Pharmacy 101 - Calling For All Working Techs And Interns

[otcandrx]

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First and foremost. I would like to thanks SDN for letting me post! Okay....i am so excited because I know this will benefit all, well, where should I start? Well, my background, i am a very hard working person, but for this year, I will only be working just one job at retails so i will have so much free time....I thought of doing a study or research on SDN. So if you are a working tech and intern, this <blog> is made especially for you! So please feel free to post and share your thoughts and experiences (collaboratively). Also I am doing other topics and subject research as well as this one for my benefit (effect of caffeine, etc). But I think this one is the best one so far. It is a not for profit and a non-funded base study

OTC vs. Prescription​

Drugs​

A one year​

Self-study and Analysis​

Objective: An overview study of the most common over-the-counter versus prescription drugs, by techs and interns, through documenting, addressing, and recommending of licensed registered pharmacists.​

 

[sdn1977]

Sorry - I perhaps shouldn't be answering since I'm a pharmacist, but I'm confused.

What exactly are you studying?????

But.....then perhaps I just don't get it???🙄

 

[otcandrx]

Resource/tool needed:

Pen and notebook
Your intern notes

 

[otcandrx]

Share your experiences/thoughts:

An elderly brought in a bottle of Saw Palmetto 450 and ask if her husband can take it since he's taking only 320 mg, pharmacist say Ok, take one

A European lady ask if we had Zumenon? what's that---it's a hormone replacement therapy...we don't have it

 

[ethyl]

Ahh actually, this might be pretty nice for starting interns or techs. I'll have to start gathering info for a post. Mine might be weekly updates, we'll see.

Not much learned today except:

I was surprised to find out Chantix is covered by Medicaid.

Adderall costs $170 whereas generic costs $120.

Referred patient to the pharmacist after he described his bowel movements needing a jack hammer to move.

😳

 

[otcandrx]

Lady asked for a sore throat medication, want tylenol product for a 3 y/o but RPh suggest a lozenge to suck on

On which aisle is Pepto-bismuth located? nicotine patch?

Pravachol 40 mg is the brand for pravastatin 40 mg

Lady ask how to take Glucosamine 500mg and Chondroitin 400mg? 3T/day
also come in higher strength 750mg/600mg so 2T/day

A guy said he feels feverish and sneezing, RPh asked what kind of s/sx? then suggest he try Advil allergy sinus: 1 Q4-6 H (ID for pseud 30 mg)

 

[Farmercyst]

First and foremost. I would like to thanks SDN for letting me post! Okay....i am so excited because I know this will benefit all, well, where should I start? Well, my background, i am a very hard working person, but for this year, I will only be working just one job at retails so i will have so much free time....I thought of doing a study or research on SDN. So if you are a working tech and intern, this thread is made especially for you! So please feel free to post and share your thoughts and experiences (collaboratively). Also I am doing other topics and subject research as well as this one for my benefit (effect of caffeine, etc). But I think this one is the best one so far. It is a not for profit and a non-funded base study

OTC vs. Prescription​

Drugs​

A one year​

Self-study and Analysis​

Objective: An overview study of the most common over-the-counter versus prescription drugs, by techs and interns, through documenting, addressing, and recommending of a licensed registered pharmacists.​

So if I get this right, based on your notes so far:

You are posting questions brought to you by pt/customer.
Providing answer given to you by RPh if answered, or leaving as an open question if unanswered.
Not looking for answers to unanswered questions
Looking for input from other working tech/interns, using the same format you've been using.

Am I right on any/all/none of this?

 

[sdn1977]

Is there any order to these or are these just your random thoughts as you work?

Its called Pepto-Bismol - not Pepto bismuth - it has bismuth subsalicylate.

btw...there is a generic Wellbutrin XL - currently its for the 300mg only, but will be for both strengths - unless the lawsuit which is pending progresses.

Nicotine patches need ID in CA & are often stolen, so are not on shelves, altho there are some exceptions.

