Do you have a question to ask our pharmacist?

This Ask-our-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 three 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.

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.

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

Telfast 6mg/mL syrup is available in NHG Pharmacy.

Do note that online purchase is not available for this medicine as a valid prescription must be presented for purchase of this medicine.

 It may also be purchased after review by a pharmacist, and in limited quantity.

You may contact NHG Pharmacy at 6355 3000 (NHG Polyclinics) or 6663 6847 (NUP Polyclinics) to check on the cost of these items.

Cetirizine is a medicine commonly used to treat allergies and runny nose symptoms and are available as tablets or syrup form. Doses of cetirizine 1mg are usually given in syrup form. Cetirizine may be taken with or without food or milk.

If your child does not like the taste of the medicine, you may mix cetirizine with a small amount of liquid such as sweetened water or fruit juice, or soft foods such as ice cream, yogurt or jelly. You may also consider mixing the medicine with small amounts of foods that are chilled, sweet or have a strong flavor, as these can help mask the taste of medicine as well.

It is advised to avoid mixing medicine with foods your child must have as the child may begin to dislike foods that he/she needs. This may include milk, depending on the child’s age.

Please ensure that the child completes the liquid or food mixed with the medicine so that he/she takes the full dose of the medicine. Do not put medicine in a full bottle or cup, in case the child does not drink the whole bottle or cup of liquid.

Do note that not all medicines may be mixed with food or milk. You may find out more from the medicine product information label or by speaking to a pharmacist regarding your child’s medicines before administering medicines to your child.

Appeton® Multivitamin Plus Drops is a multivitamins supplement formulated for infants 12 months and below to meet their supplement daily requirement. It contains lysine which helps to improve appetite in infants. The ingredients listed in the supplement do not pose a risk to G6PD individuals. Therefore, the supplement may be safely given to the baby in the dose recommended by the manufacturer.

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 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.

These are the general steps to simple wound care:

• Perform hand hygiene
• Clean the wound and surrounding skin with normal saline 0.9% solution.
• Apply a clean dressing and secure with a secondary dressing if required.
• Do keep the dressing dry and intact.
• Do not self-medicate and maintain personal hygiene over the wound site. Observe for abnormal symptoms e.g. increased pain, swelling, presence of pus or fever and seek medical attention immediately if any of these arise.

The above steps are only applicable for simple wounds.

As there is a concern that your wound might be deep, we recommend you to consult a nurse or doctor to assess your wound before using the dressing bandages. If you have existing conditions (e.g. diabetes) that may slow down wound healing, it is also recommended for you to consult a doctor.

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.

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.

Adezio® 1mg/mL syrup is a medicine containing Cetirizine 1mg/mL. It belongs to a group of medicines called anti-histamines which are commonly used for the relief of itch, including those caused by eczema.

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes dry skin, itchy skin and rashes. It is generally safe to administer Adezio® syrup to your child when necessary to relief symptoms of itchy skin that is caused by eczema. If your child continues to have symptoms while using this medication, you may wish to bring your child to see a doctor for further assessment and treatment.

Adezio® 1mg/mL syrup may cause side effects such as headache, drowsiness or dry mouth. If your child has side effects to the medicine and is unable to tolerate them, please consult a doctor for further review.

Adezio® 1mg/mL syrup is not available in NHG Pharmacy (NHGP Polyclinics and NUP Polyclinics). However, the generic form of Cetirizine 1mg/mL syrup is available. Both Adezio® 1mg/mL syrup and generic Cetirizine 1mg/mL syrup may be purchased after consulting a pharmacist.

Sneezing, stuffy nose, postnasal drip and runny nose may be common allergy symptoms. These symptoms may be due to allergic rhinitis or hay fever. There are many allergens responsible for morning allergy symptoms such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander and even mold.

Therefore, it is important to identify the cause of the allergy.

Below are a few tips to prevent allergy symptoms in the morning for your son such as

• Using a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity level in the rooms
• Put a dust mite proof-cover over your mattress or pillow.
• Dust hard surfaces and vacuum your carpet frequently.

