Sunday, 7 August 2022

Hair-loss causes & treatments in summary

Hair loss is a common symptoms nowadays and it isn’t just limited to the ageing populations. The younger generations are also facing these problems as well. There are a few factors which cause hair loss prevalence:

1. Family history (heredity). The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging.

2. Hormonal changes and medical conditions.

3. Medications and supplements.

4. Radiation therapy to the head.

5. A very stressful event.

6. Hairstyles and treatments.

 

Spironolactone for treatment of female pattern hair loss - Journal of the  American Academy of Dermatology

 

What is the best treatment for men's hair loss?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two medications to treat male pattern baldness:

1. Minoxidil (Regro) - Regro is available OTC as a liquid or foam.

2. Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) - Finasteride is a pill that you need to take1 tab once daily after food.

 

What is a good treatment for hair loss in women?

Minoxidil (Regro) 5% is the only topical medication approved by the FDA for female-pattern hair loss. The once daily use foam treatment regrows hair in 81% of the women who try it. Liquid options of 2% and 5% solutions are available over the counter.

 

Which vitamin and methods is good for stop hair fall?

1. Biotin (vitamin B7) is important for cells inside your body. Low levels of it can cause hair loss, skin rashes, and brittle nails.

2. Massage. Massaging the scalp, which can be used in conjunction with hair oils and masks, stimulates the scalp and may improve hair thickness .

3. Aloe vera. Aloe vera has long been used for treating hair loss.

4. Coconut oil

5. Fish oil

6. Ginseng

 

 

Sunday, 31 July 2022

Travel Bag Checklist for Malaysian Travellers

Pack for a Healthy Trip (For Malaysians)
Over-the-counter medicines (For local or overseas trip)
  • Diarrhea medicine (Imodium) 
  • Antacid (Gaviscon sachet)
  • Antihistamine (Cetirizine (non-drowsy) for day use & Piriton (Sleepy) for night use)
  • Motion sickness medicine (Novomin (drowsy) / Veloxin (sleepy))
  • Cough drops, cough suppressant, or expectorant (Fishermen Friend Loz / Difflam Cough Loz / Duro-tuss Exp)
  • Decongestant (Clarinase Tab)
  • Pain and fever medicine (Acetaminophen, Aspirin, or Ibuprofen)
  • Mild laxative (Dulcolax Tab)
  • Mild sedative or sleep aid (Piriton Tab)
Supplies to prevent illness or injury (For local or overseas trip)
  • Hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol) or antibacterial hand wipes 
  • Water purification tablets 
  • Insect repellent (with an active ingredient like DEET or picaridin) 
  • Sunscreen (with UVA and UVB protection, SPF 15 or higher) 
  • Sunglasses and hat 
  • Condoms 
  • Earplugs
First-aid kit (For both local & overseas trip)
  • 1% hydrocortisone cream 
  • Antibacterial or antifungal ointments (Antiseptic Cream) 
  • Digital thermometer 
  • Oral rehydration salts (ORS) 
  • Antiseptic wound cleaner (Yellow Lotion / Iodine Solution / Normal Saline) 
  • Aloe gel for sunburns 
  • Insect bite anti-itch gel or cream (Mopiko) 
  • Bandages / handiplasts for wound dressings 
  • Disposable gloves 
  • Cotton swabs 
  • Tweezers 
  • Eye drops (Eye Mo)
Prescription medicines (For both local and overseas trip)
  • Your prescriptions 
  • Travelers’ diarrhea antibiotic (Doxycyline) 
  • Medicines to prevent malaria (Doxyxyline)
Medical supplies (for patients with related illness) (For both local & overseas trip)
  • Glasses and contacts
  • Diabetes testing supplies
  • Insulin
  • Inhalers
Documents (For those who travel overseas)
  • Copies of your passport and travel documents 
  • Copies of all prescriptions (medications) 
  • Health insurance or medical card 
  • Contact card with the street addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of family member 
  • Lodging at your destination 
  • Hospitals or clinics (including emergency services) in your destination




My New Online Shop

After covid-19, economy has been very bad and my boss had sold all his pharmacy biz to a big chain pharmacy. I was down for few months and can feel the pinch too. During the post-covid and pre-GST transition period, everything become so expensive and it becomes a burden to our life especially those with family. After a few thoughts, i decided to open up my online biz where you guys can get everything easily online and at cheaper and more affordable price.
My Shopee shop link
My Shopee shop direct link
Hopefully this online platform can help you guys to get things that you need at affordable prices and most importantly very convenient at fingertips.

Sunday, 24 July 2022

Drugs safe in pregnancy & breastfeeding

 Breastfeeding while Pregnant: Is it Safe?

Since the past decade, i works as a community pharmacy in Malaysia, many walk-in customers coming asking for medicines safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. We have to be very careful in prescribing medicines to these group of patients as most of the medicines are under Category C, D & X where these drugs are not suitable in pregnancy use.

To make it simplify, we as a pharmacist got to refer to The MIMS Pregnancy Safety Index.

 

Definition of risks factors

As defined by US FDA, drugs in categories D, X and some cases C may pose some risks to foetus.

Category A: Controlled studies have not demonstrated a foetal risk. (in other words, VERY SAFE)

Category B: In animal-reproduction studies have not demonstrated a foetal risk but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women.

Category C: Studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on foetal.

Category D: There is positive evidence of human foetal risk

Category X: Studies in animals or human beings have demonstrated foetal abnormalities. (In other words, the drug is contraindicated in pregnant women).


Below are the summary of the drugs that are commonly prescribed by pharmacists.

Drug safe in Pregnancy

Drug safe in breastfeeding

Pain relief

Pain Relief

Paracetamol

Paracetamol

 

Ibuprofen

 

Naproxen

 

 

Antimicrobial

Antimicrobial

Amoxicillin (Ospamox)

Fluconazole (Diflucan / Fukole)

 

Miconazole cream (Zarin Cream)

 

Clotrimazole cream (Candazole Cream)

 

Amoxicillin (Ospamox)

 

Cephalexin

 

 

Antihistamine

Antihistamine

Loratadine (Ezede/ Clarirtyn/ Avorious)

Loratadine (Ezede/ Clarirtyn/ Avorious)

Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

Fexofenadine (Telfast/ Fexovid)

 

Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

 

 

 

Birth Control Pills

 

Progestin-only contraceptives (Noriday)

 

 

Gastric medications

Gastric Medications

Alginates (Gaviscon Liq)

Famotidine

Omeprazole (Promesec)

Cimetidine

 

Alginates (Gaviscon Liq)

 

 

 

Antidepressants

 

Paroxetine (Apo-Paroxetine / Seroxat CR)

 

Sertraline (Zoloft)

 

Fluvoxamine (Luvox)

 

 

Constipation

Constipation

Lactulose (Duphalac / Lactul)

Lactulose (Duphalac / Lactul)

 

 

Anti-diarrhoea

Anti-diarrhoea

Loperamide (Lomide)

Loperamide (Lomide)






References: MIMS

 



Disclamer: Please consult your healthcare professionals like doctors, pharmacists for more details.