I wouldn't have agreed with your pharmacist's recommendation for a lozenge for a 3yo, but thats just me & my experience with my own kids.

I wouldn't recommend glucosamine & chrondroitin for anything, no matter the strength & frequency.

Fluvoxamine is used for lots of indications - OCB???(do you mean OCD) & depression are only two of the many.

My state's Medicaid covers FeSO4, but not Vit C.

Refills can also be initiated by a pharmacy call to the prescriber - not just by the pt....??? Sometimes, I'll even refill it without authorization (ntg) & wait for the auth if I decide its needed.

Zyrtec & Allegra is often prescribed at the same time. There are reasons for it - but, that doesn't mean the insurance company will pay for both or either or that the pt takes both at the same time - dont confuse those.

& I don't have a clue how your store is organized so your aisles mean nothing to me...

Did you ever find out what prochlorperazine is used for???

Is anyone else confused???😕

 

[sdn1977]

So if I get this right, based on your notes so far:

You are posting questions brought to you by pt/customer.
Providing answer given to you by RPh if answered, or leaving as an open question if unanswered.
Not looking for answers to unanswered questions
Looking for input from other working tech/interns, using the same format you've been using.

Am I right on any/all/none of this?

Oh - good! You're confused too!!!

 

[117296]

Oh - good! You're confused too!!!

I am confused also. What is the purpose of this other than document things which may vary from store to store, state to state.. How is this a study?

Maybe we're all missing something important here?

 

[yawj797]

what exactly was the point of this thread?

 

[sdn1977]

It seems to be not so much a study (& I say that in the kindest way possible) as it is a diary, perhaps.....????

Sometimes, diaries are really meant to be looked at by the writer only😳

 

[RX CARE]

Ahh actually, this might be pretty nice for starting interns or techs. I'll have to start gathering info for a post. Mine might be weekly updates, we'll see.

Not much learned today except:

I was surprised to find out Chantix is covered by Medicaid.

😳

Not only medicaid, but almost ALL insurance companies with low-tier clients. The high-tier clients usually pay around the ball park of 35 to 40 bucks.
It's also because of the different startup and ongoing pack issue.
It's a pain...I've always believed cold turkey is the way to go. **** is just too expensive....

And yesss I'm mad confused too...
To the OP......did you just start?? Because you just finding out the most common generics...like those to ambien,lopressor,compazine...etc....which means you are gonna be just finding out generics everyday.

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

I do not know how anyone on this site can answer where the specific otcs in the pharmacy you work at are located.....
Like the rest I am just confused....I understand you want to try and make a thread where all interns and techs can converse, but that is what the entire sdn pharmacy thread is for already, we all converse freely in various threads about new things we want to talk about or have questions about. Good intentions, though I do not see this research/survey working out...but if it does GREAT!

 

[otcandrx]

A patient brought in an empty bottle of NitroQuick, said he spilled it and want us to call for a new prescription from a different doctor who prescribed it


A young intern get a call for a refill from a patient who said she called her doctor and approved it, however, we were still waiting for authorized refill; she (intern) wasn't sure what to do, i say we have to wait


A newly-hired tech wasn't sure what a PA is, or was it the patient, it's stands for prior authorization

 

[Ghettocowboy23]

A man came in with Norco 10/325mg RX and asked, do you have the generic brand with yellow color?? I said "no, the generic we use is white" and he was about to walk away. My manager came and told him, "we got a new generic in, it is pretty good, it gives a good kick". The man stopped and turned around with a happy face, "really"???

My manager replied, "yeah, give it a try, it gives a very good kick. This generic brand company only makes Pain killing, they specialize in pain killing".

I stepped back and let my manager do the talk, I was laughing in the back of the pharmacy, that was hilarious.

 

[pharmboy30]

On which aisle is Pepto-bismuth located? nicotine patch?

Where do you find infant tylenol?

Isle 4???
I have no idea what you are talking about.
How is this a study?