If the condition is mild, he may consider to take over the counter medications such as anti-histamine. Zyrtec R is an antihistamine that can be used for his allergies.

There are other antihistamines available over the counter such as Loratadine and Fexofenadine. Other antihistamines such as Chlorpheniramine is classified as a Pharmacy only medicine. It may be purchased at licensed retail pharmacies after consultation with a pharmacist. There is not much evidence to suggest a particular antihistamine is better than the others. Hence, you may wish to try the antihistamine to see which is suitable for him.

You may wish to bring your son to consult a doctor to discuss on the possible treatment and advices. if the symptoms of allergic rhinitis are disrupting his sleep, preventing him from carrying our daily activities, or affecting his school performance.

Paxlovid (containing Nirmatrelvir 300mg and Ritonavir 100mg tablets) is available in NHG Pharmacy (NHG Polyclinics). This medication is also available in certain general practitioner clinics, public and private hospitals in Singapore. Paxlovid is currently only prescribed to patients with a COVID-19 infection who are assessed by doctors to be at a higher risk of progressing to severe COVID-19. Paxlovid also has potential interactions with many other commonly used medications, hence the decision to prescribe Paxlovid has to be carefully considered by doctors, after discussion with their patients on the benefits and risks.

Kindly note that Paxlovid cannot be purchased over the counter. If you are having any medical problems at the moment, I would advise you to consult a doctor for medical assessment and treatment.

Fedac contains the active ingredients Pseudoephedrine (for blocked nose) and Triprolidine (antihistamine for allergy). Since your child has already taken the maximum daily dose of Cetirizine today, it is recommended to only start Fedac tomorrow. Taking too much antihistamines may increase the risk of side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth/eyes, difficulty passing urine or confusion (in very young children). 

Folic Acid is a vitamin that helps in the formation of red blood cells and the development of the baby’s nerves. It is also helpful in preventing birth defects in the baby.

It is recommended for pregnant women to take at least 400mcg of folic acid per day. Women may also take 5mg of folic acid per day as directed by their doctor. It is a safe supplement that is recommended to take until week 12 of pregnancy. Folic acid is not likely to cause any side effects.

A healthy diet would naturally consist of food or drinks containing folic acid. The additional intake of folic acid is not likely to cause harm to your wife or the growing baby.

You may consult your gynaecologist if you wish to enquire more about recommended food or supplements during the course of your wife’s pregnancy.

Domperidone 10mg may be purchased at NHG Pharmacy (in NUP and NHG Polyclinics) after consultation with a pharmacist for the appropriate indication and in limited quantity.

This product is meant for wet cough as it helps to loosen and expel phlegm to clear chest congestion.

For dry cough without phlegm, other cough syrups may be more suitable.

These are Pharmacy-only medicines and may be bought after consultation with a pharmacist. However, in view of the current COVID situation, self-medicating is not recommended. If you have any cough or flu symptoms, you are encouraged to see a doctor for further assessment and treatment.

Brivaracetam is not available in Singapore. You may wish to contact your doctor to enquire on alternatives available in Singapore. Please note that a valid prescription issued by a doctor in Singapore is required for the purchase of prescription medications, such as Brivaracetam.

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.

Minoxidil hair solution is available in NHG Pharmacy. It comes in three different strengths, 2%, 3% and 5%.

You may wish to contact any of our branches at 6355 3000 to check out the availability and selling price of this product

Some patients have reported possible side effects after the completion of Follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplants. These side effects include scalp itching, bleeding and inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis).

As I am not able to assess the severity and extent of your condition, I am not able to suggest use of any creams or medicated shampoos to purchase over the counter. I would advise you to consult a doctor to discuss your concerns of folliculitis.

Folliculitis may be caused by bacterial or fungal infections, therefore it is important to find out the underlying cause of the itch and rashes, and get appropriate treatment and advice accordingly.

