Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. I am a resident of Austria, currently visiting Pakistan. I have been using tablet Zanidip 10 mg for heart problems. Can I find same drug in Pakistan, as I am currently out of stock?

Ans. Yes, the same drug is available but with different band name. Please ask for tablet Leradip 10 mg. You can find it at your nearby medical store.

Q2. My two year old child ate approximately 5 gm of Potassium permanganate crystals that I use for skin problems. What should I do? Is it toxic?

Ans. These crystals are toxic indeed. Give your child plenty of water or milk to drink; this will minimise the internal burns and irritation. Take him to a nearby clinic for further management. Ask a doctor there to give us a call regarding further management.

Q3. I have been prescribed Tablet Fosamax 70 mg a week for bone problems. As this is quite costly, can you suggest a cheaper brand of the same drug?

Ans. The same drug with a substantially lower price is available by the brand name of Drate 70 mg, which is cheapest of them all. Another brand option could be Vitalit 70 mg.

Q4. I have been prescribed tablet Recol 20 mg/day, Zestril 10 mg/day, Ascard 300 mg/day and Mepressor 50 mg thrice a day, after I had a heart attack last month. I regularly take 3 glasses full of grapefruit juice per day, as I believe it helps in weight reduction. I am experiencing severe muscular aches for the last few days. What is the possible reason for this?

Ans. The tablet Recol (Cholesterol lowering drug) has a major interaction with grapefruit juice, which decreases its breakdown by the liver. The drug concentration can increase many folds in the body leading to a condition called Rhabdomylosis. This is a muscle degenerative condition and is evident from the severe muscle pain. Stop taking grapefruit juice and consult your cardiologist immediately.

Q5. My child is asthmatic and was on Becotide inhaler for last two years. I've learnt that this drug is no longer manufactured; what should I do? My child definitely needs that inhaler.

Ans. The same drug is now available by the brand name of Bekson. Please switch to this brand; the dose and interval will be the same as that for Becotide.

Q6. I bought two vials of Hepatitis B vaccine from the pharmacy. I was supposed to refrigerate them, but forgot. They've been lying around at room temperature for almost 10 hours. Is it still akay or should I discard the vaccine?

Ans. The vaccine is stable for seven days at room temperature (around 30-35 ⁰C). You can use this vaccine safely.

Q7. My two year old daughter has been prescribed Zinc Sulfate 10 mg/day; I am not able to find this drug at any medical store in my area. Where can I get it?

Ans. This is not commercially available. You can order a compounded syrup form our pharmacy. The strength is 5 mg/ml.

Q8. Which antipyretic is safe in a patient with liver impairment?

Ans. Ibuprofen can be given safely.

Q9. What is the recommended dose of Nitrofurantoin in renal impairment?

Ans. It should not be used during renal impairment.

Q10. Which antiviral agent is safe to treat chickenpox in a pregnant patient?

Ans. Acyclovir can be used; its FDA pregnancy category is “B”.