World Pharmacy

Category: Treatments And Advice

  • Premature Ejaculation

    Premature Ejaculation

    WHAT IS PREMATURE EJACULATION?

    Premature ejaculation is not an uncommon condition for men to experience at some point in their life. It refers to instances where a man comes to climax “too early some or most of the time” when they engage in sexual intercourse. However, the definition of what constitutes “too early” can change from individual to individual, though most professionals define premature ejaculation as when a man ejaculates after less than two minutes of being aroused.

    Premature ejaculation can occur during all forms of sexual activity, including vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, masturbation and simple physical contact.

    WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PREMATURE EJACULATION AND ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION?

    Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are often associated with one another, and can even be confused for each other, as they are both male sexual health conditions that relate to sexual activity and the male erection.

    However, it is important to differentiate between the two conditions in order to select the most appropriate treatment. The main difference between the two conditions is that premature ejaculation is ejaculating too quickly, whilst erectile dysfunction (otherwise known as impotence) is an inability to achieve or maintain an erection.

    If you still aren’t sure which condition you’re suffering from, speak to one of the Express Pharmacy team today using our discreet Live Chat service or by calling 0208 123 0703.

    WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PREMATURE EJACULATION?

    It is currently difficult to gain a clear diagnosis of premature ejaculation, as the guidelines for what the specific symptoms of the condition are is often changing. This is largely due to the fact that all men have a different idea regarding how long sexual intercourse should last, so one man’s concerns may be non-existent in another man who ejaculates after the same period of time.

    There has been no specific length established for how long sexual intercourse should last. However, studies into the conditions have set certain guidelines which allow us to establish two main symptoms of premature ejaculation. These include:

    • Reaching the point of ejaculation within two minutes (120 seconds) or less of becoming aroused
    • This problem occurring regularly. Most men will experience “one off” or intermittent instances of premature ejaculation at some point in their life.

    The regular experience of reaching ejaculation within two minutes is the surest sign that you may potentially be suffering with premature ejaculation. However, it is still beneficial to discuss your symptoms with a medical professional in order to gain a clear diagnosis.

    The embarrassment associated with premature ejaculation is common but often misplaced. Infrequent or intermittent premature ejaculation can be embarrassing and inconvenient, but it does not necessarily indicate a sexual dysfunction. Perhaps the surest sign of persistent premature ejaculation is where a man finds that the problem does not ease even when they have become comfortable with their sexual partner.

    WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF PREMATURE EJACULATION?

    There are many factors which can be at the root of premature ejaculation, which is why so many men experience the condition. These causes can be both physical and psychological, or it can be brought on by lifestyle factors too.

    Physical causes of premature ejaculation include:

    • Spinal injuries
    • Diabetes
    • Vascular conditions
    • Prostate disease
    • High blood pressure
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Neurological conditions

    Psychological causes of premature ejaculation include:

    • Stress
    • Anxiety
    • Guilt
    • Nervousness
    • A lack of confidence
    • Unresolved emotional issues
    • Sexual inexperience

    Lifestyle factors which can contribute to premature ejaculation include:

    • Excessive alcohol consumption
    • Drug use
    • Nicotine

    HOW TO TREAT PREMATURE EJACULATION

    The first step to resolving your premature ejaculation is to understand what is causing the condition. This will give you a clue as to what method of treatment will benefit you. For example, if your premature ejaculation is simply due to nervousness, this will likely get better as you become more sexually confident.

    Lifestyle changes can help reduce symptoms of premature ejaculation if the condition is indeed caused by lifestyle choices like drinking and drug use, whilst therapy or opening up to a partner can help alleviate premature ejaculation caused by psychological concerns. If the condition is caused by an underlying physical issue, treating this concern can help alleviate your premature ejaculation.

    Prescription medication is an effective method of premature ejaculation relief, particularly SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Premature ejaculation medication such as Priligy uses the active ingredient Dapoxetine to encourage ejaculation delay during sexual intercourse.

  • Aspirin

    Aspirin

    Low-dose aspirin

    1. About low-dose aspirin
    2. Key facts
    3. Who can and can’t take low-dose aspirin
    4. How and when to take it
    5. Side effects
    6. How to cope with side effects
    7. Pregnancy and breastfeeding
    8. Cautions with other medicines
    9. Common questions

     

    1. About low-dose aspirin

    Daily low-dose aspirin is a blood thinning medicine. Aspirin is also known as acetylsalicylic acid.

