Do you have a question to ask the pharmacist?
This Ask-a-Pharmacist section allows you to direct questions to a patient care pharmacist regarding your medications or any drug-related concerns or issues that may be of interest to you.
Note that our reply may reach you later if you are residing in a different time zone as Singapore. Please allow up to 3 working days for our reply.
If you need an advice immediately, please consult a Doctor or call our Pharmacist via our NHGP contact centre at 6355 3000 or NUP contact center at 6663 6847.
While we will strive to answer as many questions as possible, we would like to seek your understanding that we are unable to answer all questions posted or questions which are not related to medicines. Please include as much details as possible. Accurate and complete information will help our Pharmacist provide the appropriate advice. Rest assured that all personal information provided will be kept confidential by NHG Pharmacy.
Q
Hi,would like to ask about ear wax removal. Do you have any ear wax spray for children?
A
You may consider the use of ear cleaning drops such as olive oil ear drop or Audiclean ear wax remover solution to soften the ear wax. Do not try to dig out the earwax using items such as a cotton bud, as you may push the wax further in and injure the ear.
Audiclean ear wax remover solution is available on our website here as well.
Please take note that Audiclean ear wax removal solution is not suitable for use in children under 3 years old.
If the symptoms do not improve after a few treatments or the ear starts to hurt, please consult a doctor instead.
Children's Health
06 Oct 2020
Q
Is Diben Cappuccino suitable for diabetic people?
A
Diben drink is suitable for use in people with diabetes. It has low Glycemic Index (GI) to help with diabetes management. Low GI means that the product is slowly digested and absorbed in the body, and thus causes a lower and slower rise in blood sugar levels.
Q
Recently started on avamys for allergic rhinitis. However, having headaches after starting. Could it be due to Avamys, since it is one of the side effects with relatively high incidence percentage. What do you recommend if it is due to Avamys.
A
Headaches have been reported as a side effect in patients who have used Avamys Nasal Spray. However, headaches may also be caused by other reasons as well. As I am not able to assess the cause for your headaches, you may consult a doctor, especially if the headache is bothering you or if it does not go away. It is important to find out the underlying cause and get appropriate treatment and advice accordingly.
If you consider the headache to be mild or occasional, you may also refer to this link for tips to relieve and prevent mild headaches.
Drug Information
18 Sep 2020
Q
Any good vitamin C cream or serum to recommend that is good for aging skin.
A
Vitamin C does not reverse signs of aging such as wrinkles, which develop naturally over time. However, it can help to protect the skin against damage caused by sun exposure. Studies have also found that Vitamin C helps to produce collagen, which helps to keep skin supple and smooth.
Vitamin C tends to break down quickly once it is exposed to heat, air and light. Therefore, it is usually manufactured in serum form, which the skin can absorb more efficiently. Ingredients such as Vitamin E and ferulic acid also help Vitamin C to work better.
Products which contain 8% of Vitamin C or more are usually more effective. However, do note that higher concentrations above 20% may cause skin irritation and should be used with caution.
Women's Health
17 Aug 2020
Q
How do i get a prescription for hydroxychloroquine
A
A prescription from a Singapore registered doctor is required for the purchase of this medicine. If you do not have a valid prescription, you may wish to contact your doctor for a review of your medical condition and to refill your medication.
Q
May I know if Seretine Evohaler available at the pharmacy counter?
A
There are different strengths of Seretide Evohaler such as 25/ 50, 25/125 and 25/250 that are available in NHG Pharmacy.
Do note that a valid prescription is required for the purchase of this medication.
If you have a valid prescription, you may fill the prescription in the Polyclinic pharmacy.
If you do not have a valid prescription, you may wish to consult your doctor for a review of your medical conditions and refill your medications.
Drug Information
03 Aug 2020
Q
Regarding 21st Century Calcium plus magnesium, zinc and Vit D (on your online pharmacy), is it calcium citrate ? Thanks.
A
21st Century Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc + D3 contains calcium in the form of calcium carbonate.
Vitamins/Herbal Supplements
13 Jul 2020
Q
Can I know what kind of calcium is in Lynae D ? Is it calcium carbonate ?
A
Lynae MD3 contains 517mg Dicalcium phosphate which is equivalent to 149mg of elemental Calcium. Do note that the new formulation of Lynae sold in Singapore no longer contains calcium.
Vitamins/Herbal Supplements
06 Jul 2020
Q
What is the difference between elemental calcium, Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Lactate? When you say our body need 1200mg calcium for age between 51 and older, what type of calcium are they referring to? Should it be elemental calcium, calcium carbonate or calcium lactate.
For vitamin K2 (MK-7), what is the daily requirement dosage for age 57 and older years? What happened if we consume over the daily requirement for our age?
A
Elemental calcium refers to the actual amount of calcium in the supplement. There are several types of calcium compounds such as calcium carbonate and calcium lactate that are used in calcium supplements. Each compound contains varying amounts of elemental calcium.
Calcium carbonate contains 40% of elemental calcium, while calcium lactate contains 13% of elemental calcium.
The daily recommended dietary allowance for women above 51 years old is 1200mg. It refers to the elemental calcium.
Vitamin K2 is one of the forms of vitamin K. Vitamin K2 has several forms, MK-4 through MK-13. MK-7 (Menaquinone-7) is one of them. The recommended daily intake of Vitamin K for women 57 years old and above is 90mcg.
As I am not aware of the contents of the supplement that you are taking and your dietary intake, I would not be able to advise you on the dosage required. Please refer to the product packaging for the recommended dosage of the supplement.
Excess Vitamin K can lead to Vitamin K toxicity. The effects of Vitamin K toxicity can include
jaundice like symptoms such as dark colored urine or change in skin color, or anemia (a condition with low levels of red blood cells). Although the occurrence of Vitamin K toxicity with oral Vitamin K is rare, it is advisable to follow the recommended daily intake of Vitamin K.
Q
May I know if your Pharmacy sells oral chewing gum?
I have a blocked left ear and need the gum for chewing before on set or relapse of vertigo.
A
Oral chewing gums are not available in NHG Pharmacy. You may wish to contact the hospital or retail pharmacies to enquire on its availability.
There may be many causes of vertigo such as
- Fluid build-up or pressure change in the ear
- Inflammation in the inner ear that is caused by infections
- Shingles in or around the ear area
- Certain medications that causes ear damage
Thus, I would advise you to consult a doctor to find out the underlying cause and for appropriate treatment and advice.
