What is the Meaning Behind the 'Es' in Esomeprazole vs. Omeprazole?

Jump to short pharmacy story

Imagine looking at your reflection in a mirror, holding up your hands. Your left and right hands look alike, but they aren't exactly the same—they're mirror images of each other. You can’t place one hand over the other and have them line up perfectly; they’re different in their orientation. In the world of chemistry and medicine, this idea of

Medications for Seasonal Allergies: A Comprehensive Guide for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians

Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, are a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. As pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, understanding the medications used to manage these allergies is essential to provide optimal patient care. This blog post will cover the mechanism of action, side effects, dosing, and commonly prescribed medications for seasonal allergies.

Understanding Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to allergens

A Restful Night: Finding the Right Medication for Insomnia

Samantha had been struggling with insomnia for months. Every night, she would lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to drift off. Her days were filled with exhaustion, and her performance at work was starting to suffer. Desperate for relief, she decided to visit her local pharmacy.

"Hi, I'm Samantha. I've been having terrible insomnia for months now, and I really need something to help me sleep," she explained to Michael, the pharmacist.

Michael

A Foot to Stand On: A Journey to Finding the Right Medication for Athlete's Foot

Jake had been battling a persistent itch between his toes for weeks. At first, he thought it was just dry skin, but the red, scaly patches and constant burning sensation told a different story. As a gym enthusiast, he knew the culprit: athlete's foot. Frustrated and desperate for relief, Jake decided to take matters into his own hands.

He started with an over-the-counter cream he found at the

A Journey to Heartburn Relief

     Emma had been struggling with heartburn for months. The burning sensation in her chest was relentless, especially after meals or when she tried to sleep. She was desperate for relief and had tried various over-the-counter medications, but nothing seemed to work for long.

One evening, after another painful bout of heartburn, Emma decided to visit her local pharmacy. She walked in, greeted by the familiar scent of antiseptics and the sight of neatly stacked shelves filled

What is a narcotic?

A narcotic is a pain-reducing chemical derived from opium (or synthetically produced) with the side effects of euphoria, stupor, and insensibility.

• Opiate – is a naturally occurring narcotic alkaloid found in the opium poppy plant, such as
  • Morphine
  • Codeine
• Opioid – any fully or semi-synthetic narcotic (does not come directly from the poppy plant) that has opiate-like activity (made to mimic the effects of an opiate), such as
  • Hydrocodone
  • Oxycodone

The terms opiate and opioid are often used interchangeably, although there is a distinct difference.  But under