    Low-dose aspirin helps to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people at high risk of them.

    Your doctor may suggest that you take a daily low dose if you have had a stroke or a heart attack to help stop you having another one.

    Or, if you’re at high risk of heart attack – for example, if you have had heart surgery or if you have chest pain caused by heart disease (angina).

    Only take daily low-dose aspirin if your doctor recommends it.

    Low-dose aspirin comes as tablets. It’s available on prescription. You can also buy it from pharmacies, shops and supermarkets.

    Children are sometimes treated with low-dose aspirin after heart surgery or to treat a rare illness called Kawasaki disease. Children should only take low-dose aspirin if their doctor prescribes it.

    Taking low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attacks and strokes is not the same as taking aspirin as a painkiller. Read our information on aspirin for pain relief.

    2. Key facts

    • Daily low-dose aspirin makes the blood less sticky and helps to prevent heart attacks and stroke.
    • It’s usual to take a dose of 75mg once a day. Sometimes doses may be higher.
    • It’s best to take low-dose aspirin with food so it doesn’t upset your stomach.
    • Taking low-dose aspirin isn’t safe for everyone. Only take low-dose aspirin if your doctor recommends it.
    • Low-dose aspirin is also called by the brand names Caprin, Danamep, Micropirin and Nu-seals.

    3. Who can and can’t take low-dose aspirin

    Most people aged 16 or over can safely take low-dose aspirin if their doctor recommends it.

    Low-dose aspirin isn’t suitable for certain people.

    It’s sometimes called baby aspirin because of the small dose, but it’s not safe for children.

    Never give aspirin to a child younger than 16, unless their doctor prescribes it.

    There’s a possible link between aspirin and Reye’s syndrome in children.

    Reye’s syndrome is a very rare illness that can cause serious liver and brain damage.

    Important

    Never give aspirin to children younger than 16, unless their doctor prescribes it.

    To make sure low-dose aspirin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

    • an allergy to aspirin or similar painkillers such as ibuprofen
    • ever had a stomach ulcer
    • high blood pressure
    • indigestion
    • heavy periods – taking daily aspirin can make them heavier
    • recently had a stroke (low-dose aspirin isn’t suitable for some types of stroke)
    • asthma or lung disease
    • ever had a blood clotting problem
    • liver or kidney problems
    • gout – it can get worse if you take daily aspirin

    Check with your doctor that it’s safe for you to take low-dose aspirin if you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or if you want to breastfeed.

    4. How and when to take it

    Take low-dose aspirin once a day. Don’t take it on an empty stomach. It’s best to take it with or just after food. This will make it less likely to upset your stomach.

    How much should I take?

    Your doctor will discuss what dose is right for you. It’s important to take low-dose aspirin exactly as recommended by your doctor.

    The usual dose to prevent a heart attack or stroke is 75mg once a day (a regular strength tablet for pain relief is 300mg).

    The daily dose may be higher – up to 300mg once a day – especially if you have just had a stroke, heart attack or heart bypass surgery.

    Different types of low-dose aspirin tablets

    Low-dose aspirin comes as several different types of tablet:

    • standard tablets – that you swallow whole with water
    • soluble tablets – that you dissolve in a glass of water
    • enteric coated tablets – that you swallow whole with water. These tablets have a special coating that means they may be gentler on your stomach. Do not chew or crush them because it’ll stop the coating working. If you also take indigestion remedies, take them at least 2 hours before or after you take your aspirin. The antacid in the indigestion remedy affects the way the coating on these tablets works.

    You can buy low-dose enteric coated aspirin and low-dose soluble aspirin from pharmacies, shops and supermarkets.

    What if I forget to take it?

    If you forget to take a dose of aspirin, take it as soon as you remember. If you don’t remember until the following day, skip the missed dose.

    Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

    If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicine.

    What if I take too much?

    Taking 1 or 2 extra tablets by accident is unlikely to be harmful.

    The amount of aspirin that can lead to overdose varies from person to person.

    Urgent advice:

    Call your doctor straight away if:

    You take too much aspirin by accident and experience side effects such as:

    • feeling sick (nausea)
    • ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
    • hearing problems
    • confusion
    • dizziness

    If you need to go to a hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department, do not drive yourself – get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

    Take the aspirin packet or leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine, with you.

