FLU SHOTS . . . it is that time of year again - and here is a list of the dates and times for Flu Clinics to be held at the Thrifty Pharmacy locations:

October 1	Saturday	11:00am to 2:00pm
October 5	Wednesday	11:00am to 2:00pm
October 8	Saturday	11:00am to 2:00pm
October 12	Wednesday	11:00am to 2:00pm
October 15	Saturday	11:00am to 2:00pm
October 19	Wednesday	11:00am to 2:00pm
October 22	Saturday	11:00am to 2:00pm
October 26	Wednesday	11:00am to 2:00pm
November 5	Saturday	11:00am to 2:00pm

SENIOR DAY at the State Fair of Oklahoma - September 21, 2005.

Thrifty Pharmacy is pleased to be a part of the events honoring Oklahoma's Senior Population.

All Seniors aged 55 and over will be admitted free through anyoutside gate. Free Tram service will begin at 8:00a.m.

Registration for Seniors begins at 8:00 a.m. in the CARRIAGE HALL (located at the corner of Stagecoach Street & Kiamichi Place under the Clock Tower)

Some of the Activities you won't want to miss are:

• Door Prize Drawings - Jazzercise wake up workouts
• Golden Age Contest - Scavenger Stroll
• Senior Royalty Contest - Antique Tractor Parade
• Senior Spelling Bee - Senoir Swing Dance

For details, you can visit www.oklahomastatefair.com.

Stop by and visit with Thrifty Pharmacy Staff as you visit this year's Oklahoma State Fair.

"ICE" . . . a simple way to help emercency personel track down your family with your cell phone, if you are in an accident or become seriously ill.

All you need to do is program the letters ICE (In Case of Emergency) into your cell phone directly before the name of the appropriate person to call.

This idea was developed by a British paramedic and was very helpful during the London Bombings. It is now starting to catch on with the Police Departments in the U.S.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance . . . a nationwide program that aids people in obtaining assistance for prescription medications. In the past, patients had to search each medication's website to see if there was help available. This program brings all the assistance programs together.

Patients visit the web site and select the medications they take - then answer 11 questions to determine what they can qualify for in the way of assistance with the cost of their prescription.

The web site is:

www.pparxok.org

or toll free number

1-888-477-2669

Head lice . . . this time of year, just as school starts, we see an increase in cases of lice. To prevent an outbreak, children should not share hats or combs.

If your child becomes infested, parents need to follow a few guidelines to treat the child without harm:

- Use lice treatments as indicated, never use household chemicals or insecticides

- Head lice are found on the scalp behind the ears and near the neckline

- Again, never share combs, hats, barrettes, towels, helmets, etc.

- Comb infested hair when it is wet to adequately remove nits.

Any questions, just call the pharmacy.

 

 

Dangers of mushrooms in your yard. With all the recent rains we have an abundance of wild mushrooms. All mushrooms in the yard must be considered poisonous. Children between 1 and 5 years old are at the highest risk for poisoning.

The very least mushroom poisoning can cause is nausea, vomiting & diarrhea. Some can cause liver or kidney damage or even death!

The poison control center has already received many calls on mushrooms this year. They say to gather the parts of the mushroom that are left & place it is a paper bag & call your doctor or poison control center immediately.

Poison control's # is 800-222-1222.

simplythick . . . thickens liquids for people with swallowing problems such as people who have had strokes or premature babies, both whome are at risk for choking.

It is flavorless, is not gritty and is not a powder, but a gel form that mixes with any liquid. It can be used in hot or cold liquids, milk, soup, alcoholic drinks, etc.

Most thickening agents continue to thicken - but simplythick does not, so you can keep beverages longer.

They come in individual packets that are convenient.

Thrifty Pharmacy is the only retail outlet in Oklahoma City and in Edmond for simplythick.

Over the counter aids to stop smoking.

With the passing of Peter Jennings, many people have once again given serious thought to quitting smoking. The addiction to tobacco has often been compared to the addictin to heroin and other hard narcotics when it comes to quitting.

We have available, Committ Lozenges, which allows the smoker to use them based upon their smoking pattern and how many cigarettes per day are smoked.

The "stop-smoking" patches provide a graduated decrease in nicotine as the smoker gets farther away from that last cigarette.

Many over-the-counter smoking cessation programs also have support in the form of cassette tapes or CD's and 800 numbers for people to call for help.

Remember . . . . . "never quit quitting."

A website designed to provide people with info on the dangers of importing medicines from Canada, Europe and Mexico. It gives tips for indentifying counterfeit drugs, on safety of the drugs from other countries.

The site also gives info on safe and legal alternatives to importation, including federal and state assistance programs that help with the cost or provide medications for free.

The website is: buysafedrugs.info

Smiley toothbrush covers . . . the device has a hinged cover made of anti-bacterial plastic that snaps down over the head of a toothbrush. The cover also hs 3 vents positioned to resemble a smiling face, that provide ventilation so the bristles can dry.

