Answerbag: Mark Venue's answers

Answer to Is it safe to take sleeping pills without a prescription?

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 19:39:05 -0800

Is it safe to take sleeping pills without a prescription?

It is safe to take over-the-counter sleep drugs, as long as one is not is not taking those drugs with other drugs, and everything else is in order. Whenever you're taking a drug, you should make sure it is appropriate for your state of health, and that it does not interfere with another...

Answer to I found a green oblong pill inscribed with WATSON. What is it?

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 19:36:41 -0800

I found a green oblong pill inscribed with WATSON. What is it?

All the name Watson tells us is that the drug was manufactured by Watson. It doesn't tell us which drug by Watson it is.

Answer to What are the dangers of inhaling Ritalin?

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 19:33:30 -0800

What are the dangers of inhaling Ritalin?

You should never inhale Ritalin. In all my time preparing prescriptions, I've never heard of a doctor telling his or her patient to inhale a drug.

Answer to Some prescriptions specify them not to be used in direct/indirect sunlight. What would happen if someone were exposed to sunlight while taking this drug?

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 19:30:47 -0800

Some prescriptions specify them not to be used in direct/indirect sunlight. What would happen if someone were exposed to sunlight while taking this drug?

Drugs should not be kept in sunlight because the sunlight will damage them. In order to reduce the effects of light on drugs, prescriptions will usually come in dark containers. That way, a patient can better protect his or her medications. This is probably the reason why you're told...

Answer to I found a blue pill with "watson 540" written on its side. What type of pill is this?

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 19:26:03 -0800

I found a blue pill with "watson 540" written on its side. What type of pill is this?

Whenever you find a drug you're not familiar with, contact poison control, or a local pharmacy. If a pharmacy does not have the technology to identify the drug, they'll probably refer you to one that does.

Answer to How can I know for sure if prescription drugs from another country are as safe and as effective as those available in the U.S.?

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 19:23:17 -0800

How can I know for sure if prescription drugs from another country are as safe and as effective as those available in the U.S.?

Generally speaking, you should not take anything that has not been approved by the FDA. There's a reason they have guidelines for drug manufacturers, and one should follow the directions of the FDA, because they do have tough standards. There's no way of knowing if another...

Answer to What are the chances of side effects from Sprintec if I'm 15 years old, 5'2, and thin?

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 21:52:21 -0700

What are the chances of side effects from Sprintec if I'm 15 years old, 5'2, and thin?

All side-effects should be written on something that came with your prescription. I know that CVS pharmacies do have literature that has this information, but I am not sure about other pharmacies. In any case, call your local pharmacy and a pharmacy technician or a pharmacist will be able...

Answer to Where can I find out when generic versions of drugs are scheduled to become available?

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 21:44:09 -0700

Where can I find out when generic versions of drugs are scheduled to become available?

The FDA maintains a list of drugs that are about to lose their patents, and ones that have already lost them. Check out the FDA website for this information. Generic drugs usually come out as soon as the patent on a brand-name drug has expired. Drug patents last for about 17 years. So,...

Answer to Where can I get cheap prescription drugs?

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 21:42:12 -0700

Where can I get cheap prescription drugs?

I work at a CVS pharmacy, and its quite clear that a competitor, Costco, is a lot less expensive, if you're paying out of pocket. Remember, if you have insurance, it does not matter which pharmacy you go to, because insurance companies have set co-pays.

Answer to I've been prescribed Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo but I'm out of town and need more. Can I just go to the pharmacy and ask for a refill, or do I need another prescription?

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 21:38:27 -0700

I've been prescribed Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo but I'm out of town and need more. Can I just go to the pharmacy and ask for a refill, or do I need another prescription?

Just to clarify that I am not making any of this up, I am a pharmacy technician and I deal with patients like yourself all the time. The answer to your question is that it is fine depending on several things. You can generally walk into any pharmacy and ask that pharmacy to transfer your...