Of the different substances that are prone to abuse, perhaps the most insidious is the prescription drug. From cough syrup to painkillers, these are medicines prescribed legally to treat various illnesses. Despite the good intentions, some of these substances can be addictive especially when taken in ways that ignore doctors’ orders. Some people take prescription drugs in extremely high dosages, sometimes snorting or injecting them to give a greater high. If left unchecked, prescription drug abuse can lead to permanent disability and death, as well as emotional turmoil for the family.

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The 2015 Oklahoma pharmacist convention is an annual event attended by licensed pharmacists, physicians and other professionals from the health industry. These individuals gather to learn new things about their chosen field. Most of the attendees come from other states. As such, the city is expected to be fully booked for the said annual convention.

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The first convention that I attended was the one held in 2015. I can still remember how awkward everything for me was during that time. The truth is that I was still new to the world of pharmacy. It was then that I just received my license to practice the profession. Since I wanted to become more exposed in the field and improve my skills, I made sure to book a flight to Oklahoma.

Fortunately, things turned out to be perfectly fine, not only for me but also for the people surrounding me. First of all, I met individuals who share the same passion and interest as I do. Our conversations were meaningful and inspiring. I am glad to say that I met my best friend during the said convention. Up to this moment, we are still meeting up for some coffee get-togethers or dinner dates.

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At the same time, the 2015 Oklahoma pharmacist convention also made me feel more confident in what I do. Their keynote speakers were also knowledgeable about pharmacy as well as the medical field. As such, all of them were able to answer the concerns and questions of the attendees. Most importantly, they inspired me to continue with what I have started. One of the speakers also spoke to me and gave me a compliment about something that I did while I was still in school.

I have to say that the said event was quite memorable for me. It was so exciting to hang out with like-minded individuals and to learn new topics.

Depression is characterized by intense and prolonged feelings of sadness, low energy, or loss of interest in activities that once seemed enjoyable. However, in spite of it being a prevalent mental health issue across the globe, people suffering from depression are usually misunderstood. It is challenging to tell whether someone has depression or not, primarily because depression is all too easy to hide sometimes.

But, people need to understand it is not a simple issue of low mood; instead, it is an illness – a real mental health problem that alters a person’s brain chemistry and psychological makeup. Precisely because it is an illness, depression has a cure– mainly through medication. Here are a few things you need to remember about prescription treatment for depression:

Learn About The Different Antidepressants

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The most common types of antidepressants are those related to improving serotonin levels, also called the happy hormone, which includes Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs). There are also TriCyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) cause increases in brain chemicals in charge of uplifting a person’s mood. There are also other antidepressants such as Bupropion, Mirtazapine, and Trazodone.

Prepare For The Side Effects

Both SSRIs and SNRIs have tendencies to cause upset stomach, dizziness, and headaches. Patients can also experience fatigue and insomnia. Also, TCAs have effects on both blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Other medications, and even the SSRIs and SNRIs can even lower sexual drive. Some would also cause weight gain, constipation, and even blurred vision.

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Be Cautious About Taking Medication

There are multiple factors you need to pay attention to when deciding to push through with an antidepressant because these medicines react differently to various individuals under changing conditions. For instance, people with bipolar disorder have higher chances of developing hypomanic symptoms when taking antidepressants. Meanwhile, MAOIs can produce serious health risks when combined with foods that react negatively to it such as aged cheese and aged meats.

Continuously Coordinate With Your Doctor

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Avoid self-medication at all cost. Coordinate with your physician about the proper medication that you will have to take. Watch your health and keep track of your symptoms to be able to see the extent to which your current medication has helped you. You can also talk it over with your doctor if ever you will need to do drug-genetic testing to determine the right solutions for your needs.

Take Medication At The Appropriate Times

Antidepressive medication is generally prescribed for around six months to one year for those who are getting the treatment for the first time. These antidepressants are recommended to be taken regularly for at least one to two months. Only then would the patient realize its full benefits. Be sure not to miss taking these medicines especially during your first two months.

Always keep in mind that the journey towards recovery from depression is not the same for everyone. Some may do it at a slower pace than others, or they may use other forms of antidepressants than the rest, but none of this means that you cannot fight depression. You can, and you will overcome it with proper guidance through prescription medication.