 

[npage148]

I'm so lost. I'm not sure what is going on. It's like a mix of pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, store management and bad pharmacy practice

 

[ethyl]

I don't see what's so hard to understand? It's a self-study and analysis... a journal type of thread. Post your experiences for the day so you can reflect and others can read/"study" it and maybe learn from it.

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

I don't see what's so hard to understand? It's a self-study and analysis... a journal type of thread. Post your experiences for the day so you can reflect and others can read/"study" it and maybe learn from it.

Yes, I think we all understand that, but when the journal of what happened that day has good things surrounded by a bunch of worthless stuff it makes it difficult for people to see through the "mud".

I get asked where the bathrooms are all the time but I wouldn't post that because it is not beneficial to anyone not even the poster.

 

[RX CARE]

I don't see what's so hard to understand? It's a self-study and analysis... a journal type of thread. Post your experiences for the day so you can reflect and others can read/"study" it and maybe learn from it.

It's a little weird and confusing....I think the forum's purpose is based on placing an issue and let ppl discuss about it. Now if one makes a thread intended for techs and interns about everyday occurrences which all techs and interns already experience in one way or another, I don't see how that makes it a "study". I'm pretty sure that figuring out that metoprolol is the generic for lopressor or that pepto bismol is in aisle 368 is not a landmark in history.

 

[aboveliquidice]

I see that the world is full of those retail questions... but the Hospital IV techs are few and far between...

OK - I actually only have one.

Septra in D5W (5% Dextrose for you retailers...) for IV
For doses by volume in excess of 1:20 (septra😀5w) - You must give a shorter expiration of 12 hours (vice 48 hours NR @ 1:20 or more dilute)

~above~

 

[meowmeow]

interesting........

 

[Farmercyst]

Looks like this should be a blog, not a thread. At least a blog is meant to be random stuff that is noted throughout the day. Although to get more interaction it'd probably have to be like a wiki-blog. Editable by anyone blog of miscellaneous pharmacy stuff.

 

[otcandrx]

A hispanic male asked for something on his arm -- RPh suggests a sunscreen SPF 30/ ?

Father came to pick daugther's med for Augmentin susp, not sure if she is allergic to Penicillin (DUR)

Avelox and Coumadin -- drug interaction?

Male with s/sx of congestion and running nose, instead of Mucinex-D, RPh suggest Claritin

A woman at the drive-thru ask for her Rifampin 150 mg (for TB), it wasn't ready, RPh admit her fault

 

[otcandrx]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EewBOBqrwNI

 

[otcandrx]

A man at drive-thru ask for Miconazole-7 day, its vaginal antifungal cream

Ferrous fumurate 324 mg, not available

Several OTC prenatal vitamin: multiprenate w/ folic (nature made); prenatal complete (finest); and stuart prenatal

Lady said her clonazepam was stolen, by law, can't release early and insurance won't cover

A hispanic male ask about bisacodyl 5 mg laxative and phospha soda

 

[Ghettocowboy23]

This thread is boring
after working in the pharmacy for 4 years, I want to see some funny stories that I haven't encountered but running into something I see everyday. Farewell to this thread unless some1 with funny stories to tell, I dont want the daily thing

 

[RX CARE]

This thread is boring
after working in the pharmacy for 4 years, I want to see some funny stories that I haven't encountered but running into something I see everyday. Farewell to this thread unless some1 with funny stories to tell, I dont want the daily thing

I concur.......

Just like one lady came in with a script for "Oxycontins 5/325"....lol...and she was trying to act really smart that it was written by the doctor. She actually started causing a scene...not knowing that her ignorance unraveled her evil deed...

 

[CaliCPhT]

I'm a geek. I like to try to decipher bad handwriting, so those were fun.
The first was for Seroquel 100 mg. I wasn't certain on the sig, but thought it was tid? seems odd though.

Couldn't read the other one.

At first I was worried that it was going to be a HIPAA violation, but thankfully you cut any identifying information off!

Wasn't sure what this Rx read, doctor writing so bad...

