The major active components of cannabis are a family of compounds known as cannabinoids. There are over 60 different cannabinoids, though only a handful have been studied. Cannabinoids mimic natural neurotransmitters (the chemicals which allow the transmission of signals from one neuron to the next). CBD (cannabidiol) is the second most prominent cannabinoid in the [...]
The FDA has announced a nationwide shortage of The commercial version of Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate Injection (aka, 17P). The trade name is Makena. 17P injection has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of preterm birth in women who have a history of delivering less than 37 weeks. Special compounding pharmacies have been safely making this sterile [...]
Let's Talk Hypothyroidism Many people are walking around with low levels of thyroid hormone (referred to a hypothyroid). They're tired, cold, lack energy, have dry skin, and so on. But when they visit a doctor, the laboratory tests often reports there isn't a problem. They know they aren't fully healthy, but the test disagrees. Doctors [...]
There is no doubt that drugs are useful and help us overcome health issues. We'd be dying younger if we didn't have antibiotics. We'd be living in a society of pain and suffering if we didn't have pain relievers; ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, and, YES, the opioid drugs as well. Often, drugs are an either-or proposition. [...]
I once published a newsletter about the many uses of common hydrogen peroxide and people began telling me about the possible dangers from using this long-available product. The mere chance of a problem seems to have triggered some of my readers to issue dire warnings – even suggesting I retract the article, which I didn’t [...]
There isn't a month that goes by where some well-meaning grandparent, parent, uncle, or aunt doesn't ask me about pharmacy as a career for their loved one. What are the salaries like? Are there jobs? What are the best schools? How long does it take to become a licensed pharmacist? Recently, my quick-and-dirty reply goes [...]
In response to, "why do we get annual physicals?", Google reported 1.34 TRILLION results. When asking everyday people that question most reply, "because we should", then they pause - and you can almost hear the wheels turning - until their "life training" takes over and they relax knowing their answer was good. In a January [...]
The United States spends nearly 50% more on health care than any other nation -- 14.9% of its economic output in 2002 vs. 10.9% in Germany, 9.6% in Canada, 9.7% in France and 7.7% in the United Kingdom. U.S. health costs are on a trajectory to consume 18.4% of every dollar spent by 2013. Here are [...]
How often have we heard, “That’s not like Billy Bob - it must be the BOOZE talking”? It’s so common and expected. We all seem to understand that alcohol does things that can change a personality. Gentle people can become belligerent, and folks who are usually polite and spiritual can start “swearing like a trooper”. [...]
Federal regulators prohibit the preparation of any compounded item without a doctor's prescription. There are no prescription items in the formula listed below. However, it may only be compounded if ordered by a doctor licensed to write prescriptions. Question: Could you let me know how I could make the miracle mouthwash without a prescription. I would [...]
WHAT IS IT? Generally, humans can detect five basic flavors; sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami (savory, characteristic of broths and cooked meats). Bitter is the most sensitive of all tastes. Bitterness has an excitable quality that some people might describe as disagreeable or harsh. The very word “bitter” has become associated in our language [...]
THE FLU (influenza virus in all it's mutation) has always been here and it will never go away. It is known by various names, yet it remains a common infection – sometimes of the sinuses, the stomach, the joints, and even combinations. This is not to downplay the discomfort or the possibility for disastrous outcomes, [...]
Dear Doctor; Many men are interested in using Triple Mix (sometimes referred to as TriMix) injections as a treatment for Erectile Dysfunction (ED). They are searching for pharmacies close to home that prepare these injections. Some of them are already your patients and some will be new to you. To make the transition and prescribing [...]
A couple of weeks ago, a middle-aged man came into our pharmacy. He was the epitome of the phrase, "sick as a dog." He was pale. His skin was moist. He walked gingerly as if walking hurt. He was coughing. He was a mess. "What do you have for a cold?" he asked me. "Hot [...]
Who Are We? The cells in our bodies - the ones that we can call your own - number as many as ONE HUNDRED TRILLION. There are probably a like number of other cells; bacteria, viruses, fungi, and so on. While it might seem creepy that we are hosts to so many “bugs”, the little [...]
There is a mystique that surrounds laboratory testing. The vast majority of us believe the values we get for any single test sample (blood, urine, saliva, whatever) represent our health status. On the one hand, this is truthful, especially when it comes to the most essential minerals in our body; sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, acidity, [...]
OF COURSE! Q: Hello - my 20-year-old daughter was diagnosed with genetic high cholesterol. Her total level was 250 with an LDL of 170. She is a healthy weight and very active. We have a family history of heart disease as both her grandfathers passed away from heart attacks one at 58 years old and [...]
Q: I had gastric ulcers a couple of years ago due to real bad heartburn. The specialist placed me on 40 mg of omeprazole each day and that has taken care of my symptoms. I would like to wean myself off of this medicine since it really doesn't cure my problem and I know liver [...]
QUESTION: "I see that the FDA in it's nanny state has shut down the natural progesterone cream (and all compounds without a script that you made). I understand you are recommending the NOW brand. There appears to be a lot of brands out there. Is this the only one that passes your inspection? What about one [...]
I was once hit in the face by a volleyball. The hitter was a tall, powerful person who knew how to spike the ball – and I was in the way. My contact lens popped out, and I had a massive red eye and a shiner as well. I went to my ophthalmologist the next [...]
