Limeridge Medical Pharmacy
849 Upper Wentworth st L9A5H4 Hamilton, ON, Canada

Did you know that grapefruit can interact with certain medications and cause potentially dangerous side effects? Grapefruit contains furanocoumarins which block an enzyme that normally breaks down certain drugs in the body. If that enzyme is blocked consistently, drug levels can rise and become toxic. Common medications that interact with grapefruit include atorvastatin, simvastatin, verapamil, nifedipine and carbamazepine. Ask your pharmacist if you should be avoiding grapefruit.

Rates of prescription drug abuse are rising among young people. Opioid pain relievers, antidepressants and stimulants are commonly abused. Try to keep your prescription drugs in a safe place and return any leftover or damaged medications to your pharmacy to be destroyed properly.

Do you take a cholesterol lowering drug like Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Rosuvastatin (Crestor) or Simvastatin (Zocor)? They are intended to decrease your risk of having heart problems or a heart attack. It is important to take them regularly, even if you are feeling at your best. You will not likely feel any different if you have high cholesterol or low cholesterol. When taken correctly, these medications can reduce your risk of heart troubles by 25%.

Did you know that if you take three or more medication regularly, you are eligible for a free individual medication review with one of our pharmacists? We will go over all your medications with you and answer any questions you may have. We will also prepare a detailed list of your medications with our comments that you can keep for your records. Call us now to book an appointment (905)-574-5333.

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. Pharmacists can prescribe medications that will reduce the withdrawal symptoms. Our pharmacists are also willing to meet with you regularly during the 12 week smoking cessation program and walk with you through the struggles of quitting. Often it takes up to three attempts to successfully quit smoking. Even if you are able remain smoke-free for a month, the benefits are astounding!

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. Pharmacists can prescribe medications that will reduce the withdrawal symptoms. Our pharmacists are also willing to meet with you regularly during the 12 week smoking cessation program and walk with you through the struggles of quitting. Often it takes up to three attempts to successfully quit smoking. Even if you are able remain smoke-free for a month, the benefits are astounding!

The prevalence of peanut allergies has been increasing dramatically. A 2015 study discovered that avoiding peanuts in childhood actually results in a high risk of developing a peanut allergy. 17.2% of infants who avoided peanuts developed a peanut allergy by age 5, while only 3.6% of infants who ate peanuts regularly developed a peanut allergy. Check out the summary video below: https://www.facebook.com/TheNewEnglandJournalofMedicine/videos/10152873486583462/?pnref=story

According to Statistics Canada, 17.9% of Canadians aged 12 years and over reported to be "heavy drinkers." A heavy drinker in the survey was defined to be someone who has 5 or more drinks on one occasion at least once per month. Aside from the obvious health concerns, it is very important to be aware of how alcohol can interact with your medications. Ask your pharmacist about safe alcohol consumption if you take any regular medications. Opioid pain relievers, antidepressants and anticoagulants are just some of the types of drugs that can be significantly affected by alcohol.

The new term "sitting disease" refers to the condition where people just spend too much time sitting. Desk workers are commonly afflicted and can suffer from back problems, muscle weakness and obesity. Try to take a 2 minute walk every hour when at your desk job. A recent study has concluded that it can reduce your risk of premature death by 33%. If you are having difficulty getting motivated, fear not - there are some creative tips to keep moving during the work day. Read further in the following article: http://blogs.webmd.com//stand-up-to-fight-sitting-disease.

New 2015 targets for blood pressure (CHEP 2015) have been announced for Canadian patients. Overall, your blood pressure should be below 140/90 mmHg. If you are diabetic or if you have chronic kidney disease, your blood pressure should be below 130/80 mmHg. If you are over 80 years old, your blood pressure should be below 150/90 mmHg. Confirm with your doctor if these are appropriate targets for you. Before testing your blood pressure at home, make sure to sit resting for ...5 minutes with your feet flat on the floor and with your arm placed on a surface at heart level. For best accuracy, test two or three times and take an average of the results. Avoid having coffee or being physically active prior to testing. Visit hypertension.ca for more details and an instructional video! http://hypertension.ca//w/how-to-measure-my-blood-pressure

Type 2 Diabetes is a condition that affects nearly a quarter of all seniors in North America. If not properly managed, it can cause kidney failure, nerve damage and other problems. Our pharmacists are certified as diabetic educators and we want to help you take control of your diabetes.

One of the special services that we offer is a pharmacist-managed INR clinic for patients who are taking warfarin. Visit us and talk to your doctor about joining our program and skipping the lines at the lab!

Could you imagine that when you shake your doctor's hand, you may be giving away information about your health? A study done by Darryl Leong and his team at McMaster University has concluded that grip strength may be directly related to cardiovascular life expectancy. Read the abstract here: http://www.thelancet.com//PIIS0140-6736(14)62000-6/abstract