Sponsored
Ask the Pharmacist: What you need to know to get through cold and flu season
Sponsored By
In the second edition of our Ask the Pharmacist series, we delve into the essentials every household should have as we navigate the cold and flu season.
Following the launch of the new Common Conditions Service, which allows pharmacists to prescribe for eight common ailments, we are more empowered than ever to manage our health at the community level.
This month, we sat down with Caoimhe McAuley, director of pharmacy and superintendent pharmacist at Boots, to discuss her top medication recommendations for winter, the one device every parent needs, and why “reading the label” is more than just a suggestion.
If you were to recommend a “top three” for your medicine cabinet, what would they be?
My number one would be paracetamol. It is a staple for a reason; it’s a pain medication commonly used for fevers, headaches, sore throats, and general muscle aches.
Second is ibuprofen. As an anti-inflammatory, it is brilliant for tackling that stubborn sinus pressure and the sharp sore throats we often encounter during the winter.
Finally, I’d recommend a decongestant nasal spray. Most of us suffer from a blocked nose and that heavy pressure around the eyes and head when a cold or flu hits, and these can offer targeted relief.
Aside from medication, what is the most important tool to have at home?
For me, one of the most important items is actually a reliable thermometer. Being able to take an accurate temperature and know exactly when you – or a family member – are running a high-grade fever is vital. Having that data informs you and enables you to have a much more productive conversation with your pharmacist.
It helps us provide expert advice on exactly which medication is appropriate for your specific situation.
Expiration dates on medicines – what’s fact or fiction, and how can we safely dispose of medication?
Look, we’ve all been in that situation where you’re digging through your medicine cabinet and manage to find a pack of paracetamol which has just expired and wonder whether or not to chance it. What I will say is that those expiry dates are all about quality assurance. After that date, the manufacturer cannot guarantee the medicine will work as well or even be safe to take. Some medicines, like liquids or eye drops, can become unsafe sooner than the date once they have been opened.
For example, many eye drops like Artelac should no longer be used 28 days after opening. It’s always important to read the label of what you’re using. For disposal, the safest thing to do is to bring it back to your local pharmacy rather than throwing them in your bin or flushing them down the toilet. By bringing them back, you’re preventing accidental poisoning and environmental contamination.
What is your advice for parents who are trying to manage a child’s illness at home?
Being a parent to a sick child is incredibly stressful, and I know the instinct is to get medication into them as quickly as possible to help them feel better. My biggest piece of advice here is: please use the appropriate measurement devices.
Use the syringes or spoons that come specifically with the medicine. Don’t reach for a spoon from your kitchen drawer; the volume of a household spoon can be quite different from a medicinal one. You want to avoid any risk of accidentally giving your child too much medicine.
We often see “multi-purpose” cold and flu relief on the shelves. Is there anything we should be particularly mindful of when using these?
We are very fortunate that there are so many options, from single medications to combination products, but you must be mindful of the ingredients. Many multi-purpose medications already contain paracetamol or ibuprofen. It is vital that you double-check so that you aren’t ‘doubling up’ and accidentally taking a double dose of the same active ingredient.
Another thing to watch for is decongestants and antihistamines. Some can make you drowsy, while others might actually make you feel more awake. Understanding what is in your medication helps you decide when to take it to get the best outcome.
Always speak to your pharmacist; we want to make sure you feel comfortable and fully informed about what you are taking.
We often hear about the ‘Vitamin D Winter’ in Ireland. Who actually needs a supplement, and is there a specific dosage we should be looking for on the shelf?
The HSE actually advises that everyone in Ireland should be taking a vitamin D supplement, so it’s a Vitamin D Winter for everyone. The sunshine we get in Ireland isn’t great at the best of times, and from October to March it’s not strong enough for your body to make vitamin D. The amount to take varies depending on your age; however, for a healthy adult 13 to 64, the advice is to take 15 mcg a day from Halloween to St. Patrick’s Day. However, if you’ve a darker skin tone, you’ve reduced sun exposure, or if you’re pregnant, then Vitamin D Winter is all year long.
There is so much noise online about ‘boosting’ your immune system with supplements. From a clinical perspective, what actually works to stay resilient against winter bugs?
There is a lot of chatter about boosting your immune system, and you have to be careful with what you see online. At the end of the day, supplements are exactly that, they supplement a healthy and varied diet. From an evidence and clinical perspective, there is no supplement that reliably “boosts” your immune system.
The best thing you can do is reduce risk and support optimal immune function. That immune support is done through achieving the fundamentals: sleep, nutrition, exercise and stress management. In terms of supplements, focus on whatever you could be deficient in. For example, as we already shared, many Irish people would be deficient in vitamin D, so taking a vitamin D supplement will support their immune function.
Shingles cases often cause concern during the winter months when our immune systems are taxed. How can the new Common Conditions Service help patients get faster treatment for this?
Getting faster treatment for shingles is exactly what the Common Conditions service is built to provide. Treating shingles is time sensitive – treatment has to be started within the first 72 hours of symptom outbreak. The Common Conditions service gives patients access to that treatment exactly when it matters the most. By letting patients be assessed promptly in the pharmacy setting, triaged for any red flags, and be provided with a prescription where appropriate, we are giving patients access to the right treatment at the right time.
To learn more about how your local pharmacist can help you this winter and beyond, visit your local Boots pharmacy or explore the new Common Conditions Service here.
Also Read
