Dear Pharmacist,
I had a staph infection and was in the hospital. Upon release, I was prescribed an antibiotic and then another. My pharmacist warned me not to stop taking the drug, but it made me terribly sick, so I quit taking it. Tell me honestly, what happens when antibiotics are stopped early and please [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
I splurged during the holidays and now I want to drop 10 pounds fast. Any tips?
GP Gainesville, Florida
Answer:  First of all, don’t feel guilty. Remember how much fun you had circling the buffet table and juggling that 5 pound platter of chow with the vat of eggnog. This is not the time to [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
Why do the people in the Mediterranean area have no problems with cholesterol? Is it the red wine and olive oil?
J.S., Ocala, Florida

Answer: People from the Greek island of Crete live longer than most other populations in the world, despite the fact that their diet is significantly higher in fat than what [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
My pharmacist told me that my antidepressant, Wellbutrin, is the same medicine that my husband takes to stop smoking. Is this true?
M.M., Jacksonville, Florida
Answer:  Yes. It’s a surprise to most people when they hear this. But there are a many drugs that are cleverly marketed to different populations and sold under different trade [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
I take Zoloft for depression. It doesn‘t seem to work as well anymore. I also have a chronic illness, which I’d rather not disclose. Can Zoloft lose it’s effect like this?
M.B., Sanibel, Florida
Answer:  Yes. Sometimes we grow tolerant to a drug so it seems like the magic effect is gone. Or a drug [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
The last time I went to the pharmacy, I had to wait 25 minutes to get my prescription filled. Why in the world does it take so long to put a few pills in a bottle?
B.S., Apopka, Florida
If all you waited was 25 minutes, you’re lucky. Pharmacists’ works like crazy, always on their [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
I’ve been taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) on and off for years and now I hear that it is poisonous. Is this media poof or is it true?
W.J., Daytona, Florida

Answer: Poisonous? No, but the safety of this drug has been questioned before. In high doses, chronic use or in combination with other [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
My mom and I keep arguing about the best way to take my son’s temperature to check for fever.  What exactly does the temperature tell you about a person anyway, because mine changes practically every day?
C.T., Salina, Oklahoma

Answer: Your mom probably used a rectum thermometer to determine if you had a fever [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
I’m tired and confused about my condition, which I’ve been dealing with for 6 years. After consulting numerous doctors, and taking many different drugs, I feel like I’m on a merry-go-round and wish I could get some guidance without paying an arm and a leg. Where can I learn more?     S.R., [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
You mentioned in your column that B5 has been used to help people who grind their teeth. How much vitamin B5 should be taken? Thank you.
R.B., Lodi, California
Answer: Vitamin B5, also known as pantethine and pantothenic acid, turns into Coenzyme A in the body.  The nutrient is absolutely essential for proper adrenal function, [...]