    5. Side effects

    Like all medicines, aspirin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

    Common side effects

    Common side effects of aspirin happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

    Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or don’t go away:

    • mild indigestion
    • bleeding more easily than normal – because aspirin thins your blood, it can sometimes make you bleed more easily. For example, you may get nosebleeds and bruise more easily, and if you cut yourself, the bleeding may take longer than normal to stop.

    Serious side effects

    It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects after taking low-dose aspirin.

    Call a doctor straight away if you get:

    • red, blistered and peeling skin
    • coughing up blood or blood in your pee, poo or vomit
    • yellow skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow – this can be a sign of liver problems
    • painful joints in the hands and feet – this can be a sign of high levels of uric acid in the blood
    • swollen hands or feet – this can be a sign of water retention

    Serious allergic reaction

    In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction to aspirin.

    Immediate action required:

    Call 999 or go to A&E if:

    • you get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
    • you’re wheezing
    • you get tightness in the chest or throat
    • you have trouble breathing or talking
    • your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling

    You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

    These aren’t all the side effects of aspirin.

    For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

    Information:

    You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme.

    6. How to cope with side effects

    What to do about:

    • mild indigestion – take your aspirin with food. If the indigestion still doesn’t go away, it could be a sign that the aspirin has caused a stomach ulcer. Talk to your doctor – they may prescribe something to protect your stomach or switch you to a different medicine.
    • bleeding more easily than normal – be careful when doing activities that might cause an injury or a cut. Always wear a helmet when cycling. Wear gloves when you use sharp objects like scissors, knives, and gardening tools. Use an electric razor instead of wet shaving, and use a soft toothbrush and waxed dental floss to clean your teeth. See a doctor if you’re worried about any bleeding.

    7. Pregnancy and breastfeeding

    Pregnancy and low-dose aspirin

    It’s generally safe to take low-dose aspirin during pregnancy, as long as your doctor has said it’s OK.

    Your doctor may advise you to take low-dose aspirin during pregnancy:

    • to help prevent heart attack and stroke
    • to help prevent pre-eclampsia (pregnancy-related high blood pressure)
    • if you’re having fertility treatment
    • if you have had several previous miscarriages

    For more information about how low-dose aspirin can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read this leaflet on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.

    Breastfeeding and low-dose aspirin

    Aspirin is not generally recommended while you’re breastfeeding.

    But your doctor may suggest that you take low-dose aspirin while you’re breastfeeding if they think the benefits of the medicine outweigh the possible harm.

    Non-urgent advice:

    Tell your doctor if you’re:

    • trying to get pregnant
    • pregnant
    • breastfeeding

    8. Cautions with other medicines

    Some medicines interfere with the way aspirin works.

    Tell your doctor if you’re taking these medicines before you start taking aspirin:

    • medicines to thin blood or prevent blood clots, such as clopidogrel and warfarin – taking them with aspirin might cause bleeding problems
    • medicines for pain and inflammation, such as ibuprofen and prednisolone
    • medicines to prevent organ rejection after a transplant, such as ciclosporin and tacrolimus
    • medicines to treat high blood pressure, such as furosemide and ramipril
    • digoxin, a medicine for heart problems
    • lithium, a medicine for mental health problems
    • acetazolamide, for an eye problem called glaucoma
    • methotrexate, a medicine used to stop the immune system overreacting and sometimes to treat some types of cancer
    • diabetes medicines, such as insulin and gliclazide

    Mixing low-dose aspirin with painkillers

    It’s safe to take paracetamol with low-dose aspirin.

    But don’t take ibuprofen at the same time as low-dose aspirin without talking to your doctor.

    Aspirin and ibuprofen both belong to the same group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

    If you take them together, it can increase your chances of side effects like stomach irritation.

    Mixing low-dose aspirin with herbal remedies or supplements

    Aspirin may not mix well with quite a lot of complementary and herbal medicines. Aspirin could change the way they work and increase your chances of side effects.

    For safety, speak to your pharmacist or doctor before taking any herbal or alternative remedies with aspirin.

    Important

    Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.

  • Diarrhoea and Vomiting

    Diarrhoea and Vomiting

    Diarrhoea and vomiting are common in adults, children and babies. They’re often caused by a stomach bug and should stop in a few days.

    The advice is the same if you have diarrhoea and vomiting together or separately.

    How to treat diarrhoea and vomiting yourself

    You can usually treat yourself or your child at home. The most important thing is to have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.

