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
Can i get tablet DUOLUTON L home delivery
A
Duoluton L tablets contain ethinyl estradiol
and levonorgestrel. This product is not available in Singapore.
However, there are other contraception pills
available in Singapore. You may wish to consult a doctor to assess your medical
conditions and discuss on the possible alternatives available in
Singapore.
Do note that online purchase is not available for
contraceptive pills. A valid prescription must be presented at a licensed
pharmacy for the purchase of such medicines.
Women's Health
24 Jun 2022
Q
Hi, is there any cream or med that can ideally permanently get rid of
1. Swimmer rash
2. Sun rash (PMLE)
3. Heat rash
Else, is there any solution or prevention such as eating certain vitamins or using certain creams? Thank you!
A
Swimmer’s itch or
rash, sun rash (PMLE) and heat rash all share the similar symptoms of red and
itchy skin. They generally go away on their own after a few days.
Swimmer’s itch or
rash is caused by parasites that may be present
in fresh or salt water. These parasites burrow into the skin of swimmers,
resulting in an allergic reaction of itchy rash and skin tenderness. Chlorine
rash is also a swimming-related rash that may be due to chlorine exposure
in swimming pools.
Sun rash, which appears because of sun exposure, may be
hereditary or triggered by other factors. For example, some medications or
contact with some plants (e.g. limes) may increase risk of sun rash in certain
patients. Polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) is a
type of sun rash that is usually seasonal and comes hours to days after
exposure to direct sunlight.
Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, occurs when sweat is
trapped in the skin. It affects patients in hot, humid conditions and goes away
once the skin cools down.
There is currently no
cream marketed to permanently prevent such rashes. There is also no strong
evidence to support taking any specific vitamins to prevent such rashes. Calamine
lotion and over-the-counter moisturizers may help to relieve the itch and dry
skin respectively, as the rash recovers on its own.
To prevent rashes,
you may consider the following tips:
- Avoid the triggers if possible, such as no swimming
in contaminated water.
- Rinse with clean water immediately after
swimming.
- Wear sun-block when going outdoors (or waterproof
sunscreen when swimming).
- Stay cool and dry.
- Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing to
prevent heat rash.
You may wish to
speak to a pharmacist on how to manage skin rashes if they do not go away on
their own.
Common Ailments
24 Jun 2022
Q
My Mom suffered a stroke and was prescribed Amantadine to help 'reactivate' her brain. It's to be taken twice a day. Common practice is to have it in the morning and then evening, 12 hours apart. However, does it make more sense to have the second dose earlier, say in the afternoon so that she still has half a day ahead of her instead of taking it in the evening/at night when it's time to go to bed. It seems pointless to activate the brain at this time. Please advise if this makes sense and can be done, or must the drug be taken strictly 12 hours apart. Thank you.
A
Amantadine is a medicine that may
be used as a nerve stimulant to help post-stroke patients in their recovery
process. It may improve the patient’s cognitive function by maintaining the
patient’s responsiveness to the environment. Based on the available studies and
the medication information leaflet, it is advised to take Amantadine in 1 to 2
divided doses daily. However, the ideal dose timings to take Amantadine for stroke
patients is unclear.
Please consult the prescribing
doctor to clarify the specific timings at which your mother should be taking
the medication for her condition, especially if it is affecting her sleep at
night.
Drug Information
22 Jun 2022
Q
What is Bromhexine for ?
Can take Bromhexine together with Fluimucil ?
A
Bromhexine is a medication
commonly used in conditions where there is a lot of thick phlegm in the airways.
It is a mucolytic medication, which means that it helps to relieve symptoms of
phlegmy cough by thinning the phlegm in the airways and helps with the removal
of the mucus.
Fluimucil® is a medication that
contains Acetylcysteine, which is also a mucolytic medication. It works
similarly to Bromhexine and is used for the same conditions. As they are both
mucolytic medications, you should not take Bromhexine together with Fluimucil®.
Drug Information
21 Jun 2022
Q
Do you have propranolol LA 120mg?
A
Propranolol LA 120mg is
not available in Singapore. You may wish to consult a doctor in Singapore for a
review of your medical conditions and discuss on the possible alternatives.
Drug Information
07 Jun 2022
Q
Can we drink or eat after consuming glyceryl trinitrate? And if no how long should we wait
A
Glyceryl
Trinitrate sublingual tablets or mouth sprays are used to relieve chest pain or
prevent any expected chest pain (e.g. before exercise). For the tablet, place a
tablet under your tongue but do not swallow, chew or crush the tablet. For the
spray, administer one spray under your tongue and avoid swallowing immediately
after using the spray.
