New York City Voices Column - Ask the Pharmacist

ASK THE PHARMACIST

Steve Kaufman

Steve Kaufman, RPH is the Supervising Pharmacist at Manhattan Plaza Pharmacy, 619 Ninth Avenue, at 44th Street. Mr. Kaufman and the pharmacists at Manhattan Plaza Pharmacy are in a unique position to discuss psychiatric medications as many of New York City's largest mental health agencies and community-based residential programs are in the neighborhood they serve.

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» It's Time to Fight Back

: Prescription Benefit Manager (PBM) companies force many people to use mail order for many of their...

» Last issue you wrote about St. Johns Wort. Would you discuss another popular herb called kava kava?

: Kava kava has long been used in the South Pacific ... It is reported to have a calming effect ......

» Medicare Part D

: Medicare Part D is for prescription drug coverage available to all people with Medicare. We are now...

» Meds and Sex

: In this month's article, I will discuss every man's favorite medication, Viagra. I will also answer...

» Now that it's summer, I am concerned that some medications I take may make me more sensitive to the sun. Is this true?

: When you fill a prescription, ask your doctor or pharmacist if the medication can cause a...

» Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

: Most people with OCD are aware of their obsession ...OCD thus differs from other psychotic...

» One of the hardest questions for me to answer is when a patient comes up to me and says: "My doctor said my child has attention deficit disorder (ADD). He wants to put my child on Ritalin. What do you think?

: My doctor said my child has attention deficit disorder (ADD). He wants to put my child on Ritalin....

» Our daughter suffers from schizophrenia. This illness has devastated her and us. None of the many medications she's been on seem to have helped at all. Her psychiatrist just put her on a drug called Seroquel. Can you tell us anything about this new drug?

: In the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, selecting the most appropriate, effective and...

» These Are 'Crazy' Times

: Then the election came along, and I wished Ken Steele could observe what was going on. I think he...

» What do I do when my medical benefits for prescription drugs have been terminated?

: There still are some options available if you have no coverage or your HMO refuses to pay for your...

» What Is Government So Afraid Of?

: The system has been abused for nearly two decades….It's time to give the healthcare system back to...

» Consúltele al Farmacéutico: la Parte D de Medicare

: La Parte D de Medicare es un plan para el cubrimiento de medicamentos recetados, disponible para...

» Could you explain all the managed care and different prescription programs for us?

: With Medicaid and other insurance companies trying to force everyone into managed care companies,...

» Dr. Kavorkian Where Are You?

: "…it is far more profitable for an insurance company to let a sick person die than to save their...

» Geodon

: Pfizer labs recently introduced a new medication to treat symptoms of schizophrenia, called Geodon.

» Healthcare’s Bad Design

: It is now time for a Healthcare Revolution.

» High Cost Of Prescription Drugs For Seniors

: In this month's article I want to talk about the high cost of prescription drugs and the problems...

» I am a schizophrenic and have AIDS. I take so many pills to manage both these illnesses. Am I alone?

: I am a schizophrenic and have AIDS. I take so many pills to manage both these illnesses. Am I alone?

» I have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Unlike other friends of mine with schizophrenia, manic-depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, attention deficit disorder, among other mental illnesses, my psychiatrist says there is no specific medication to help manage my illness. Is this true?

: I have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Unlike other friends of mine with...

» I prefer natural remedies. I've been told St. John's Wort can replace my antipsychotic and antidepressant medications. What's your opinion?

: The use of St. John's Wort has increased dramatically in both Europe and the U.S. More than 60...

» I Remember When

: It showed an elderly man, bald head and hair growing out of his ears. He was not dirty but quite...

» I was recently put on Zyprexa and Cogentin and I'm having difficulty focusing my eyes. One thing I fear most in my life is losing my vision. Tell me, can these medicines cause blindness?

: I was recently put on Zyprexa and Cogentin and I'm having difficulty focusing my eyes ... can these...

» Is it important what pharmacy I select to fill my prescriptions?

: Some 10% of all hospital admissions are related to inappropriate prescription or over-the-counter...