Ask the Pharmacist Archive

All questions for "Ask the Pharmacist" are answered by:

Rich Wenzel, Pharm.D.
Diamond Headache Clinic Inpatient Unit
St. Joseph's Hospital, Chicago, IL

Click on the issue number for the full text of the Ask the Pharmacist column.

Issue #175 - Summer/April 2010
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #175.)

Issue #174 - May/June 2010
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #174.)

Issue #173 - March/April 2010
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #173.)

Issue #172 - January/February 2010
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #172.)

Issue #171 - November/December 2009 
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #171.)

 Issue #170 - September/October 2009 
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #170.)

Issue #169 - July/August 2009 
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #169.)

Issue #168 - May/June 2009 
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #168.)

Issue #167 - March/April 2009 
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #167.)

Issue #166 - January/February 2009
(Ask the Pharmacist was not Featured in Issue #166.)

Issue #165 - November/December 2008

• Multiple Medications for Migraine Attacks
• Difference Between Delayed-Release and Extended-Release Depakote 

Issue #164 - September/October 2008
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #164.)

Issue #163 - July/August 2008

• Over the Counter Medications for Menstrual Migraine 

Issue #162 - May/June 2008
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #162.)

Issue #161 - March/April 2008
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #161.)

Issue #160 - January/February 2008

• Triptan Medications Will Become More Affordable With Generic Versions

Issue #159 - November/December 2007

• Over the Counter Medications: How to Choose

Issue #158, September/October 2007

• Serotonin Syndrome

Issue #157, July/August 2007

• Afraid of Needles Used for Blood Samples
• Better Drug Options for the ER

Issue #156, May/June 2007

• Off-Label Prescribing: Why Drugs Ranging From Antidepressants to Anti-Seizure Medications are Used for Headache Management

Issue #155, March/April 2007
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #155.)

Issue #154, January/February 2007
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #154.)

Issue #153, November/December 2006
(Ask the Pharmacist was not featured in Issue #153.)

Issue #152, September/October 2006

• Pharmacist Balked at High-Dose Prescription for Cluster Headache
• Finding the Best Triptan for You

Issue #151, July/August 2006

• Safe Dosing of Fentanyl Patch is Critical
• List of Options for Quitting Smoking

Issue #150, May/June 2006

• Always Have a Backup Plan
• Avoiding Medications that Exacerbate Hypertension

Issue #149, March/April 2006

• How to Be an Informed User of Prescription Drugs

Issue #148, January/February 2006

• The Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Drugs

Issue #147, November/December 2005

• Does Taking Medications Mean I Can't Donate Blood?
• Countering Dry Mouth

Issue #146 - September/October 2005

• Topiramate May Create Risk of Contraceptive Failure 
• Migranal Now in Easier-to-Use Form
• Avoiding Drugs that Induce Drowsiness

Issue #145 - July/August 2005

• Combining Medications May Increase Risk of Side Effects 
• Headaches Can Be a Side Effect of Wellbutrin
• Knowing Maximum Dose Important to Avoid Rebound

Issue #144 - May/June 2005

• Limits on Sumatriptan for Cluster a Matter of Debate
• GelStat Promising, But Needs More Study

Issue #143 - March/April 2005

• Vioxx and Drug Safety Concerns
• Abrupt Discontinuation of Propranolol Problematic

Issue #142 - January/February 2005 

• When is a Medication a Failure?
• Daily Ibuprofen Use May Lead to Rebound Headache

Issue #141 - November/December 2004 

• Coenzyme Q10 for Prevention of Migraine
• The British Take Miguard, Americans Use Frova
• Concerned About Overusing Imitrex