It is normal for babies to lose the hair they are born with during the first 6 months. This thin, soft baby hair (called lanugo) is gradually shed and replaced with rapidly growing permanent hair. For some infants, this process occurs concurrently, hence may remain unnoticeable. This process may be slower in some babies, resulting in a few months of harmless baldness.

Sleeping position may also influence hair loss due to rubbing of the same spot on the scalp all night long.

By the age of 1, babies should have a full head of hair. In the rare case that your baby’s hair does not grow after 1 year, do consult your pediatrician.

Hair loss in babies is usually harmless. If you notice other symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, fever or pain, do talk with your doctor for a proper assessment.

Dry itchy scalp may also be a cause of hair loss due to scratching. Topical application of oils may be helpful for dry scalp. The following are considered safe for use on babies.

• Olive oil
• Baby oil

Do note that oils or lotions derived from or containing nut products should be avoided until after 5 years of age.

There is insufficient evidence for the effectiveness of supplements and cod liver oil in hair loss.

As the onset of your hair loss is sudden and the condition is severe, I would advise you to consult a doctor to find out the underlying cause and for appropriate treatment and advice.

This medication is not available in NHG Pharmacy (NHG Polyclinics). Do note that a prescription from a Singapore registered doctor is required for its purchase.

If you have a valid prescription, you may contact the hospital or retail pharmacies to such as Tan Tock Seng Hospital at 6357 2040, or Guardian at 6891 8100 to enquire on its availability.

GlucoFort is a supplement made by a US company that claims to support blood sugar levels in the body. Health supplements in Singapore are not subject to approvals and licensing by HSA for their importation, manufacture and sales. Dealers (importers, manufacturers, wholesale dealers and sellers) have the responsibility to ensure that their products are not harmful or unsafe and that they follow certain guidelines outlined by HSA before supplying the supplement into Singapore.

Currently there is not enough clinical evidence that support the use of supplements in helping diabetics with their sugar levels. Additionally, supplements may contain ingredients that can interact with your chronic medications, causing them to either be more or less effective, or increase the risk of side effects. Therefore it is not advisable to rely on supplements to aid with your sugar levels.

The key to the management of diabetes are diet, exercise, and when required, oral medications and insulin injections.  Below are tips on diabetes diet planning that you may wish to try:

• Reduce fat intake in diet, particularly saturated fat e.g. butter, fried and fatty foods
• Eat consistent amounts of food each day
• Eat small, regular meals based on wide variety of foods to maintain adequate nutrition
• Include mostly carbohydrate and fibre foods such as rice, oats, vegetables, legumes (beans, peas and lentils)
• Do not skip meals
• Try to avoid snacks unless your doctor or dietician recommends them as part of your medication regimen
• Limit alcohol consumption. If you do so, drink in moderation only.

Amlodipine 10mg and Bisoprolol 2.5mg tablets are available in NHG Pharmacy. In order to purchase these high blood pressure medications, you need to have a valid doctor’s prescription. If you do not have a prescription, you need to revisit a doctor. People with high blood pressure should have regular follow up of their condition.  

This medication is not available for purchase online. You may purchase this medication at NHG pharmacy with a doctor’s prescription.

Take note that it is only available at Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Clementi, Hougang, Jurong, Toa Payoh, Woodlands and Yishun polyclinic pharmacies

Tipidin^® is the brand name of the medication Ticlopidine, which is a blood thinner in the medication class of anti-platelets, similar to Aspirin (Glyprin^®).

Ticlopidine is available in NHG pharmacy. The current brand available is Tipidin^® by DHA. Do note that a prescription is required for purchase of this medication at the pharmacy.

Jaw pain may be caused by various underlying medical conditions. 

A common cause is temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder (TMD). This could arise from injury or damage to the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movements. Excessive stimulation of the jaw point due to certain habits, such as teeth grinding at night or jaw clenching (due to stress and anxiety), may also contribute to jaw discomfort.

Other causes may include cluster headaches, sinus problems, toothaches, surrounding nerve damage or heart attack.

As I would not be able to assess the severity and extent of your condition, I would advise you to consult a doctor to find out the underlying cause and for appropriate treatment and advice.