Do
not eat or drink immediately after using the spray or tablet (while the tablet
is dissolving). The medicine works faster when absorbed through the lining of
the mouth. You may resume food or drink after your pain has completely
resolved.
However,
if the pain is not relieved after five minutes after using the first tablet or
spray, use a second tablet or spray. If you still have pain after two to three
tablets or sprays, call for an ambulance (995) immediately.
Q
Hi, do you sell Lotemax eye drop? I have a prescription from my doctor to use that after my lasik.
A
NHG Pharmacy does
not stock Lotemax eye drops (Loteprednol 0.5%).
You may wish to contact the
hospital or retail pharmacies to enquire on the availability.
Q
Hi I am wondering whether you have protopic 0.1% or fucibet for eczema
A
NHG Pharmacy currently does
not keep Protopic (Tacrolimus) 0.1% and Fucibet (Betamethasone 0.1% and Fusidic
acid 2%) Cream. The latter is not registered for use in Singapore, but
alternative brands are available. You may wish to contact the hospital or
retail pharmacies to enquire on the availability of these medications.
Do note that a valid prescription
is required for the purchase of these medications.
Drug Information
12 Apr 2022
Q
I am using Vidisic gel for dry eyes as previously prescribed by an eye specialist. I have been using it for quite some time and am satisfied with its perceived effectiveness in managing my condition. I have two questions:
Is Vidisic gel suitable for long-term use?
Are there other eye gels that are more suitable for long-term use?
A
Dry eye happens when the tears
are unable to keep the surface of the eye wet. The usual symptoms of dry eyes
are white or mildly red eye, experiencing itchy, sandy, gritty feeling or a
feeling that something is in the eye. It may often present with too much
tearing at first.
Vidisic® Eye Gel is a lubricant
eye gel that contains the ingredient Carbomer which helps to relieve symptoms
of dry eye. It acts as an artificial tear that keeps the surface of the eye
lubricated and has a refreshing and cooling action. Vidisic® Eye Gel contains
Cetrimide which is used a preservative to prevent bacteria from growing. When you
use eye preparations that contain preservatives such as Cetrimide over a long
period of time, it may cause eye irritation such as redness, burning or a
feeling that there is something in your eye. Therefore, it is not recommended
to use Vidisic® Eye Gel for long-term.
Generally, it is recommended to use
preservative-free eye drops if you need to use the eye drop more frequently.
These are usually marketed as single-use vials which should be thrown away once
used and do not contain preservatives. Preservative-free eye drops are
available at NHG Pharmacy. You may purchase these eye drops online on the NHG
Pharmacy website via this link:
https://www.pharmacy.nhg.com.sg/online-shopping/
You may also wish to consider the
following measures to relieve dry eye symptoms as well:
- Rest
your eyes when doing activities that need you to use your eyes for long
periods of time
- Take
frequent breaks by closing your eyes for a few minutes
- Blinking
repeatedly for a few seconds can help spread tears in the eyes
- Use a
humidifier in air-conditioned rooms to add moisture to the room so the
surrounding air will not be too dry
- Prevent
air from blowing directly at your eyes by lowering fan speeds and by
facing the fans or hair dryers away from your eyes
- Use an
eye mask to provide gentle warm compression for mild dry eyes
You should consult a doctor if
your condition worsens or does not improve, or if you develop other symptoms
such as:
- Swollen
and painful eyes
- Pus coming
out of your eye
- Changes
in vision
- Other
symptoms such as dry mouth
- Only
one eye is affected
- Feeling
something is present in your eye even after washing it out
Drug Information
08 Apr 2022
Q
Is Differin available for purchase through NHG pharmacies?
A
Differin contains Adapalene 0.1%.
Differin 0.1% gel (30g) is available in NHG
Pharmacy.
Do note that a valid prescription from a
doctor is required for the purchase of this medication.
It is also classified as a Pharmacy-only
medicine. It may be purchased in limited quantity at licensed retail pharmacies
after consultation with a pharmacist for use in persons above 12 years old.
You may contact NHG Pharmacy at 6355 3000 (NHG Polyclinics)
or 6663 6847 (NUP Polyclinics) to check on the price.
Differin 0.1% cream is not available in NHG
Pharmacy. You may wish to contact the hospital or retail pharmacies to
enquire on its availability.
Common Ailments
04 Apr 2022