    Do

    • stay at home and get plenty of rest
    • drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash – take small sips if you feel sick
    • carry on breast or bottle feeding your baby – if they’re being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual
    • give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds
    • eat when you feel able to – you don’t need to eat or avoid any specific foods
    • take paracetamol if you’re in discomfort – check the leaflet before giving it to your child

    Don’t

    • do not have fruit juice or fizzy drinks – they can make diarrhoea worse
    • do not make baby formula weaker – use it at its usual strength
    • do not give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea
    • do not give aspirin to children under 16

    How long diarrhoea and vomiting last

    In adults and children:

    • diarrhoea usually stops within 5 to 7 days
    • vomiting usually stops in 1 or 2 days

    Diarrhoea and vomiting can spread easily

    Important

    Stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.

    To help avoid spreading an infection:

    Do

    • wash your hands with soap and water frequently
    • wash any clothing or bedding that has poo or vomit on it separately on a hot wash
    • clean toilet seats, flush handles, taps, surfaces and door handles every day

    Don’t

    • do not prepare food for other people, if possible
    • do not share towels, flannels, cutlery or utensils
    • do not use a swimming pool until 2 weeks after the symptoms stop

    A pharmacist can help if:

    • you or your child (over 5 years) have signs of dehydration – such as dark, smelly pee or peeing less than usual
    • you need to stop diarrhoea for a few hours

    They may recommend:

    • oral rehydration sachets you mix with water to make a drink
    • medicine to stop diarrhoea for a few hours (like loperamide) – not suitable for children under 12
  • HIV Testing Kit

    HIV Testing Kit

    WHAT IS HIV?

    HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. If not treated, this virus can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS. This virus attacks the body’s immune system – specifically your CD4 cells or T-cells which help you fight off infections.

    With your immune system compromised, you become more susceptible to other infections and infection-related cancers. Over time, HIV can destroy most of your T-Cells to the point where your body can no longer fight infections and diseases. When this happens, opportunistic infections set in, resulting in AIDS.

    3 STAGES OF HIV

    People who don’t receive HIV treatment go through 3 stages:

    Stage 1: Acute HIV Infection

    Symptoms begin as a flu-like illness that occur within 4 weeks of infection. This can last for a few weeks. During this stage, people infected with HIV are very contagious. Unfortunately, most of those infected are not aware because they may not feel severely sick. An antigen test or nucleic acid (NAT) test is necessary to know if you are infected with HIV or not.

    State 2: HIV Dormancy

    This stage is often referred to as chronic HIV infection or asymptomatic HIV infection. During this phase, HIV becomes dormant or inactive and reproduces very slowly. Usually, this stage doesn’t have any symptoms.

    You can be in this stage of the infection for decades or even longer. Although, there are cases where some people progress through this phase fast. If you are taking HIV treatment, the dormancy stage can last for several decades.

    During this phase, you can still transmit the virus to other people. However, there are HIV treatments that can keep you virally suppressed so you don’t end up transmitting HIV to your sexual partners.

    After dormancy, the virus multiplies rapidly again and symptoms start to show up.

    Stage 3: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

    This is the most severe and final stage of an HIV infection. Because your immune system is badly compromised, you become more likely to fall victim of severe, opportunistic illnesses like:

    • Tuberculosis
    • Pneumonia
    • Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Toxoplasmosis (a brain infection caused by a parasite)
    • Cytomegalovirus (a type of herpes)
    • Cryptococcal meningitis (a fungal infection of the brain)

    AIDS-related deaths are not caused by the virus itself. Rather, it’s due to the complication of illnesses caused by a severely weakened immune system. People with AIDS will survive for about 3 years and tend to be very contagious.

    WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF HIV?

    Scientists believe that HIV appeared as early as the 1920s. HIV is a mutation of the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) that infects African chimpanzees. The virus entered the human population when people ate infected chimpanzee meat. SIV then mutated into what’s now known as HIV.

    For several decades, HIV spread throughout Africa until it found its way to the other parts of the world. It was in 1959 when scientists first discovered HIV in human blood.

    WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HIV?

    HIV can be very tricky to diagnose without professional help. During its dormancy stage which could last for decades, you may not have any symptoms at all. And if you do have symptoms, they’ll most likely be non-specific, meaning they won’t point to a particular disease.