Taking Paracetamol may help with your headache. If Paracetamol does not work, you may try Ibuprofen or Naproxen to relief headache. Ibuprofen and Naproxen should be taken with food to reduce stomach pain or discomfort. These medications can be purchased over-the-counter at retail pharmacies. You may check with a pharmacist in person to see if taking Ibuprofen or Naproxen is suitable for you, as it should not be taken if a person has certain medical conditions (e.g. history of asthma).

Charcoal tablets/capsules, Kaolin mixture or Smecta sachets may help with your diarrhea. They work by reducing the bacteria and toxins that may be causing diarrhea. These medications should be taken 2 hours apart from any other medication. Probiotics such as Lactoguard and Lacteol Forte can help to relieve symptoms of diarrhea and reintroduce good bacteria to the intestines. Oral rehydration salts may be helpful to replenish the fluids and electrolytes lost during diarrhea. These medications may be purchased over-the-counter at retail pharmacies.

Loperamide or Diphenoxylate/Atropine (Lomotil) may also help with diarrhea by slowing down the movement of stools. They may be purchased either from a pharmacist or with a doctor’s prescription.

If your diarrhea does not improve and if you experience other symptoms such as severe vomiting, high fever or blood in stools, do consult a doctor to find out the underlying cause and for appropriate treatment and advice.

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.

There are different types and devices of insulin that are available in NHG Pharmacy.

NHG Pharmacy does keep Novomix Flexpen, however, Ryzodec is not available.

If you do have a valid prescription from a Singapore registered doctor, you may contact NHG Pharmacy at 6355 3000(NHG Polyclinics) or 66636847(NUP Polyclinics) to check on its availability.

If you do not have a valid prescription, you may wish to contact your doctor if in Singapore to enquire on how you can top up your medications.

Alternatively, you may need to consult a doctor to assess your medical conditions and discuss on the possible alternatives

Aspirin may be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription. There are different products for blood thinning and for pain relief. As blood thinners are used to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, it is important for your doctor to assess whether you should take aspirin, and monitor for any side effects.

There are three main types of aspirin:

For tablets which can be chewed:

• • Take with food or glass of water or milk
  • These tablets may be chewed or swallowed whole

For tablets which enteric coated:

• • Enteric coated forms of aspirin reduce stomach upset that is caused by the medicine
  • Take with a glass of water after food.
  • These tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not crush or chew the medicine.

Tablets which need to be dissolved in water (effervescent):

• • You should dissolve a tablet in one glass of cool boiled water and drink it after food

As I am not aware of your condition or any medicine that you may be taking, I am unable to advise if you should start taking aspirin, and at what dosage. You may wish to contact your doctor to find out more.

In general, it is recommended to space out the time of taking each dose as evenly as possible during the waking hours. This is to ensure that the concentration of the medication in the body is maintained to provide its effect and to reduce the risk of side effects. 

Certain medications may require people to take them at specific timings for the medication to be safe and effective, for various reasons. This includes (but are not limited to) the following:

• Medications that are formulated to be slowly released in the body throughout the day
• Medications that may cause side effects if taken at night
• Medications may work better when taken at specific times

Recommendations on how to space out doses may be different for specific medications. You may wish to speak to a pharmacist in person if you are facing difficulties in taking your medications on time, or if you wish to adjust your medication regimen for convenience. 

Rexobol 50 is not available in Singapore. You may wish to consult a doctor for a review and discuss on suitable alternatives that are available in Singapore.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Biocalth chewable tablets and caplets are suitable for vegetarians. They do not contain any seafood allergens according to the ingredients listed.

There are no known drug interactions with Atorvastatin to date and both can be taken together.

When a person takes in excess Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), the kidneys process it and the body removes it through the urine. Too much Ascorbic Acid may cause a buildup of oxalate in the body, which may increase the risk of forming calcium oxalate (kidney stones). This risk is especially for people with poor kidney function or a history of kidney stones.

It is recommended to consume not more than 2000mg of Ascorbic Acid per day.

