Drugstores can be scary at the best of times. With so many options and brands available, there are literally rows of choices for every type of cough syrup, allergy suppressant, and pain reliever available.
With so many choices, itâs easy to pick up the wrong medication. Even if youâre getting the right brand.
Thatâs what happened to a lady in Canada. After seeing her doctor for an allergic reaction, she was advised to take âBenadryl,â an over-the-counter allergy medication. Unfortunately, this lady accidentally picked up âBenadryl Total,â and suffered a stroke within two days.
After examination, there were only two risk factors believed to be a cause of the stroke: the womanâs age, and the ingredient pseudoephedrine found in the âBenadryl Totalâ that she was taking. This ingredient wasnât in the regular âBenadrylâ advised by her doctor and has been linked to strokes.
It can be difficult when youâre faced with so many choices to get the right over-the-counter product. But thereâs no reason not to consult the pharmacist on duty.
Make sure you shop at a store where you trust the pharmacist. Maybe that means finding a pharmacy and sticking to it. If you always go around the same time, you have a better chance of building a relationship with your pharmacist. You may find it easier to ask someone you know for help, and they will get to know you and your medical history.
You can also carry around an extra pair of reading glasses or a magnifying glass to help you read the fine print on the labels. The fine print is usually where the medicinal ingredients are listed.
And make sure your doctor writes his recommendations down clearly. You donât want to get confused when you canât remember what he said and canât read what he wrote.
When taking over-the-counter medication, youâre the only one who can make sure youâre taking the right one. Thereâs no reason not to do everything you can to make sure you stay safe.