It also has a suction cup on the back allowing to be attached to smooth surfaces. This will make a big difference in overall health, by protecting the brush from harmful germs.

They cost $3.49 for a package of 2 . . . availabilty around August 1st.

Mosquitos and the danger they pose to humans, dogs and cats.

By migratory birds, mosquitos with the virus transmit it to humans by biting the person. West Nile causes flu-like symptoms which can lead to encephalitis.

When an infected mosquito bites your dog or cat it can develop heart worms. So we need to use mosquito repellant, make sure we don't have standing water around, etc.

For our dogs and cats there is a monthly medication supplied by your veterinarian that will prevent heartworms.

Seniors who are experiencing trouble sleeping. They can now turn to the National Institutes of Health Senior Health web site for info on insomnia:

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/sleepandaging/toc.html

It features tips for a good night's sleep - such as exercising and maintaining a regular schedule before bed.

Remember, inadequate sleep can lead to depression, daytime sleepiness, falls and memory problems. Sleep patterns do change as we age, but disturbed sleep and waking up tired are not part of normal aging.

Healthstrips . . . wafer thin soluble strips - like the Listerine Strips, but these are multi-vitamins.

They are made for adults and kids. The strips for kids are in cute packages with Barbie or Hot Wheels on them.

You dissolve one strip on the tongue daily instead of swallowing a large tablet. They come in a variety of flavors.

These could also be beneficial for adults that have trouble swallowing due to age or a stroke, etc.

A month's supply costs $5.89 and they can be bought over the counter.

Dextromethorphan abuse . . . dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant found in over 140 OTC drugs, like RobitussinDM and CoricidinHBP.

This discussion is in light of the teenagers that were recently in the news that overdosed. They buy large quantities of medicines containing this chemical . . . then they hallucinate, have slurred speach, are confused, have blurred vision. This can lead to death!

I want this to be a wake up call to all parents, as this drug can be obtained easily and is safe and effective in normal doses.

Check medicine cabinets at home for cough and cold medicines - make sure they are not missing. Also, watch for bazarre behavior.

Listeners can call for more extensive list of symptoms.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in migraine prevention. There are some very promising studies showing that B2 may help in decreasing the frequency and severity of attacks.

First of all, you need to see a specialist for your migraines.

If other therapies have failed, Riboflavin may be answer. It is a water soluble vitamin, the recommended dosage is 400 mg a day.

This is not yet FDA approved, but is being tested. So migraine sufferers might want to discuss this with their doctor.

SunSignals UV Sensors . . . they accurately detect the danger zone of exposure to the harmful effect of UV radiation before sunburn occurs!

They are small self-adhesive water resistant patches that change color as they react to UV radiation. The sensors gradually change from yellow to deep orange alerting you when sun exposure has reached a concerning level.

The SunSignal can be applied to the skin, a hat or clothing. They come in 2 designs - a round shape or novelty shapes for kids. Each pack has 18 sensors and is $4.99.

StriVectin SD. . . contains elasticizers, skin hydrators and firming agents. Reduces fine lines and wrinkles as well as firming and smoothing skin and reducing discolorations.

We have had this in the pharmacy for one and a half years with women singing it's praises.

A new StriVectin SD Eye Cream is available for $59 and the original StriVectin SD is $135.

For a Summer Special:

• BOTH the new StriVectin SD Eye Cream and the original StriVectin SD together are $145
  to keep ladies skin beautiful starting this summer

The StriVectin SD last a long time - my tube has lasted over a year . . . works on men, too. Any questions - just call Thrifty Pharmacy: 751-2852 or 715-4405

Zim's Spa Gloves . . . blue gloves that are peeled from a sheet of paper and left on 5 to 20 minutes. They are lined with a naturally based hazelnut oil formula. Your natural body heat activates the moisturizers to hydrate your hands.

There is no clean-up after - so you can use them anywhere. But do not use if you have open wounds or develop an irritation.

They can be bought over the counter for $5.99 - the box contains 3 pairs.

Good fats vs. bad fats . . . the type of fat you choose can make a big difference for the health of your heart. Dietary fat needs to come from two sources:

1. Monounsaturated fat (canola, olive and peanut oils)
2. Polyunsaturated fat (corn and soybean oils and seeds and nuts)

For a healthy heart, keep your fat intake between 20 and 35% of your total calories. This will help cut down on heart disease and help with weight control.

Over the counter products for acid reflux. There are several very effective products that used to be prescription, Zantac, Pepcid and Prilosec. They are less expensive than when they were available only by prescription. They are to be used only for about 14 days, unless under recommendation of your doctor.

Acid reflux can be a minor problem, but also can be a sign of many more serious medical conditions.

Seal-on Blotters . . . film strips that contain a hemostatic substance derived from cotton that stops bleeding from minor wounds, scrapes and razor nicks quickly.

Much better and more sanitary than the old styptic pencils. When the strip comes in contact with blood it forms a soft, transparent gel-like layer over the area to stop bleeding. The strip can be peeled off and discarded as soon as the bleeding stops.