[ see attachment below ]



.

 

[otcandrx]

Some hispanic lady brought in a paper for horsechest nut extracts, pulsatile and venacillin cream for painful varicose vein ?

Pt ask if Anefrin nasal spray is good for his 1 y/o, RPh suggest little nose for nasal decongest

Pt with glaucoma and arthritis asked for med that will not interact with Plavix; RPh recommend Tylenol; contain no aspirin

 

[ethyl]

A hispanic lady ask if we have xilocaine to numb her puppies' tail so she can cut them off? no, check medical supply store

Too bad nobody referred her to a vet. 🙁 I hate hearing about home done tail clippings.

 

[RX CARE]

Pt with glaucoma and arthritis asked for med that will not interact with Plavix; RPh recommend Tylenol; contain no aspirin

I thought plavix is almost always taken with 81mg ASA anyway........or maybe I was just taught wrong.......

If i'm not mistaken...aspirin does not interact with plavix.....it actually enhances its action....

 

[otcandrx]

Pt brought in a fentanyl 25 mg patch but we only had a box, RPh can't partial fill by law

What is the ingredient for Airborne? Is it the same for seasonal relief a lady ask? It was developed by a school teacher claimed that natural herbal blend can promote normal histamine levels and boost immune system

 

[otcandrx]

Drug Store News Pharmacy Practice magazine with PharmacyTech supplement arrived today &#8211; it includes a commentary article on the 20/20 video

Pt asked what is Norco 10, RPh said it's a stronger version and a combination of hydrocodone and tylenol for moderate to severe pain; Q 4-6h

Pt pick up med and ask what is phenazopyridine? Just read off leaflet, it's a urinary tract analgesic use to relief pain, etc


An asian lady with tattoo came to pick her med, tension right from the start <>, it wasn't ready because doctor did not call it in yet...She needs to chill pil and wait like others. Very demanding of her diabetes med, telling other customers to complaint and if we had a complaint form? She said she didn't get the attention she needed and demanded to speak to managers... She was fine until she left and had a nervous breakdown. Have medicaid insurance and previously on antidepressants.

 

[otcandrx]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT5GJL0tEto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxT8Gb4tp1I

 

[otcandrx]

A doctor called in Claritin for a 5 y/o and sig was 1 bid, but RPh refuses to fill the rx because it was too high. Doctor tell her that she have to do what he say because he is the doctor and an allergist working for 12 years. RPh said no and that he needs to update his information, so advise pt of OTC and 1 qd.

A lady ask if Plan B will intefere with menstrual cycle or induce menstruation, RPh said no

A lady pick up Doxycycline 100 mg for her acne, RPh counsels not to take with milk, antacids, and avoid sunlight, ask if she was on BC

Pick-up traffic: the problem is that there is always someone who come at this hour with a prescription problem or it's not ready because of insurance, so they create a delay for everyone else or want to complaint

 

[No1 Pusher]

A doctor called in Claritin for a 5 y/o and sig was 1 bid, but RPh refuses to fill the rx because it was too high. Doctor tell her that she have to do what he say because he is the doctor and an allergist working for 12 years. RPh said no and that he needs to update his information, so advise pt of OTC and 1 qd.

So.. whose advice did the patient follow? The Physician or the Pharmacist?

And what do SDN Pharmacists think about the Rph who refused to fill Claritin 1bid for a 5 y/o?

 

[No1 Pusher]

How did the Pharmacist react when the Physician says to follow his order because he is a doctor?

How would you guys react?

 

[pharmstud07]

I see that the world is full of those retail questions... but the Hospital IV techs are few and far between...

OK - I actually only have one.

Septra in D5W (5% Dextrose for you retailers...) for IV
For doses by volume in excess of 1:20 (septra😀5w) - You must give a shorter expiration of 12 hours (vice 48 hours NR @ 1:20 or more dilute)

~above~

Don't forget your do not refrigerate sticker and the amber bag... 😉