice your child has any of the following symptoms, for appropriate treatment and advise:

• Recurrent mouth ulcers
• Mouth ulcers that last longer than 3 weeks
• Mouth ulcers that bleed, become painful or red
• Fever, along with rashes on the hands and feet, and mouth ulcers
• Fluid-filled blisters in the mouth with a burning sensation

There are no known interactions between Vivomixx and Ginkgo Biloba. These supplements may be taken together. You may follow the directions as instructed by your doctor (if these were recommended by your doctor) or the directions as recommended on the products.

Do note that Ginkgo Biloba may interact with other medicines and supplements, such as blood thinners.

Do inform a pharmacist or doctor of all the medicines and/or supplements that your mother is taking before starting any new medicines or supplements. This includes Ginkgo Biloba, Vivomixx, other prescription or over-the-counter medicines that your mother may be taking.

This product is available in NHG Pharmacy. It can be bought after consultation with a pharmacist for a minimum age of 18 years old, and in limited quantities.

Currently, there are no research or evidences to support the use of supplements to protect against COVID 19 virus.

However, it is still important to keep the immune system healthy and both vitamin C and D may be required for a healthy immune system.

Vitamin C supports the function of various immune cells and improves their ability to protect against the infections. It is also an antioxidant that protects against damage induced by oxidative stress. The current recommended dietary allowances for Vitamin C is 90mg for males while the upper limit is 2000mg/day.

On the other hand, Vitamin D improves the effects of white blood cells which is important for your immune defense. It also decreases inflammation which helps to promote immune responses. The current recommended dietary allowances for Vitamin D for males aged 19 – 70 years old is 15mcg (600units) while the upper limit is 100mcg/day (4000 units/day).

Even though your son may not get sufficient sun exposure overseas, he may get Vitamin D from the food he consumes. Some examples of food sources containing Vitamin D are salmon, tuna, mackerel and trout. Beef liver, egg yolks, cheese and milk also may contain small amounts of Vitamin D.

Vitamin D supplements are also available. Supplements may be useful if your son is not able to obtain sufficient Vitamin D from food sources and sun exposure. However, it is not recommended to exceed the recommended dietary allowance of Vitamin D.  As Vitamin D is fat soluble, it may build up in the body and may result in side effects or toxic build-up in the body.

Examples of Vitamin D products available in NHG Pharmacy

1.       Lynae Vitamin D3 1000 units

2.       Caltrate Vitamin D 1000 units

3.       Cholecalciferol 1000 units

For more information on the product and other Vitamin D products available in NHG Pharmacy, you may wish to refer to NHG Pharmacy website.

https://www.pharmacy.nhg.com.sg/productCatalogue/SSCategoryProductList.aspx?iCat=2&iSCat=9&iSSCat=40&sFlag=1

Do note that some may require lower or high amount of Vitamin D and C depending on the age, sex and medical conditions. You may wish to consult your doctor to discuss on the amount of vitamins your son requires before consuming the supplements as well.

The current recommended dietary allowances for Vitamin C is 90mg for males while the upper limit is 2000mg/day. Hence, it is important to keep the Vitamin C level within the upper limit or as advised by your doctor depending on your medical conditions.

There are different types and forms of vitamin C tablets available such as ascorbic acid, mineral ascorbates (e.g. calcium ascorbate) or ascorbic acid with bioflavonoids. Different forms of vitamin C affect how easily the body can absorb. Ascorbic acid containing supplements is a preferred choice as your body absorbs it easily. Some vitamin C tablets may be prolonged release or slow release. Such products may have a better delivery of vitamin C into the body.

Vitamin C has low toxicity and generally does not cause serious side effects when taken within the upper limit. Side effects are mild, such as diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps.

Examples of Vitamin C available in NHG Pharmacy.

1.       21^st century Slow Release Vitamin C
It contains 1000mg Vitamin C from ascorbic acid.

You may take 1 tablet once a day or as directed by your doctor.

2.       21^st Century Acid Free C-1000

It contains non-acidic 1000mg Vitamin C from calcium ascorbate. However, it contains calcium.

You may take 1-2 tablets once a day after food or as directed by your doctor.

3.       Vitahealth Acid Free Vitamin C 500

It contains a time release formula of vitamin C 500mg. It also contains bioflavonoids, zinc and selenium which may work synergistically with Vitamin C.

You may take 1-2 tablets a day with food or as directed by your doctor.

4.       Rebound Vitamin C 1000mg Sustained Release

It contains 1000mg Vitamin C as ascorbic acid. It also contains Citrus bioflavonoid and Rose hips.

You may take 1 tablet a day or as directed by your doctor.

For more information on the product, and also other Vitamin C products available in NHG Pharmacy, you may wish to refer to NHG Pharmacy website.

https://www.pharmacy.nhg.com.sg/productCatalogue/SSCategoryProductList.aspx?iCat=2&iSCat=9&iSSCat=47&sFlag=1&pgno=2

Faecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT) kits are provided free of charge for eligible Singaporeans and permanent residents, from the Singapore Cancer Society.

For people who do not meet the eligibility criteria, testing is also available through general practitioners (GPs) and polyclinics. Do note that a consultation with a doctor is required for medical assessment.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain and damage throughout the body.

You may try anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. It helps to reduce the pain or inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Ibuprofen may be purchased over the counter in NHG retail pharmacy.

However, anti-inflammatory medications may not control the rheumatoid arthritis condition.

Medications, such as anti-rheumatic drugs and biologics, may slow the damage that rheumatoid arthritis can cause to your body. Hence, it is advisable to consult a doctor to discuss on appropriate treatment for you.

You may also wish to try the following to help reduce the pain.

-          Exercise can help to improve the range of motion in the joints and increase the mobility. It can also help to strengthen muscles to relieve some pressure from the joints.

-          Applying ice packs or cold compression to reduce the inflammation and pain. You may try hot compress to reduce stiffness as well.

-          You may try certain devices such as splints and braces that can hold your joints in a resting position. This may help to reduce the inflammation.

Allergies to certain food, medication, or the bite or sting of an insect can trigger a swollen lip. Pimples on or near the lips may cause some temporary lip swelling as well.

Cold sore and herpes infection may also cause lips to swell.

There are other causes of lip swelling such as muscle conditions, injury to the lips, or dental work such as braces or dental treatment.

If your lips are swollen, you may try applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel to reduce the inflammation. For dryness of the lips, you may consider applying moisturizing lip balm. There are also anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen which may reduce the swelling of the lips. It may be purchased over the counter in the retail pharmacy.

However, it is important to find the underlying cause of your lip swelling. Hence, it is advisable to consult a doctor to find the underlying cause and discuss on appropriate treatment and advice.

Hair Push Plus supplement can be taken 1-3 capsule per day during meals for at least 3 to 6 months. You may wish to either take 3 capsules together or space them apart throughout the day. Do note that Hair Push Plus capsule has to be taken with meals.

You may also refer to NHG Pharmacy website for more details on the product.

https://www.pharmacy.nhg.com.sg/productCatalogue/productDetails.aspx?productid=1121

Collagen is a protein present in the human body. It has many important functions such as providing structure for your skin and strengthening your bones. Consuming collagen may have health benefits such as improving skin health or relieving joint pain.

Bone Broth™ Protein by Ancient Nutrition is a collagen protein powder supplement marketed to support healthy skin, joint health and healthy gut. There is no information on the specific minimum age requirement for consumption. They do however specify a suggested dose for adults. Therefore, it should be safe for a young adult aged 20 – 25 years old to take the supplement.