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 call centre 6355 3000.
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
Came across your 'Hair Loss' brochure. Informative and I would like to see improvement in my hair growth. I would like to enquire what is the recommended oral prescription and the cost.
A
Minoxidil scalp lotion may be used in the
treatment of hair loss. It is available in NHG Pharmacy and may be bought over
the counter without a prescription.
Oral medicine such as finasteride is used in
treatment of hair loss and is available in NHG Pharmacy. Do note that a
prescription is required for the purchase of this medication. The doctor will
assess your condition and prescribe the most suitable treatment for you.
You may wish to find out more about hair
loss from our website.
Q
I had asthma attack when I was a baby. As recently I am having symptoms of asthma, and I will be going for hiking next week, I would need a preventive inhaler for asthma. I heard I can get some from the pharmacy, but not sure which medicine. Please assist.
A
As I am not aware of your medical history or any long term medicines
that you may be taking, I would not be able to recommend an appropriate
treatment for you. Please consult a doctor for more advice. Do note that a
prescription is required for the purchase of inhalers used for treatment and
prevention of asthma.
Q
I am on 75mg losartan. Switched from amlodipine 10mg two months ago. My weight has gone up although I am still maintaining lifestyle, diet and exercise. Does losartan cause weight gain?
A
It is not common for losartan to cause
weight gain.
However, losartan may cause worsening of
kidney function in a small group of individuals. This may lead to an increase
in weight due to accumulation of fluids in the body.
See your doctor immediately if you have any
of the following:
- unable to pass urine
- change in amount of urine
- blood in the urine
- big weight gain
Drug Information
05 Mar 2018
Q
Does Choa Chu Kang polyclinic carry esomeprazole (dissolvable omeprazole) and mecobalamin ?
A
Mecobalamin 500mcg capsules are available for
purchase at Choa Chu Kang Polyclinic pharmacy. However, Esomeprazole is not
available at any of the NHG Pharmacy branches. You may wish to contact the
hospital or retail pharmacies to enquire on its availability. Do note that a
prescription is required for the purchase of this medication.
Drug Information
02 Mar 2018
Q
Can I buy the tamiflu tablets in your pharmacy without prescription?
A
Tamiflu is not available in NHG Pharmacy. Do
note that a prescription is required for the purchase of this medicine.
Drug Information
28 Feb 2018
Q
Is Suu balm safe to use during pregnancy?
A
Suu balm may be used during pregnancy. It is
not known if menthol, the active ingredient of Suu balm, may cause harm to the
fetus. Low absorption of the product through the skin is unlikely to cause
harm. To reduce absorption, avoid applying to broken skin or over a large area.
You may like to check with your gynaecologist before using Suu Balm.
Drug Information
28 Feb 2018
Q
Do NHG Polyclinics carry Duromine?
A
Duromine (Phentermine) is not available in
NHG Pharmacy. You may wish to contact the hospital or retail pharmacies to
enquire on its availability.
Do note that a prescription is required for
the purchase of this medication.
Q
I would like to enquire whether Principle Nutrition Triple-Strength Glucosamine 1500mg + Chondroitin 1200mg + MSM 500mg supplement contains animal products & if yes, what are they?
Are there alternatives which is suitable for vegan diet?
A
Principle Nutrition Triple-Strength Glucosamine 1500mg + Chondroitin
1200mg + MSM 500mg contains shellfish ingredients.
NHG Pharmacy does not keep any vegan products with the same ingredients
as this product. Alternatively, you may consider the following supplements
which are suitable for vegetarians.
Some of these supplements do not state the full list of ingredients on
the product packaging, thus we are unable to determine if these vegetarian
products are also vegan. Do let us know which vegetarian product you are
interested in, so that we can enquire with the manufacturer.
|
Supplement
|
Contents Per Tablet
|
Remarks
|
|
VitaHealth
Arthrozan VG Vegetarian Glucosamine
|
|
- 100% made from corn
- Contains no salt
and preservatives
- Suitable for
vegetarians and vegans
|
|
VitaHealth
Vegetarian Glucosamine MSM + Curcumin
|
- 375mg Glucosamine
- 50mg Methylsulfonlymethane
- (MSM)
- 25mg Curcumin
|
- Contains no
preservatives
- Made of corn
- Suitable for
vegetarians
|
|
21st Century
Vegesamine
|
|
- Contains no sugar,
starch, salt, artificial flavours, preservatives or Animal/Shellfish by-products
- Halal and Kosher
certified
- Suitable for
vegetarians
|
|
Ocean Health
Vegetarian Glucosamine Sulphate
|
|
- Glucosamine
sulphate from corn
- Contains no added
sugar, milk, eggs, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, gluten, artificial flavours
or preservatives
- Suitable for
vegetarians
|
|
Ocean Health
Vegetarian Glucosamine 750mg +
|
- 750mg Glucosamine
- 75mg
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
- 50mg Calcium
- 1mg Zinc
- 50mg Turmeric root extract (95% Curcumin)
|
- Glucosamine
sulphate from corn
- Contains no added
sugar, milk, eggs, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, gluten, gelatin, artificial
flavours or preservatives
- Suitable for
vegetarians
|
|
Rebound
Vegetarian Glucosamine 1500mg
|
|
- Glucosamine sulfate
from corn
- Sodium free
- Suitable for vegetarians
- Halal
|
Vitamins/Herbal Supplements
19 Feb 2018
Q
If I suspect I may be pregnant , can I buy folic acid off the counter at your pharmacy and should I start taking it?
A
Folic acid is recommended to be taken in
women planning to become pregnant, that is, before pregnancy. Women should
start taking folic acid as soon as they discover that they are pregnant, and
continue for the first trimester.
You may purchase folic acid 5mg
tablets at any of our retail pharmacies or buy online
here.
Do see a doctor if you suspect yourself to
be pregnant. The gynecologist can advise on the nutrition required as the
pregnancy progresses.
You may also wish to refer to the website here
to find out more about nutrition required during pregnancy.
Women's Health
08 Feb 2018
Q
Do you sell Zinnat 500Mg BD antibiotic?
I need to purchase for my mother who was recently diagnosed with liver abscess. As she is already above 75, is she able to enjoy subsidised rate?
A
Zinnat (Cefuroxime) 500mg tablets are not
available in NHG Pharmacy. You may wish to contact the hospital pharmacies to
enquire on its availability:
·
National University
Hospital (NUH)
o Contact Number:
§ Main Line: (65) 6779 5555 (24-hr)
§ Pharmacy: (65) 6772 5181 / 5182 / 5184
o Fax: (65) 6779 5678
o Email: NUH_Enquiries@nuhs.edu.sg
o Website: https://www.nuh.com.sg/index.html
·
Tan Tock Seng
Hospital (TTSH)
o Contact Numbers:
§ Main Line: (65) 6256 6011 (24-hr)
§ Pharmacy: (65) 6357 2040 / 2044
o Fax: (65) 6252 7282
o Email: contact@ttsh.com.sg
o Website: https://www.ttsh.com.sg/
·
Singapore General
Hospital (SGH)
o Contact Number:
§ Main Line: (65) 6222 3322 (24-hr)
§ Pharmacy: (65) 6321 4366
o Fax: (65) 6224 9221
o On Line Enquiry Form: https://www.sgh.com.sg/OnlineSurvey/Pages/service-quality-feedback-form.aspx
o Website: https://www.ttsh.com.sg/
Do note that a prescription is required for
the purchase of this medication.
Drug Information
01 Feb 2018
