Medication Guides — April 2023 Archive
Here are clear, practical takeaways from our April 2023 posts. You’ll find quick steps for stopping metoclopramide safely, using bronchodilators during bronchospasm, handling common carbamazepine side effects, and how brimonidine helps with open-angle glaucoma. Read the short tips and follow up with your prescriber for personal advice.
Safe stopping and simple fixes
Stopping metoclopramide? Don’t quit cold turkey. Talk to your doctor first and follow a taper plan. A typical approach is to reduce the dose gradually over days to weeks depending on how long you’ve taken it—your clinician will pick the right pace. Watch for withdrawal signs like agitation, insomnia, or worsening nausea and report them right away. If metoclopramide was for nausea, ask about alternatives (other antiemetics, diet changes, or non-drug measures) while you taper.
Carbamazepine can cause drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, and sometimes skin rash or low sodium. Small, practical steps help: take it with food to cut nausea, stay hydrated to ease dizziness, and chew sugar-free gum for dry mouth. Don’t mix alcohol with carbamazepine and avoid driving until you know how it affects you. Your doctor will schedule blood tests (CBC, liver tests, sodium) early on—keep those appointments and call if you get a rash, fever, or unusual bleeding.
Using inhalers, nebulizers, and eye drops the right way
For bronchospasm, know your bronchodilators. Short-acting inhalers (rescue inhalers) relieve sudden symptoms fast. Long-acting inhalers prevent episodes over time. Learn proper inhaler technique: shake if required, breathe out fully, put the mouthpiece in, press and inhale slowly, then hold your breath for a few seconds. A spacer helps if coordination is tough. If you use a nebulizer, follow cleaning steps the supplier gives to avoid infections. If breathing doesn’t improve after using a rescue inhaler, get emergency help.
Brimonidine tartrate lowers eye pressure by reducing fluid production and helping fluid drain from the eye. That protects your optic nerve. Follow these simple rules: remove contact lenses before drops, wait about five minutes between different eye medicines, and blot any extra with a clean tissue. Side effects can include dry mouth, tiredness, or eye redness—tell your eye doctor about these. Keep regular eye pressure checks so the treatment can be adjusted as needed.
Questions about interactions or side effects? Bring a full medication list to appointments, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Small changes—like taking meds with food, using a spacer, or scheduling lab tests—can make treatment safer and more comfortable. If anything feels off, call your healthcare provider rather than guessing.
Want a deeper read on any of these topics from April 2023? Browse the full posts on Reliable Canadian Pharmacy for step-by-step tips and examples tailored to each medication.
