Question:
Should a fentanyl transdermal patch be prescribed to an
opioid naïve patient?
Answer:
No, fentanyl should only be used in patients who have tried other
opioids for their pain and have not found any relief.
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Question:
Why should a patient avoid heat when they are wearing a
fentanyl transdermal patch?
Answer:
Heat may cause an increased amount of drug to reach the blood.
This could then cause life-threatening breathing problems or even death.
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Question:
What paperwork is needed to safely and correctly fill a
prescription for clozapine?
Answer:
A prescription written for clozapine and bloodwork results showing
the patient’s white blood cell count (WBC) and absolute neutrophil count
(ANC) levels are required. The pharmacists at Martella’s Pharmacy must
receive the bloodwork levels within 7 days of the blood being drawn. The
WBC must be ≥ 3500 mm³ and the ANC must be ≥ 2000 mm³ in order for the prescription to be filled safely and correctly.
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Question:
Can a patient aged 65 receive the nasally administered flu vaccine?
Answer:
No, the nasally administered flu vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine. It is only approved in healthy patients aged 5 to 49 who are not pregnant. Also, patients who are immunocompromised should not receive this vaccine. The alternative is to receive the inactivated vaccine, which is administered intramuscularly.
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Question:
Should I as a healthcare worker, receive a flu shot?
Answer:
Yes, it is highly recommended that healthcare workers receive annual flu shots. This will decrease their chances of contracting the flu as well as spreading it to their patients
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Question:
Can patients be automatically switched from Pegasys® to Peg-Intron®?
Answer:
No. The physician must write new orders. Note: The dosing of these two medications is different as Peg-Intron® is dosed depending on the patient’s weight.
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Question:
Should patients stop taking their Avandia® immediately?
Answer:
No. Patients should discuss options with their physician first. The prescriber and patient can monitor for side effects. Patients could be switched to Actos® if necessary. The FDA is currently researching all
data before they make a conclusion on how to handle the findings of this
current study.
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Question:
Is Phenobarbital 64.8 mg the same as 60 mg?
Answer:
Yes, the reason for the different strengths is due to the different conversion tables that define the grain as either 64.8 mg or 60 mg. If 60 mg is ordered and 64.8 mg is sent, this is not an error, as they are considered the same
dose.
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