Do you have questions about managing your or your partner's health and wellbeing? Ask PillTime’s pharmacist

I'll start us off...

There is some evidence that when to take blood pressure medications (such as Perindopril) - morning or night, might vary according to ones own body clock.

Please can you take a look at this question?
If I am to be taking drugs I don't really want to take then I want to take them at the optimum time for me.
Thank you.

A similar question about when to take statins. I’ve always taken them in the morning but a medic on TV this week said we should take them in the evening for maximum effect

I’d like to come off bisoprolol 1.25 as it’s pushed me into pre-diabetes over six weeks and I’ve put on weight. However, I’m worried about re-bound hypertension as I’ve previously had a stroke. I also take perindopril 8mg but now need to lower bp to below 130. How quickly should I reduce the beta blocker?

I’m due to have a major back operation because of worsening spinal stenosis. I currently manage the pain with regular paracetamol every day. I react badly to codeine based medication and don’t want to take morphine type painkillers post op. The consultant is arranging for me to speak to the anaesthetist but can you advise what painkiller I could take instead please.

I take my tablets at night or at 3am.
Are they doing any good? Who knows?

My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014. He had 37 days of radiotherapy and hormone injections. Thankfully the treatment worked and he is fine. He has a yearly blood test, which he requests. How long should he keep having this blood test for? Thank you.

I am diabetic (Type 2) and I have recently been prescribed Ozempic. My blood sugar control can be good but I have a problem with binge eating and I find it hard to get back on top on things. Ozempic has helped with the cravings for sweet stuff 6 days out of 7 which is great but I do worry about the side effects, especially the acid reflux which has increased. I take a large dose of Omeprazole daily. My question is, "Is there a better medicine to deal with binge eating with less side effects than Ozempic?"

How important is it to take medication as advised in a 2 hour fastening gap. Does it really make so much difference if you have them with food?

My statins say on the label.
To be taken at night.
So that’s what I do,

My statins say take at night but my husband's give no advice on when to take them.

I have had my and my husbands medication from pilltime for several years without a problem till the last 3 months. The medication has been coming unpouched in the original boxes. We use pilltime as opening several boxes of medication each day is difficult for arthritic fingers. This has been happening for 3 months also out of 9medications I received 3 this month so had to get in touch again (last month 3 medication pouched and the rest missing) similar problem the month before. Waiting on hold for an hour and 8 minutes to talk to someone is unacceptable. We used to be able to phone untill 6 pm but now you cut it back to 12 noon to talk to anyone. If my meds aren't correct and pouched next time I will be changing pharmacy's. Having to rely on others to sort out getting tablets out of boxes is not good. The reason I use pilltime is the pouched medication.

What is the solution to not being able to open the medication? I had to ask a workman who came to the house to open a tub of pills today. Actually they were for my husband but he couldn’t open them either.

This is a problem I have as well. Why are some pills so hard to get out the packet. Aspirin is always difficult whoever manufactures it. I sort out six medications for my husband every month and it is now taking over 20 minutes and causing stress. Don’t the manufacturers think about who is taking the medication.

I have run out of my statins. I went to the pharmacy to collect my prescription only to find the order did not go through, so I am having to wait four days plus the weekend. Will this have any adverse effects?

Cabbie21

I have run out of my statins. I went to the pharmacy to collect my prescription only to find the order did not go through, so I am having to wait four days plus the weekend. Will this have any adverse effects?

My cardiologist gave me a 2 month holiday from my statins so presumably a few days will be fine.

Mum takes various medications daily including for hypertension, she avoids grapefruit as it’s not recommended when on certain tablets but I have heard the marmalade should be avoided too.Is this true?

DH has been diagnosed with sarcopenia. It's got worse over the years. I read somewhere this could be due to statins. He's been on statins for years. Any advice please. Don't think it would be wise to stop them as years ago his cardiologist confirmed his arteries were "furred up".

Madmeg

My statins say take at night but my husband's give no advice on when to take them.

Cholesterol peaks at night. Switched my statin to night time.

I was prescribed statins as I had raised cholesterol……..after losing weight my cholesterol score has dropped significantly……..can I stop the statins as they really make my feet and legs tingle in the night.

Never again will I trust a pharmacist. I had a spot below my bottom lip, asked the pharmacist for something, he said it was an ingrowing hair. A week later I visited my GP for something different. She asked about the spot, took a photograph and sent it to the local hospital max fax department, a week later I was in hospital having a cancer removed from y bottom lip. Pharmacists are good at pharmacy but they are not trained doctors.

Should I use omega 3 fish oils and celandrine cream to alleviate arthritic knee and other joints? Or is it a waste of money? Is there any other medication I can use for the pain?

For once I’m not sure if I took my 20mg Atorvastatin tonight or not when I was watching television, even though I set an alarm. I’m leaving it now as I wouldn’t want to take a double dose. If I hadn’t taken it and miss one dose completely, will it do any harm?

My
son has very bad nail fungus,he has been prescribed lamisil ,but after 5 weeksm they are no better and very painful after using the lamisil
My question is can he find anything better?

Haha.'pilltime' is what my son calls out to me every day as he's set a reminder alarm for one of my tablets i'm on.😄