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In some ways, it is very difficult to publicly criticize the corporations that sell drugs. They are literally saving lives, so how dare you question how they go about it? These are the people who are busily working every day to find cures and treatments both for age-old illnesses like cancer, as well as the emerging diseases that frequently cause a minor panic when they crop up.

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Nowadays, people’s buying habits are continuously changing thanks to the never-ending innovation of technology that is making the buying experience seamless and effortless almost to a fault. With the internet and online marketplace, anybody can virtually buy anything they want in the comforts of their abode. Like any option and decisions we make, it has its pros and cons.  Buying online might be a breeze in relation to physically going to the store, finding through tons of shelves, falling in line at the counters, driving back home, etc., but purchasing from a online store can be a venue of illegal and deceitful selling practices.

Source: cnet.com

The same goes for online pharmacies. It undeniable how convenient, it is to get over the counter and maintenance medicines and have it delivered to your door especially for the elderly and individuals who have disabilities or mobility issues. Moreover, health insurance plans are heavily promoting home delivery of maintenance medications and usage of online pharmacy services.  Since the cost of the prescription is steadily rising, consumers are also looking for cheaper alternatives in online pharmacies.

Dangers of purchasing from a fake online pharmacy

Purchasing a prescription medicine from bogus online pharmacies is extremely dangerous or worst even fatal. Counterfeit medications are a fake rip off from the approved drugs and are considered ineffective and unsafe. They may be less effective or may have unusual adverse effects.  Aside from the health dangers, buying from fraudulent online pharmacies puts your personal and financial information at risk. These sham companies may intentionally misuse your information through selling your details to other internet scams and illegal sites.

Source: safemedicines.org

Warning signs of a fake online pharmacy

The telltale signs of a phony online pharmacy are the following:

• Unlicensed by a state board of pharmacy in the United States
• No physical office or its location is outside of the United States
• Include information that the medicine is sourced from a foreign country
• Ships prescription drugs globally
• Send spam or marketing emails offering cheaper than usual medications
• Offers discounts that are too good to be true

Tips to identify the legitimate online pharmacy

• Legitimate online pharmacies would
• Require a valid prescription
• Provide a physical address in the United States
• Have a state-licensed pharmacist to assist an
• d answer your queries
• Be licensed by the state board of pharmacy
• Provide contact information
• Have the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s (NABP) Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites ™ Seal

Buying medications online from an overseas source

Since the FDA only has jurisdiction over prescription medication in the United States; thus, it cannot guarantee the authenticity of drugs bought abroad. Prescription drugs in other countries may have a minimal variation or different ingredients used.

Source: cancercurepharmacy.com

Studies done by the FDA show that numerous counterfeit drugs are circulating in the market. Most often, it is hard to identify the copycat from the genuine ones. The practice of counterfeiting applies to both generic and brand name medications. For instance, FDA was able to obtain a counterfeit version of a weight loss drug, Xenical bought by three consumers from two different websites. Upon laboratory testing, it was found out that it contained a wrong active ingredient, sibutramine. Sibutramine is categorized as a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration. If these drugs were distributed for public use, certain complications like heart attack and stroke can happen to those who are taking the obesity drug.

This is why, people should be diligent in knowing the source of their medicines. Don’t be enticed on the special freebies and discounts that you can obtain while you purchase them online. If there’s a lot of enticement, it is too to good to be true. For more information about the nature of your medications, and how working with a licensed professional can help improve your situation (and if you’re working about that, you might want to consider therapy online). This isn’t an endorsement for that type of treatment, but it’s getting increasingly popular and lots of people are trying it.

Source: everydayhealth.com

Purchasing medications through a formal prescription from the doctor or health practitioner have become increasingly popular in America and other countries around the world. When you go to an appointment, your doctor will most likely write a prescription for your disturbing cough, your ear pain complaint or perhaps your unhealed wound. We can actually buy medicines over the counter for simple ailments, but for such serious illnesses as diabetes and cardiac diseases, prescription medicines have become very beneficial for patients needing palliative or preventive treatments.

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