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
Can I get epipen from the pharmacy as mine is expired.
A
Epipen injections are not available in NHG Pharmacy. You may
wish to contact the hospital or retail pharmacies to enquire on its
availability. Do note that a valid prescription is needed for the purchase of
this medicine.
Q
Skin fungus white spots. They're really bad this year than they've been in about 10 years. I'm trying to get the the oral medication which I think have to take 5 days and the selenium sulfur prescription of that shampoo you bathe with.
A
Selenium sulfur may be purchased over the
counter without a prescription. Do note that a prescription from a locally
registered doctor is required for the purchase of oral anti-fungal medicines.
As you had described your condition to be
the worst in 10 years, I would advise you to consult a doctor for appropriate
treatment and advice as soon as possible.
Q
I wish to purchase medication "MONACOL" for treating cholesterol. This is medication available at your pharmacy?. What is the price?.
A
Monacol is a
supplement containing red yeast rice and coenzyme Q10. Monacol is not available
in NHG Pharmacy. You may wish to contact the hospital or retail pharmacies to
enquire on its availability.
Alternatively, you
may wish to refer to our website regarding other supplements that contain red
yeast rice:
If you are currently
taking any medication to lower cholesterol, do check with your doctor or
pharmacist first before starting on the supplement.
Drug Information
15 May 2018
Q
I have hearing loss and life-long tinnitus. I am 68 yrs old and have been taking medication for my high blood pressure. The meds are Losartan, Potassium, Cardiprin, Omeperazole and lately, Terrazoxin for my prostate. My question is whether my tinnitus and deteriorating hearing is a result of taking these medicines. And is there anything I can do to reduce my tinnitus and to improve my hearing.
A
Although high doses of aspirin may affect
hearing and cause tinnitus in some people, it is unlikely that Cardiprin (100mg
of aspirin) caused tinnitus. It is very rare for losartan, omeprazole and
terazosin to cause tinnitus. If you notice any change in your hearing after you
are started on these medicines, you should see your doctor for further checks.
Tinnitus is usually caused by another
condition such as hearing loss, ear injury and blood vessel diseases. Treating
the identified cause may help with tinnitus. You may also try the following:
- Protection from loud noise and sounds
- Lower the volume
- Move away from sources of loud noise
- Wear ear-protection equipment such as ear plugs when working in an
environment with loud noise
- Do not use cotton buds to clean your ears. It may push the ear wax
further in and may injure the ear.
- Use a hearing aid to help you hear better
- Smoking can worsen tinnitus and hearing loss. Quit smoking if you
are a smoker.
- Add soothing sounds in a quiet environment. Tinnitus may be more
obvious when it is quiet. Distract yourself by adding soft music in the
background or by switching on the fan.
- Get enough sleep as fatigue may worsen symptoms.
- Exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet to prevent tinnitus that
is linked to blood vessel diseases.
Q
I am recently taking Caltrate UC-II due to my joint discomfort and it works. I need to seek for your opinion on which type of Caltrate calcium should I take? I am 41 years old and already have slight joint discomfort.
And for my daughter, she is only 18 years old but have 2 surgeries due to ligament tear on the knee cap. Please advise which type of Caltrate calcium works for her too.
A
Calcium is important for maintaining bone health and will help to prevent diseases such as
osteoporosis which causes bones to become weak and fragile. The Health Promotion
Board recommends consuming 800mg of calcium daily. This may be obtained by
eating a variety of calcium-rich food such as milk, yoghurt, tofu and green
leafy vegetables.
Vitamin D is also important
as it helps your body absorb calcium. To allow your body to produce enough
Vitamin D, allow the sun to shine on your arms and legs twice a week, for 5 to
30 minutes.
If you are unable to obtain
enough calcium and vitamin D from food and sun exposure, you may wish to
consider supplements which contain up to 800mg of calcium and up to 200 IU of
vitamin D.
Do note that joint
discomfort or pain may be caused by different conditions such as arthritis,
gout or bursitis. 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. Please
consult a doctor for more advice.
Calcium supplements may not
be useful for preventing or treating torn ligaments. Knee ligament
injuries usually occur as a result of excessive strain during sports
or fitness activities. The risk of such injuries can be reduced through muscle
strengthening exercises and warming
up before physical activity. You may wish to
consult a physiotherapist for more advice on how to prevent such injuries from
recurring.
Vitamins/Herbal Supplements
07 May 2018
Q
Hi, my son has been prescribed Nebusal 7% hypertonic saline for aerosol nebs in the morning and evening. However, when he had chest physio in KKH CICU and High Dependency, the wards use 3% hypertonic saline.
The 7% is too strong for him and he suffers a lot and cries during his neb. The KKH Pharmacy says they only have 7% in ampoules for outpatient use, not the 3% in a big bottle used in the wards.
I also have small ampoules of 0.9 (B Braun miniplasco) sodium chloride. I would like to dilute the 4 ml of 7% sodium chloride so that it can become 3% or even 4% - more comfortable for the boy. However, I don't want to do this anyhow without a proper formula of dilution from a pharmacist.
How much sodium chloride 0.9% do I add to 4 ml of 7% hypertonic saline to make it 3-4%?
A
As I am not aware of your son’s condition
and whether the dilution will be suitable for him, I am unable to make any
recommendation. You may wish to contact KKH at 62255554 or 63941500 for further
advice.
Drug Information
04 May 2018
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