    Below are some examples of these non-specific symptoms:

    • Shingles
    • Headaches
    • Pneumonia
    • Recurring fevers
    • Recurring oral or vaginal yeast infections
    • Night sweats
    • Skin rashes (often characterised by many flat, raised, small red lesions)
    • Nausea
    • Weight loss
    • Diarrhoea
    • Vomiting

    As you can see, these HIV symptoms can point to one disease or another. If you are feeling one or two of these symptoms and you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, get yourself tested.

    WHERE CAN I DO A HIV TEST?

    The simplest way to test for HIV is through using HIV testing kits, as you will get your results within minutes. These kits are available to be delivered discreetly through Express Pharmacy and our BioSure HIV Testing Kit is proven to be 99.7% accurate in testing for HIV.

    High-risk groups, in particular, are advised to get tested for HIV regularly. These groups include:

    • Men who have sex with men – get tested every 3 months if you are having unprotected sex with multiple partners.
    • African men and women – get a HIV test and a regular STI and HIV screen if you are engaging in unprotected sex with multiple partners.
    • People who share syringes and needles

    Sharing your HIV status is not a mandatory requirement, as living with HIV may take time getting used to. However, you and your recent sexual partners must be tested if you have suspicions or a diagnosis.

    IS THERE A CURE FOR HIV?

    Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for HIV. The most effective method we have right now against HIV is antiretroviral treatment. This type of HIV treatment doesn’t eliminate the virus, but it does help to control the growth of HIV, allowing you to live a happy and healthy life.

    HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM HIV?

    Public Health England (PHE) reports that 95% of people diagnosed with HIV have been infected via sexual contact. Using a condom is the main and most effective method of protection. This means using a condom for all types of sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal and oral sexual activities.

    Another way to protect yourself from HIV is to ensure that you are not sharing needles, syringes or other injecting equipment. This will prevent cross-contamination of bodily fluids.

    WARWICK PHARMACY IS HERE TO HELP

    Understanding HIV and understanding the symptoms can be a daunting process. At Warwick Pharmacy, we want to help you feel confident in your test results and seek professional help, should you require it.

  • Sore Throat Testing And Relief

    Sore Throat Testing And Relief

    Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better by themselves within a week.

    How to treat a sore throat yourself

    To help soothe a sore throat and shorten how long it lasts, you can:

    • gargle with warm, salty water (children should not try this)
    • drink plenty of water
    • eat cool or soft foods
    • avoid smoking or smoky places
    • suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets – but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
    • rest

    A pharmacist can help with sore throats

    To help relieve the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, you can:

    • use paracetamol or ibuprofen
    • use medicated lozenges or anaesthetic sprays (although there’s little proof they help)

    You can buy them from a supermarket or from a pharmacist without a prescription.

    See a GP if:

    • your sore throat does not improve after a week
    • you often get sore throats
    • you’re worried about your sore throat
    • you have a sore throat and a very high temperature, or you feel hot and shivery
    • you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of diabetes or chemotherapy

    A severe or long-lasting sore throat could be something like strep throat (a bacterial throat infection).

    Antibiotics

    GPs do not normally prescribe antibiotics for sore throats because they will not usually relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.

    They’ll only be prescribed if your GP thinks you could have a bacterial infection.

    Immediate action required:

    Call 999 if:

    • you have difficulty swallowing or breathing
    • you’re drooling
    • you’re making a high-pitched sound as you breathe (called stridor)
    • your symptoms are severe and getting worse quickly

    These symptoms can make breathing more difficult.

    Causes and symptoms of sore throats

    Sore throats are usually caused by viruses (like cold or flu) or from smoking. Very occasionally they can be caused by bacteria.

    Symptoms include:

    • a painful throat, especially when swallowing
    • a dry, scratchy throat
    • redness in the back of the mouth
    • bad breath
    • a mild cough
    • swollen neck glands

    The symptoms are similar for children, but children can also get a temperature and appear less active.

    Conditions that can cause a sore throat

    • laryngitis
    • tonsillitis
    • strep throat (a bacterial throat infection)
    • glandular fever

     

  • Asthma Inhalers

    Asthma Inhalers

    Buy Asthma Inhalers straight from your pharmacist

    Your Pharmacist is now qualified to sell you a salbutamol (blue) asthama inhaler after a short consultation in the private consultation room.

    This is not an NHS service and you will be required to pay for the inhaler, but there is no need for an appointment and provided you are suitable for the product you can leave with it straight away.

