BUSTING MEDICINE MYTHS...
Think you know a lot about medication? Think again. MICHELE O’CONNOR explores some of the common misunderstandings
THE FLU JAB MAKES YOU ILL
“THERE is no active virus in the flu jab, so it cannot give you flu,” says Jonathon.
However, you may feel feverish or have muscle ache for a few days after having your flu jab – taking a painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease this.
It is recommended that you do not get your flu jab if you are already displaying flu-like symptoms.
BRAND NAMES ARE BETTER
UK SHOPPERS spend a fortune on branded medicines that are identical to generic drugs. “All pharmaceutical drugs have to pass a quality test to go on sale in the UK,” explains Jonathon.
“That basically means that a branded hay fever tablet contains exactly the same drug and strength as the cheaper generic.”
You’re usually paying for the colour and style of packaging, though brands do come in a choice of formulations and sometimes the branded drug may contain additional ingredients, such as caffeine to help it dissolve faster.
PAINKILLERS CAN TARGET SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
“PAINKILLERS in tablet form cannot target specific body parts,” explains Jonathon.
An Australian court ruled that drug giant Reckitt Benckiser shouldn’t market Nurofen as specifically tackling back pain, period pain or migraines. Nurofen contains the active ingredient ibuprofen lysine.
Jonathan adds: “The only form of painkiller that can target a specific part of the body is a rub or patch that can be applied to an area of pain.
YOU DON’T NEED TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THE SUPPLEMENTS YOU TAKE
“SUPPLEMENTS can affect medications you are prescribed,” warns Jonathon.
“For example, St John’s wort is a supplement that can be taken for depression but it can cause interactions with other medications that reduce their ability to work properly.
“Always tell your GP or pharmacist if you are taking supplements so they can give you appropriate advice.”
YOU CAN TAKE YOUR MEDICATION WITH ANY DRINK
YOU should take the majority of medications with water only, unless you are told otherwise by your GP or pharmacist, says Jonathon.
Ingredients in other drinks, such as fruit juices, could interact with medication.
For example, it has been found that warfarin (an anti-coagulant) interacts badly with cranberry juice.
Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs), meanwhile, react with grapefruit juice.
“Dairy and carbonated drinks can affect how medication is broken
down and absorbed by the body, which in turn can make the medication less effective,” Jonathan adds.
NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY IS AS ADDICTIVE AS TOBACCO
ACCORDING to
NHS Choices, most people using nicotine replacement products don’t become dependent on them.
In fact, the biggest problem with NRT is that people don’t use enough of it for long enough.
“NRT does work and it can double a smoker’s chances of quitting,” says pharmacist Noel Wicks.
“The nicotine found in NRT is very different to cigarettes and is delivered more slowly, so they have a lot lower risk of addiction than cigarettes.”
STATINS ALONE WILL REDUCE MY HIGH CHOLESTEROL
STATINS are not magic pills – they’re drugs with side effects, says consultant cardiologist Aseem Malhotra.
The most important, and often overlooked, intervention in managing cholesterol is what you can do about it for yourself.
Dr Malhotra says: “Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, making dietary changes and taking more exercise can have a far bigger impact on heart disease risk.
“Yet, sadly, medication is often seen as a substitute for healthy living.