What is PrEP, should I take PrEP, is PrEP dangerous? What is PrEP PrEP is a medication that is taken daily to prevent HIV. The acronym PrEP comes from Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. This means that people using this medication don’t have HIV and are using this medication to decrease their risk. The brand name of the […]
What is an INR test? INR stands for International Normalized Ratio. It’s a blood test that measures the time it takes for your blood to clot. Who needs the test done? This test is required if you are taking warfarin (or Coumadin) which helps your health care team monitor the effect of the drug. It […]
The opioid crisis is a huge issue, and something we hear a lot about in the news. In Waterloo Region there have been 617 overdose related calls in 2019 alone. Opioid addiction also does not just affect the homeless or those on the streets. These are some of the questions that we get asked about […]
You may have read about pharmacies and other companies who offer pharmacogenetic testing to determine which medications will work best for you. So what does this mean and does it really work? The first step is to understand what happens when we take medications. What happens when we take medications? While some medicines are in […]
Medications can sometimes cause negative experiences for some people. But how do you know if these reactions are an allergy or an intolerance to a medication? Knowing the difference is very important for a few reasons. First it helps your health care professional manage the reaction appropriately. Secondly, if it is a true drug allergy, […]
Drug Coverage in Ontario With the recent announcement from the conservative government that they will be changing the coverage for children and young adults under the age of 25 we thought it was a good time to do a blog on drug costs in Ontario. First of all lets review the different drug plans which […]
E-cigarettes (or electronic cigarettes) are battery operated devices that heat a liquid into a vapour for inhaling or also known as “vaping”. The liquid used in e-cigarettes is sometimes called “e-juice” or “e-liquid” and is a mixture of chemicals that include propylene glycol, glycerol (vegetable glycerin) and combined with other ingredients such as flavouring agents. […]
Do you ever wonder about the storage labels that are on your prescription or medication bottles? Below we go through some of the more common storage conditions for medications. KEEP IN THE REFRIGERATOR Many medications have to be stored under certain conditions to ensure that you get the correct dose when you use them. Storing […]
There are a variety of reasons why we might have trouble sleeping. It might be a recent issue such as a trip where you travelled across different time zones. Or it might be related to a work project or personal issue that’s causing you stress. In these scenarios, poor sleep is temporary and may resolve […]
Mental illness is more common than you think – 1 in 5 Canadians in any given year will personally experience a mental health problem. Unfortunately, almost half of those who feel they have symptoms of depression or anxiety do not seek medical help due to the stigma associated with mental illness and the surrounding myths […]