    Salbutamol (sal-bue-tar-moll) is a medicine which is used in asthma and bronchospasm.

    The information in this Medicine Guide for salbutamol varies according to the condition being treated and the particular preparation used.

    Your medicine

    In breathing disorders, Salbutamol relaxes muscles in the air passages of the lungs. It helps to keep the airways open, making it easier to breathe.

    Inhaled preparations of Salbutamol are fast acting. They can make your breathing easier and relieve bronchospasm within minutes.

    Always have your inhaler with you in case you need it. Ask your prescriber or nurse for advice on what to do if you have an asthma attack.

    You can use Salbutamol to prevent asthma attacks caused by triggers such as house dust, pollen, cats, dogs and exercise.

    When you are having an asthma attack you should use a fast acting preparation of Salbutamol as directed by your prescriber. If your normal inhaled dose of Salbutamol does not give you the same amount of relief then you should contact your prescriber for more advice. They may want you to have additional treatment.

    You need to use Salbutamol as prescribed in order to get the best results from using it. The pharmacy label will tell you how much you should take.

    Other information about Salbutamol:

    • in certain situations your prescriber may advise you to use a higher dose of your medicine than normal
    • Do not share your medicine with other people. It may not be suitable for them and may harm them.
    • The pharmacy label on your medicine tells you how much medicine you should use. It also tells you how often you should use your medicine. This is the dose that you and your prescriber have agreed you should use. You should not change the dose of your medicine unless you are told to do so by your prescriber.
    • If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber.

    Whether this medicine is suitable for you

    Salbutamol is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.

    Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:

    are allergic or sensitive to or have had a reaction to any of the ingredients in the medicine
    have a low level of oxygen in the blood
    have heartdisease
    have thyrotoxicosis
    Furthermore the prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all for a child under four years of age.

    As part of the process of assessing suitability to take this medicine a prescriber may also arrange tests:

    to check that this medicine is not having any undesired effects
    Over time it is possible that Salbutamol can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Salbutamol has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.

  • Dry And Itchy Eyes

    Dry And Itchy Eyes

    Many people get dry eyes. It’s not usually serious and there are things you can do to help.

    Check if you have dry eyes

    You may have dry eyes if your eyes are:

    • itchy
    • sore
    • gritty
    • red
    • blurry
    • sensitive to light
    • more watery than normal

    Causes of dry eyes

    You may be more likely to get dry eyes if:

    • you’re over the age of 50
    • you wear contact lenses
    • you look at computer screens for a long time without a break
    • you spend time in air conditioned or heated environments
    • it’s windy, cold, dry or dusty
    • you smoke or drink alcohol
    • you take certain medicines (for example, some antidepressants or blood pressure drugs)
    • you have a condition, such as blepharitis, Sjögren’s syndrome or lupus

    How to treat dry eyes yourself

    Do

    • keep your eyes clean
    • take breaks to rest your eyes when using a computer screen
    • make sure your computer screen is at eye level so you do not strain your eyes
    • use a humidifier to stop the air getting dry
    • get plenty of sleep to rest your eyes
    • if you wear contact lenses, take them out and wear glasses to rest your eyes

    Don’t

    • do not smoke or drink too much alcohol
    • do not spend too long in smoky, dry or dusty places
    • do not spend too long in air conditioned or heated rooms
    • do not stop taking a prescribed medicine without getting medical advice first – even if you think it’s causing your symptoms

    How to keep your eyes clean

    A pharmacist may be able to help with dry eyes

    A pharmacist may be able to tell you:

    • what you can do to treat it yourself – such as cleaning and protecting your eyes
    • if you can buy anything to help – such as eye drops, gels, ointments or allergy medicines
    • if you need to see an optician or GP

    Non-urgent advice:

    See an optician or GP if:

    • you still have dry eyes after trying home treatments for a few weeks
    • there’s any change in the shape of your eyelids

    They can check what the cause might be and recommend treatment for it.

    If an optician or GP cannot find a cause, they may refer you to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) for tests.

  • Incontinence (Urinary)

    Incontinence (Urinary)

    Incontinence pads and other products and devices can make life easier for you if you’re waiting for a diagnosis or for a treatment to work.

    A wide range of products and devices are available for urinary incontinence.

    They include:

    • pads and pants
    • bed and chair protection
    • catheters and penile sheaths
    • skincare and hygiene products
    • specially adapted clothing and swimwear

    Pads and pull-up pants

    The most popular incontinence products are absorbent pads that are worn inside underwear to soak up urine.

