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#MedicationSafety #cigarettes #medicationquestions #TriaHealth #TobaccoCessation #MedicationTherapyManagement #clinicalpharmacist

There are significant health benefits associated with quitting tobacco. Within one year of kicking the habit an individual’s risk of coronary heart disease will cut in half. What’s the magic solution to help you quit successfully? Studies have shown: The use of approved medications for tobacco cessation doubles the likelihood of successfully quitting. The effects of medications used for tobacco cessation increase substantially when paired with behavioral intervention. There are three FDA-approved drugs for smoking cessation: nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patch, lozenge, nasal spray, inhaler), bupropion, and Chantix. Read facts about each of these below. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): •  Use of NRT products approximately doubles quit rates •  Available in many forms to fit your preferences and lifestyle •  The patch, gum and lozenge are available over-the-counter •  The nasal spray and inhaler are prescription only Bupropion SR (Zyban): •  Prescription only •  Also an antidepressant; might be beneficial for individuals with depression Chantix: •  Prescription only, expensive if not covered •  Decent success rate when taken as prescribed and well tolerated •  Has more intolerable side effects than the other agents available It’s important to consult your physician and/or pharmacist to help you determine the best medication option for you. #MedicationSafety #cigarettes #quittobacco #chantix #medicationquestions #overthecountermedication #nicorette #Pharmacycare #TriaHealth #medicationmanagement #TobaccoCessation #clinicalpharmacist

What are electronic cigarettes?  Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) came onto the market in 2007 and are battery operated devices that deliver nicotine via vapor. These differ from the traditional cigarette as there is no tobacco in the e-cig compared to its traditional counterpart. Great unknowns about e-cigs: Long-term risks associated with the inhalation of nicotine vapor Exactly how much nicotine is delivered per inhalation If there is proven benefit to using these products What exactly is in the e-cigarette nicotine cartridge (many of these are manufactured in China and under no quality control) Research: A study published in the journal of Addictive Behaviors found that people who use e-cigs in order to quit smoking either became hooked on the e-cig or go back to using traditional cigarettes. A study published in The Lancet found no statistically significant difference concerning the use of the e-cig compared the nicotine patch in terms of smoking cessation benefits. Faulty Reasoning: It is believed that the use of the e-cig creates an illusion on behalf of the smoker as they think they are doing something positive for themselves. In reality, the individual is maintaining their smoking habit.  Editors of The Lancet consider the e-cig “a moral quandary”. Other researchers agree that converting millions of smokers to the e-cig won’t necessarily lead to a cleaner, healthier environment as individuals are still addicted to nicotine. Take Home Message: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not find a therapeutic purpose or benefit to the electronic cigarette at this time. #cigarettes #medicationquestions #Smokingdeterrents #electroniccigarettes #medicationmanagement #TobaccoCessation #MedicationTherapyManagement #ecigarettes

Promises of miraculous fat burning capabilities have turned raspberry ketones into a multi-million dollar product. This compound found in red raspberries has been traditionally used by the perfume and manufactured food industries to produce a berry-like scent. Health care providers have turned a curious eye to this “miracle drug” and found two studies in mice and one small study in humans to support its medical use. The human study evaluated the use of topical raspberry ketone cream on hair growth and skin elasticity.  There are no human studies evaluating the use of this supplement as a weight loss aid. Raspberry ketone supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so manufacturers are not required to produce clinical studies that prove its safety and efficacy, rather, they can make claims about its effectiveness without having the actual data to prove its merit. Physicians and pharmacists utilize medications that have gone through large, placebo-controlled, blinded studies that provide scientific proof that a medication is both safe and effective.  Applying this model to raspberry ketones, we have no proof (i.e. large placebo-controlled, blinded human studies) that tells us whether or not this supplement actually results in weight loss. The prescription for weight loss remains the same, a reasonable diet with fruits and vegetables and 30 to 45 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at least 5 days per week.  Until data becomes available, diet and exercise trumps raspberry ketones. If you have questions, call the Tria Help Desk at 1.888.799.8742. #supplements #herbalsupplements #dietpill #dietarysupplements #weightloss #RaspberryKetone #Pharmacy #TriaHealth #MedicationTherapyManagement

#medications #MedicationSafety #medication #prescription #TriaHealthPatientSuccessStory #TriaHealth #medicationmanagement #MedicationTherapyManagement #Antibiotic

Many prescription pain medications are combination products that contain varying amounts of Tylenol, or acetaminophen.  In the past, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not placed limits on the amount of Tylenol that is included in these combo products.  That is changing as the FDA is asking manufacturers of these medications to limit the amount of Tylenol per pill to 325mg. Excessive amounts of Tylenol can lead to serious liver damage.  If you are taking a prescription pain medication that contains Tylenol, it is important to avoid the use of over the counter products that contain acetaminophen (the same active ingredient as Tylenol).  Acetaminophen is available in a variety of over the counter remedies, including numerous cough and cold products. Look and Ask!  Look at the active ingredient listing on all over the counter products and ask your pharmacist if you have any questions. #Tylenol #painmedication #medicationquestions #overthecountermedication #Pharmacist #Liver #FDA #prescriptions #Pharmacy #FDAwarnings #TriaHealth #medicationmanagement #Acetaminophen