Seal-on Blotters come 10 to a pack and cost $3.39. They will be available in about a month. Just in time for summer.

Patients buying medications in other countries - thinking brand name is the same in other countries as it is in the U.S.A. - NOT TRUE!

Brand names are used for different drugs in different countries.

Examples:

• Dilacor XR (brand in U.S.A.) is Digoxin in Serbia
• Vivelle (brand in U.S.A.) is a hormone patch and is an oral contraceptive in Austria

Mix-ups are now more of a danger as people travel more and drugs cross borders more often. Patients who travel outside of the U.S.A. need to make sure they have ample supply so as not to have to buy medications in another country.

Also, carry a list of their drugs with brand and generic listed - so they know they are getting the same chemical when they buy a brand name they know.

The correlation between outside temperature and heart attack risk.

Research is showing that if you have hypertension, you take note of the outside temperature. It has been found in recent studies that the risk of heart attack in people with high blood pressure jump about 60% when the thermometer registers 39 degrees F or less. The risk doubles when temperature drops below 25 degrees F.

These risks apply only to people with hypertension . . . the suspected reason is cold weather constricts blood vessels, impeding blood flow and raising blood pressure.

This is something to take note of - but studies are on-going - stay tuned for further results!

A website that provides seniors with the information about the safe use of medicines, including how medicines act in the body, how to take medication safely, and research on new medicine.

Studies have shown that people 65 years and older take more prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs than any other age group.

Seniors also tend to have the least information on these drugs. The website is:

http://www.nihseniorhealth.gov

Mederma for Kids . . . the first and only scar product formulated just for kids.

It is a purple gel that massages in clear. It has a kid-friendly scent to encourage children to participate in their scar treatment.

Mederma for Kids reduces the appearance of old and new scars. It is effective on scars from cuts and scrapes, burns, stitches, bug bites and surgery.

A tube is about $15.00 and it should be available around the end of the month.

Allergy-free gardens . . . Spring is so great in Oklahoma, but it also means the beginning of significant allergies. Dr. Wanen Filley, board certified allergist at the Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic, says you can do several things to make allergy season easier on you.

If your current medications are not working, make an appointment to see your allergist, they can adjust your medications. Use medications preventatively before you go out in the yard to minimize allergens.

Dani Lynch hs a list of trouble free shrubs, like Boxwood & Yucca, flowers that include bulbs of all types & poppies, trees and ground covers.

Call Dr. Lynch for the list to make allergies less this year.

A new product - Metamucil Plus Calcium capsules . . . each serving, which is 5 capsules, contains 3g of psyllium fiber plus 300 mg of calcium.

You have to drink 8 ounces of water or other fluid along with the capsules.

A month's supply costs about $20 and can be bought over the counter.

Flu is here! ER rooms in the metro area are full with confirmed flu cases.

If you are exposed to someone that has a confirmed case of the flu, call your doctor and see if they will prescribe Tamiflu, an anti-viral to help prevent you from getting the flu. They can prescribe a prophylatic dose and will greatly reduce the risk that you will get the flu. But - the flu needs to be confirmed!

Remember to wash your hands and don't touch hands to your face.

Sport bottles that people refill with water and carry around. You see people exercising, walking, biking, etc., and everyone has bottled water.

The trend is to save the bottles and refill for days. Do not do this! This practice is very dangerous! These refilled water bottles are a tremendous source of staph. This can cause all kinds of infections!

So drink the water and throw the bottle away! It is not worth the risk of staph infection.

February is National Heart Month - a reminder that cardiovascular disease is still American's number one killer.

There are many risk factors for heart disease. Some can be controlled - some cannot.

Uncontrollable risks
- being 65 or older
- male
- heredity

Controllable risks
- smoking
- high cholesterol
- high blood pressure
- inactivity
- overweight
- diabetes

So - let's control the things we can!

The return of the glass thermometer. For the last several years we have not been able to get glass thermometers - because mercury was considered a hazardous material. So the only kind of thermometers you could get were plastic digital.

Now, you can ger mercury-free-glass thermometers that contain a non-hazardous, non-toxic, biodegradable liquid.

They are also made from lead-free glass. Cost is about $6.00.

A new on-line resource that is now available to provide support & self-education on peri-menopause and menopause matters.

It allows women to create their own customized guide to educate them in their personal transition through menopause.

The guide has a comprehensive list of symptoms related to peri-menopause. Tells why symptoms occur and risk factors involved with treatment options. The guide also includes advice on how to talk to your health care provider.

The web site is: www.HealtheWomen.com/

Glucose meters . . . they have all gone high-tech and are virtually fool-proof. You don't have to prick your finger tips anymore - you can get blood from your arm, thigh, etc. They are very easy to use and give quick results.

But - there is one thing that people frequently overlook - every time you open a new box of test strips - they have a different code number which must be changed in the meter. If not changed, you will get false results or error and think there is something wrong with the meter.

Your manual tells you how to change the code in your meter to match the code on the strips. If you still have problems - with manual in hand - ask your pharmacist for assistance!