    Pads and pull-up pants use the same technology as babies’ nappies and have a “hydrophobic” layer which draws urine away from the surface of the product, so your skin stays dry.

    If you have mild to moderate incontinence you can buy thin, discreet pads or pull-up pants for men and women from many supermarkets and pharmacies.

    For people with severe leaks, continence clinics and district nurses can supply incontinence pads on the NHS, but these tend to be big and bulky.

    “I would not recommend that people with urinary incontinence use pads without advice from a doctor or continence adviser,” says Karen Logan, consultant continence nurse at Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust.

    “But as a temporary measure, they can really improve your quality of life and save you from being housebound or spending all your time in the toilet.”

    Avoid sanitary pads for incontinence

    “Many women use sanitary pads instead of incontinence pads because they’re cheaper, but they do not have the same technology. They stay damp and they can make your skin sore,” says Logan.

    “I recommend paying the extra for incontinence pads as they’re much more effective and comfortable.”

    Using tampons for stress incontinence

    Placing a tampon in your vagina puts pressure on the neck of your bladder to stop leaks on exertion. However, do not regularly use super-size tampons to prevent sudden leaks if you have stress incontinence.

    The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) does not recommend using tampons for the routine management of urinary incontinence in women.

    However, tampons can be used occasionally, when necessary, to prevent leaks. For example, during exercise.

    Appliances and bedding

    Other useful incontinence products for more severe leaks include urinals (devices that collect urine), or sheaths and drainage systems (if you have a penis).

    A variety of incontinence bedding is also available, such as washable bed pads that sit on top of the mattress and soak up any overnight leaks. The pads stay dry to the touch and they can be useful for trips away from home.

    Can I get incontinence products on the NHS?

    You may be able to get incontinence products on the NHS depending on your local clinical commissioning group. To qualify for NHS products you may need to be assessed by a healthcare professional.

  • Stop Smoking

    Stop Smoking

    HOW DO YOU STOP SMOKING?

    Recognising the dangers of smoking is the first step to quitting for good. There are several ways to go about kicking the habit, from behavioural therapy to nicotine replacement products. There is no single way for everyone to quit smoking. But it is important to note that, statistically, only between 4 and 7% of people who try to go cold turkey without help or support will succeed.

    Medication such as Champix is a proven effective method for relieving cravings and symptoms of withdrawal by reducing your body’s reliance on nicotine. Champix is unique in that it uses the active ingredient varenicline, which bonds with nicotine receptors in the brain to reduce the sensations you experience when you smoke. Champix has been proven to help individuals stop smoking in just two weeks.

    WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO QUIT SMOKING?

    Nicotine is the highly addictive drug contained within cigarettes. It affects many parts of your body, including your brain, and over time your body develops a tolerance to the substance which makes it difficult to abandon the habit completely. Evidence suggests that between 80 and 90% of people who smoke regularly live with a nicotine addiction.

    Once ingested, nicotine reaches the brain within ten seconds and releases adrenaline, giving you a buzz of pleasant energy. Once a tolerance is developed, more and more nicotine is necessary to reach this buzz. As such, smokers become dependent on smoking and often turn to it when they are feeling sad, tired, irritable or stressed.

    Over time, smoking becomes a physical habit which is hard to break, and individuals who have quit smoking often describe feeling restless and lacking in something to occupy their hands in the early stages of their giving up process.

    WHAT DAMAGE DOES SMOKING CAUSE?

    Smoking accounts for more than 80,000 deaths each year in England alone. This makes it the single biggest cause of preventable deaths. Half of all smokers will die from a smoking-related disease.

    Smoking affects your circulation, as toxins from cigarettes enter your bloodstream. This then thickens the blood and increases your chances of clot formation, as well as increasing your blood pressure and heart rate. You will also experience a narrowing of the arteries, reducing the amount of oxygen-rich blood circulating to your organs. This combination of factors greatly increases your chances of developing heart disease or having a stroke.

    Smoking has a negative impact on the health of your heart, stomach, skin, bones, brains and of course your lungs. As well as increasing your chances of coughs, colds and asthma, smoking also causes fatal conditions like pneumonia and lung cancer, as well as respiratory conditions like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

    In fact, smoking causes 84% of deaths from lung cancer and 83% of deaths from COPD.