High blood pressure is one of the most prevalent health conditions seen in the United States.  Elevated blood pressure leads to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and death if undetected. High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because it often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people don’t realize they have it. That’s why it’s important to get your blood pressure checked regularly. New guidelines state: People < 60 years old have a blood pressure goal of < 140/90 mmHg People > 60 years old have a blood pressure goal of < 150/90 mmHg How to achieve and maintain healthy blood pressure: Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet can help keep your blood pressure down. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetable in addition to foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol.  Also limit amount of daily caffeine found in coffee, teas and soda. High sodium is a known culprit for increasing blood pressure.  Try to decrease the amount of sodium you add to you foods.  Be aware that many processed foods (including canned soups and frozen “healthy” meals) and restaurant meals are high in sodium. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can raise your blood pressure. Losing weight can help you lower your blood pressure. Be physically active. Physical activity can help lower blood pressure. The Surgeon General recommends adults engage in moderate-intensity exercise for 2 hours and 30 minutes every week. Stop smoking! Smoking increases your blood pressure while increasing your risk of heart disease, cancer and breathing complications If lifestyle changes are not enough to keep your blood pressure at goal, medications may need to be added.  Usually one medication is started and the dose is increased until you are able to reach and maintain a healthy blood pressure.  A second or even third medication may need to be added if blood pressure remains elevated after one month of treatment. If you have questions, call the Tria Help Desk at 1.888.799.8742. #TriaHelpDesk #NewYearsResolution #Hypertension #LowerBloodPressure #Pharmacy #TriaHealth #HighBloodPressure

Recent reports of whooping cough outbreaks in Wisconsin and Texas have highlighted the importance of proper vaccination schedules.  Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious illness in babies, especially in those who are too young to start their vaccination series.  The best way to protect babies against whooping cough is to ensure all persons in contact with baby have been recently vaccinated. Vaccination Guidelines by Demographic Pregnant Women: The Centers for Disease Control recommend that pregnant women receive a one-time dose of Tdap, the whooping cough vaccine, between the 27th and 36th week of EACH pregnancy. Children and Adults: For other children and adults, a one-time dose of Tdap is recommended for most people 11 years and older.  A repeat vaccination is only necessary for pregnant women. Newborns: The current recommendation is for a total of 5 doses of DTaP, one at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years. Keep you and your family safe by ensuring you all are whooping cough vaccinated. #MTM #WhoopingCough #Pharmacycare #TriaHealth #MedicationTherapyManagement #clinicalpharmacist #Vaccination

Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving! We are celebrating a day early at Tria Health. If you’re looking for a festive and healthy appetizer, check out the veggie turkey tray that our very talented clinical pharmacist, Marla, brought in to share! #clinicalpharmacist #Thanksgiving #TriaHealth #Turkey

Monitoring blood sugar levels is an essential part of diabetes care. This provides the information needed to make adjustments to diet, exercise and medications. Waiting until symptoms of low or high blood sugar levels develop is a recipe for disaster. Many things can cause blood sugar levels to change, such as: diet, exercise, stress, illness, drugs, and simply the time of day. Foods high in carbohydrates, emotional stress, infections, other medications, and early morning hours can cause blood sugar levels to rise. On the other hand, exercising can cause blood sugar levels to decrease. Blood sugar levels can be measured easily at home or anywhere. Most blood sugar monitoring devices use a drop of blood obtained by pricking the tip of the finger with a small lancet. Most people find the pricking nearly painless. The machines are smaller than a deck of cards. It is a good idea to keep a record of your blood sugar levels and report them to your doctor or nurse for dose adjustments of your medicines if necessary. Many people can learn to adjust the insulin dose on their own as necessary. #Bloodsugarlevels #MTM #Diabetescare #Diabetesmanagement #Diabetes #TriaHealth #highbloodsugarlevels #bloodsugarmonitoring #MedicationTherapyManagement #bloodsugar #monitoringbloodsugar

October is National Pharmacy Month! As experts in medications, Pharmacists provide important guidance to patients and physicians to ensure that individuals have safe, effective and affordable medications. With increasingly complicated regiments and access to over the counter and herbal medications, the involvement of a pharmacist within a person’s health care team continues to grow more important. Tria Health believes that the pharmacists are an integral part of the health care process.  This month we celebrate the talented pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who support these efforts.  It is with this mission that we want to inspire our community to “Know Your Pharmacists, Know Your Medicine.” There are key pieces of information that everyone should know about the medications they are taking.  The first tip is to always have a complete and accurate list of medications including over the counter, vitamins and herbal supplements that you are taking on hand at all times.  This is incredibly important to have when you meet with any healthcare provider.  Connect with your Tria Pharmacist today to ensure that you have an accurate medication list. #MTM #medication #Pharmacists #Pharmacy #NationalPharmacyMonth #MedicationTherapyManagement

Flu Season is Here! The leaves are changing which means cooler weather, hay rides, pumpkin carving, and unfortunately, flu season.  Influenza virus, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness that infects the nose, throat and lungs.  Flu seasons range in their severity and time course, but receiving the vaccination in October or November protects us against peak flu season in December and January. Common signs and symptoms: Fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, and fatigue How it spreads: Influenza virus spreads via droplets when people cough or sneeze-Wash your hands! Period of contagiousness:  People infected with influenza can spread the disease for up to 5-7 days While some people only develop mild symptoms, influenza can lead to bacterial pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as heart failure, asthma, and diabetes. The single most important thing we can do is get vaccinated against the flu.  The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months of age receive a flu vaccine unless they have a history of severe allergic reaction to influenza vaccine, have a moderate to severe illness with fever, or have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.  If any of these conditions exist you should consult with your physician prior to vaccination. Enjoy the fall season flu free and get vaccinated! #flu #MTM #Fluseasons #Influenzavirus #fluvaccine #FluSeason #immunizations #TriaHealth #flushot #MedicationTherapyManagement