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The Tria Health Pharmacists love their careers and the work that they do! They have a unique opportunity to counsel patients about their medical conditions, prescription medications, , over-the-counter medications and supplements, as well as their lifestyle, which all play an important role in managing health. This service is called Chronic Condition Management (CCM).
The CCM Difference that Tria Health offers is more comprehensive than medication management or disease management solutions. It is a patient-centered solution that values individual uniqueness and focuses on increasing engagement; improving health outcomes and delivering a return on investment!
Because medication plays an important role in chronic condition management, Pharmacists are key to improving health outcomes and, in many cases, saving patients money!
Tria Health also offers a patient help desk, so patients may ask pharmacists any medication-related questions.
To highlight our fabulous clinical team, we thought we’d take this public and share with you some frequently asked questions and the pharmacists’ answers!
Question: When is the best time to take my medicine?
Answer:
Some medications do have a specific time that is “best” to be most efficacious. For example, a cholesterol lowering medications, such as a “statins”, are best taken at bedtime due to much of the body’s cholesterol synthesis occurring in the evening. Therefore, taking statins at bedtime has the most cholesterol lowering effect. Another example, thyroid medications are best taken on an empty stomach separated from other medications and foods by 30-60 minutes to be best absorbed. Thyroid medications will bind or adhere to other foods and medications which would therefore decrease the absorption. As wonderful as efficacy is, the most important thing is to be as consistent as possible when taking your medications. Consistently taking your medications means taking them the same time each day, with or without food. Our lives can be hectic, between work, kids, volunteering, THE HOLIDAYS, etc. and sometimes remembering to take your medication AT ALL each day, let alone with the most “efficacious” measures, can be a challenge. Medication doses will be adjusted based on your regular and most updated lab work. So, the bottom line is, consistency is key!
Question: What can I take for my cough? It is keeping me up all night.
Answer:
If cough is productive increase humidity in the bedroom and try to increase fluids. Delsym or Robitussin 12-hr Cough are both great options at night to suppress cough. They contain dextromethorphan only so you are not getting a bunch of other ingredients that aren’t needed. Try NOT to suppress a productive cough during the day. Mucinex during the day can help thin mucus and allow for easier clearing of congestion.
Question: My supplements are all-natural, so they should be totally safe, right?
Answer:
Not all supplements are safe for all people even though they might be “all-natural”. Certain supplements or vitamins can increase risk of bleeding or cause interactions with other medications and lead to serious side effects. It is always a good idea to check with a pharmacist or doctor before starting any vitamins or supplements to ensure they are safe.
Tria Health offers solutions to improve cost and care for patients, employers & their broker partners.
Do you have a question for a pharmacist? Comment below and they will happily answer!