    WHY SHOULD YOU STOP SMOKING?

    As soon as you stop smoking, you will begin to notice an improvement in your overall health and wellbeing. Stopping smoking:

    • Helps you breathe more easily
    • Gives you more energy
    • Improves sexual performance (smoking increases the risk of erectile dysfunction in men between 30 and 50 years old by around 50%)
    • Reduces feelings of stress
    • Improves fertility (on average, women who smoke are only 72% as fertile as non-smokers)
    • Slows facial ageing and decay
    • Improves dental health
    • Can add up to 10 years to your life (based on a man quitting at the age of 30).

    You should also quit smoking for the benefit of those around you. Breathing in second hand smoke increases risks of lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, can be particularly damaging for any young children in your home.

    If you have decided to quit smoking and looking for someone to help you on this journey then you have come to the right place. Research has shown that you are more likely to be successful at quitting smoking with counseling and Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) then try to quit without.

    The benefits of quitting smoking are huge and it’s never too late to quit. It is a process which starts with you wanting to quit. There is a wide range of NRT products available to help you with quitting smoking. You can use a combination of products to help you overcome the nicotine cravings.

    One of our team will help create a plan for you and have regular reviews with you to monitor your progress and to provide information and encouragement during this journey. We are passionate about helping our customers with quitting smoking as it has huge health benefits for the customer.

    We stock some of the leading brands of NRT products such as Nicorette, Nicotinell, and Niquitin. The products are available in a range of different forms such as patches, chewing gum, lozenges, inhalators, nasal sprays, and microtabs. Come into our pharmacy or contact us for more details.

  • Athlete’s foot

    Athlete’s foot

    Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that affects the feet. You can usually treat it with creams, sprays or powders from a pharmacy, but it can keep coming back.

    Check if you have athlete’s foot

    Symptoms of athlete’s foot include:

    • Itchy white patches between your toes.
    • Red, sore and flaky patches on your feet.
    • Skin that may crack and bleed.

    It can also affect your soles or sides of your feet. If it’s not treated, it can spread to your toenails and cause a fungal nail infection.

    Athlete’s foot sometimes causes fluid-filled blisters.

    A pharmacist can help with athlete’s foot

    Athlete’s foot is unlikely to get better on its own, but you can buy antifungal medicines for it from a pharmacy. They usually take a few weeks to work.

    Athlete’s foot treatments are available as:

    • creams
    • sprays
    • powders

    They’re not all suitable for everyone – for example, some are only for adults. Always check the packet or ask a pharmacist.

    You might need to try a few treatments to find one that works best for you.

    How you can help treat and prevent athlete’s foot yourself

    You can keep using some pharmacy treatments to stop athlete’s foot coming back.

    It’s also important to keep your feet clean and dry. You don’t need to stay off work or school.

    Do

    • dry your feet after washing them, particularly between your toes – dab them dry rather than rubbing them
    • use a separate towel for your feet and wash it regularly
    • take your shoes off when at home
    • wear clean socks every day – cotton socks are best

    Don’t

    • do not scratch affected skin – this can spread it to other parts of your body
    • do not walk around barefoot – wear flip-flops in places like changing rooms and showers
    • do not share towels, socks or shoes with other people
    • do not wear the same pair of shoes for more than 2 days in a row
    • do not wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty

    Important

    Keep following this advice after finishing treatment to help stop athlete’s foot coming back.

    Non-urgent advice:

    See a GP if:

    • treatments from a pharmacy do not work
    • you’re in a lot of discomfort
    • your foot is red, hot and painful – this could be a more serious infection
    • you have diabetes – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes
    • you have a weakened immune system – for example, you have had an organ transplant or are having chemotherapy

    Information:

    Treatment for athlete’s foot from a GP

    Your GP may:

    • send a small scraping of skin from your feet to a laboratory to check you have athlete’s foot
    • prescribe a steroid cream to use alongside anti-fungal cream
    • prescribe anti-fungal tablets – you might need to take these for several weeks
    • refer you to a specialist called a dermatologist for more tests and treatment if needed

    How you get athlete’s foot

    You can catch athlete’s foot from other people with the infection.

    You can get it by:

    • walking barefoot in places where someone else has athlete’s foot – especially changing rooms and showers
    • touching the affected skin of someone with athlete’s foot

    You’re more likely to get it if you have wet or sweaty feet, or if the skin on your feet is damaged.