If you do not have any history of kidney stones or poor kidney function, it is safe to consume a dose of 100mg once a day for supplementation. There may not be a need to reduce to take 100mg on alternate days.

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

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.

• 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.

• 21^st Century Acid Free C-1000

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

There are currently no products which are safe and effective in reducing belly fat.  In general, successful weight loss involves healthy eating and exercise habits. Eating a balanced diet which is low in fat and sugar, and high in fibre, can help with weight loss. It is also important to ensure that you do not consume more calories than your body requires each day. Exercise also play an important role in weight loss as it helps to burn off the calories consumed. To lose weight, adults require at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week, such as swimming, cycling or jogging. For more detailed information on weight loss, you may wish to speak to a dietician or consult your doctor for advice.

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.

Duromine contains the active ingredient phentermine, which is used in the management of obesity as part of a comprehensive weight reduction regimen. Duromine is not available in NHG Pharmacy. You may wish to contact other retail pharmacies to enquire on its availability, or you may seek consultation at a GP clinic that keeps this medication.

This product is not available in NHG Pharmacy. You may wish to visit the hospital or retail pharmacies to check its availability.

Guar gum, a fiber from the seed of the guar plant, is used as a laxative. Guar gum is also used in weight loss as it expands in the intestine to cause a sense of fullness and decrease appetite. Therefore, it is not recommended for people with conditions that may cause obstruction or narrowing of the esophagus or intestine. 

Inulin, a starchy substance found in fruits and vegetables, is not digested or absorbed in the stomach. It supports the growth of bifidobacteria, a type of good bacteria associated with improving bowel function. Excessive use of inulin may cause stomach discomfort.  

Citrus aurantium, also known as Seville orange, contains synephrine, which is structurally similar to epinephrine. Synephrine may increase blood pressure, and is not suitable for people with very high or uncontrolled blood pressure. It may also interact with some medications.  

If you have any medical conditions or are on any medications, I would advise you to check with your doctor first before consuming these products.

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.

Flagystatin pessary contains metronidazole and nystatin to treat vaginal infections.

It is recommended that you avoid vaginal sexual intercourse during the period of treatment. This is to ensure that your current medical issues are properly treated as well as to prevent unintentional exposure of the medication or the infection to the sexual partner.  

There are many causes of the belly area to be itchy. This includes:

1. Skin stretching

As the skin stretches to accommodate the growing foetus, there may be red or pink strips noted around the abdomen area known as stretch marks. These stretch marks may be common on the breasts, thighs and buttocks during pregnancy. These stretch marks may cause the skin to become itchy.

2. Dry skin

Due to hormonal changes, many pregnant women may experience dry skin. This may cause skin to lose moisture and elasticity. Some might notice flaking of the skin as well.

3. Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP).

It causes small red bumps and hives to develop on the skin in the later stages of pregnancy. The bumps can form plaques or patches. This condition usually resolves soon after pregnancy.

The use of moisturizers may help reduce the itch she is experiencing. Most of the moisturizers that can be purchased over the counter are generally safe for use in pregnancy. Examples include Aqueous cream and urea cream. Moisturizing products that contain coconut oil, cocoa butter, peptides and hyaluronic acid may also be used as it helps to improve hydration.  You may refer to our website for the range of moisturizers available for purchase here.

As I would not be able to assess the severity and extent of your wife’s skin condition, I would advise you to consult a pharmacist or doctor in person for appropriate treatment and advise.

If she notices any of the following unusual symptoms, do bring her to consult a doctor or her gynecologist for more advice:

• Severe itching
• Widespread involvement of the itch/rashes or rashes that develops to blisters
• Yellowing of the skin
• Pain or fever

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.

Ural Effervescent Granules is a urinary alkaliniser that is used to provide pain relief from urinary tract infection. It is available for sale over-the-counter at all NHG Pharmacy outlets.

However, we do not stock Cran Lite Effervescent Powder.

For further enquiries on cost and availability, you may contact NHG Pharmacy at 6355 3000.