Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 21:55:25 -0400 From: "Information Consumer Watch" <icw@hllo.com> To: questions@freebsd.org Subject: Synergy Newsletter Message-ID: <c83159679ed6ad5e89d34358e41635cb@iem4.smtp.com>
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Your email client cannot read this email. To view it online, please go here: http://iem4.smtp.com/display.php?M=1628810&C=2d6f6bc0fb6a3091d77817fe4709986f&S=1123&L=78&N=800 Difference In Pill Color May Affect Patient’s Adherence Generic medications are biologically identical to their brand-name counterparts, however, their physical traits, like shape or color, usually differ. Patients who take generic drugs that differ in color are 50 percent more likely to stop the intake of the drug, producing possible negative reactions, according to a new study by Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH). The findings were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The case-control study analyzed patients taking antiepileptic drugs and looked at the probability that patients who did not refill their prescriptions had been taking medication with a different shape or color from earlier prescriptions. Aaron S. Kesselheim MD, JD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics at BWH, and principal investigator of this study, explains: “Pill appearance has long been suspected to be linked to medication adherence, yet this is the first empirical analysis that we know of that directly links pills’ physical characteristics to patients’ adherence behavior. We found that changes in pill color significantly increase the odds that patients will stop taking their drugs as prescribed.” The investigators used a large national database of filled prescriptions. When they discovered a gap in a patient’s use of the drug, they reviewed the previous two prescriptions filled and checked to see if they were the same shape and color. They found that interruptions in the prescription filling happened more commonly when the pills had a different color. Of all patients, around 11,472 stopped getting their prescriptions; 27 percent of subjects with non-epilepsy drug prescriptions stopped their prescriptions, and 53 percent with epilepsy stopped their meds. Stopping use of an antiepileptic drug, even for a couple days, can increase the risk of seizure and impact social and medical consequences for patients. The conclusions suggest significant take-home information for pharmacists, physicians, and patients. Kesselheim says: “Patients should be aware that their pills may change color and shape, but that even differently-appearing generic drugs are approved by the FDA as being bioequivalent to their brand-name counterparts and are safe to take. Physicians should be aware that changes in pill appearance might explain their patients’ non-adherence. Finally, pharmacists should make a point to tell patients about the change in color and shape when they change generic suppliers.” Kelly Fitzgerald. “Difference In Pill Color May Affect Patient’s Adherence.” Medical News Today 03 Jan 2013 Topical pain creams combine multiple proven therapeutic ingredients. Topical creams are absorbed through the skin targeting the affected location. Topial Pain Shoulder Using oral pain killers and anti-inflammatory medications for a long period of time can cause serious health issues such as gastrointestinal problems. Applying topical pain creams can decrease a persons dependency on oral medication. Topical pain creams are applied directly onto the skin to treat the exact area of pain, which oral medications cannot do. The most common areas that topical pain creams are applied to are joints, neck, the lumbar region of the back, and the feet. Topical pain cream formulas are designed by the doctor specifically for their patients and compounded by our pharmacist. Read and follow directions carefully. If there is an insert, save it to refer to later. Never apply them to wounds or damaged skin. Do not use them along with a heating pad, because it could cause burns. Do not use under a tight bandage. Wash your hands well after using them. Avoid touching your eyes with the product on your hands. Are there any side effects associated with topical pain relievers? Side effects are uncommon. A rash may develop when the individual has surprisingly sensitive skin or an allergy to among the drugs inside the prescription. There is pretty small systemic intake with all the transdermal creams; consequently, the opportunity of negative effects is a lot lower than when the individual was taking the same drugs inside an oral shape. Unlike Oral NSAIDS, the transdermal cream never create any G. I. upset or problems. The added benefits of Topical Compounded Creams makes them a top choice for patients and for doctors. To stop receiving these emails:http://iem4.smtp.com/unsubscribe.php?M=1628810&C=2d6f6bc0fb6a3091d77817fe4709986f&L=78&N=1123
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