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11 years ago
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Depression: Medicines To Help You
Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It's more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life.
Symptoms can include
- Sadness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Change in weight
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Energy loss
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, people with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. How severe they are, how frequent, and how long they last will vary. It depends on the individual and his or her particular illness.
The free publication Depression - Medicines to Help You talks about the brands and generic names of various anti-depressants. Also learn the side effects, who should not take them, and warning signs regarding harmful drug and food interactions.
Information provided by USA.gov & MedlinePlus
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National Public Health Week April 2nd-8th
Help America become healthier beginning today.
Nearly a million people in the U.S. lose their lives every year from preventable health conditions. These losses affect every family and community. You can help prevent these deaths by learning steps to live a healthier life.
National Public Health Week is a great time to read and learn. Share helpful information on how to live a healthier life with others to help them learn.
USA.gov provides facts on many health preventative-related topics, including a few listed here:
1. The Facts About Preventing HP Virus
2. Differences Among Birth Control Methods
3. What to Do to Have Fewer Asthma Attacks
4. How to Recognize Depression in Yourself and Your Friends
Click on the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Women’s Health to read and share publications.
Our U.S. Government has made the following links available for you to contact for any additional information: FAQs, Phone, Chat, or E-mail.
The more we can inform ourselves, the better we will all feel. And who doesn't want to feel better ? Help yourself and help loved ones have a healthier lifestyle starting today.
Information provided by USA.gov on National Public Health Week. more -
Pasco County Prescription Savings Program Update
COUNTY PRESCRIPTION SAVINGS PROGRAM
Pasco County has re-launched the Points of Care prescription savings program, available to all County residents regardless of age, income, or pre-existing conditions. This program is designed to assist residents who do not have prescription drug coverage through their insurance or for savings on medications that are not covered through insurance.
Residents simply present their card at one of over 45,000 participating pharmacies nationwide, including CVS, Kmart, Publix, Sam’s Club, Sweetbay, Target, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, and Winn-Dixie to begin saving!
Points of Care is a no-cost savings program that will save residents up to 50% off their prescription medications, diabetes supplies, durable medical equipment and hearing aids.Average savings has been 31% off the pharmacy retail price.Residents can visit www.PascoRxCard.com to print a card and start saving today. Residents can also pick up the prescription savings cards at locations throughout the County, including Community Services Offices and Libraries.
Points of Care, administered by Universal Rx, provides services and benefits that improve health outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs. Founded in 1995, the are a leading national provider of managed care and discount prescription services.
To learn more on how to use this program:- contact Pasco County's Customer Service Center at (727) 847-2411
- visit the county's Point Of Care website for a list of card pick up locations & participating pharmacies.
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Safety First on Halloween
Just because Halloween celebrates all things scary, doesn't mean you want any safety scares of your own. Use these tips from USA.gov to make sure you and your family have a fun and safe holiday.
Pick Visible Costumes: Pick brightly colored costumes to make it easier for cars to see trick-or-treaters on dark roads. If the costume must be dark, apply reflective tape on the costume or candy bags to help them be more noticeable. Flashlights are also good to carry.
Use Face Paint instead of a Mask with your Children’s Costumes: Face paint may work better than a mask when it comes to visibility. If you decide to paint designs on your kids' faces, follow the directions on the face paint package closely. It's a good idea to test the face paint a few days before Halloween and be sure to avoid the eye area when applying.
Don’t snack while Trick-or-Treating: Inspect all treats before allowing your children to snack on them. Toss out any candy with opened or damaged wrappers and homemade treats.
Consider using a Glow Stick: Make sure costumes are flame resistant. In luminaries or jack-o-lanterns consider using a glow stick or battery-powered lights instead of candles.more -
HEALTH COVERAGE TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
offer free or low-cost health coverage to children and families.
- If you are eligible for health coverage from your employer, but are unable to afford the premiums, some States have premium assistance programs that can help pay for coverage. These States use funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs to help people who are eligible for employer-sponsored health coverage, but need assistance in paying their health premiums.
- If you or your dependents are already enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you live in a state offering assistance (Florida), you can contact the Children's Health Insurance Plan or your State Medicaid office to find out if premium assistance is available.
- If you or your dependents are NOT currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you think you or any of your dependents might be eligible for either of these programs, you can contact any of the groups listed here to find out how to apply. If you qualify, you can ask the State if it has a program that might help you pay the premiums for an employer-sponsored plan:
- Contact the State Medicaid Office
- Contact the Children's Health Insurance Plan
- Contact INSURE KIDS NOW by calling 1-877-Kids-Now (1-877-543-7669)
- Once it is determined that you or your dependents are eligible for premium assistance under Medicaid or CHIP, your employer’s health plan is required to permit you and your dependents to enroll in the plan – as long as you and your dependents are eligible, but not already enrolled in the employer’s plan. This is called a “special enrollment” and you must request coverage within 60 days of being determined eligible for premium assistance.
- As a Florida resident, you may be eligible for assistance paying your employer health plan premiums.
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Stay Safe during a Lightning Storm
"IF THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS"
Since thunder and lightning storms happen frequently during the summer months, FEMA offers these tips on how to avoid injury during a lightning storm:- Avoid contact with corded phones.
- Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. Unplug electronic equipment well before the storm arrives because power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.
- Avoid contact with plumbing and bathroom fixtures because they can conduct electricity: do not wash hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes or do laundry.
- Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
- Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.
- If you're caught outside during a storm, stay away from tall trees. Avoid open fields, beaches, and boats on the water. If possible, seek shelter in a thick growth of small trees or in a low lying area. Also avoid anything metal such as golf clubs/carts, tractors, bicycles, etc. Seek shelter in a car if possible, but avoid touching any of its metal parts.
Because lightning is unpredictable and can strike 10 miles outside of any rainfall the risk to individuals and property is increased. If you feel you hair standing on end (which indicates lightning is about to strike) squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands over your ears and your head between your knees. Make yourself the smallest target possible and minimize your contact it the ground. DO NOT lie flat on the ground.
Lightning strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately. The following are things you should check when you attempt to give aid to a victim of lightning:
- Breathing - if breathing has stopped, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
- Heartbeat - if the heart has stopped, administer CPR.
- Pulse - if the victim has a pulse and is breathing, look for other possible injuries. Check for burns where the lightning entered and left the body. Also be alert for nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing and eyesight.
Your chances of being struck by lightning are estimated to be 1 in 600,000,but could be reduced even further by following these safety precautions.
Information provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
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New Generic Drugs in 2011-2012
Generic drugs can save you money. What are considered generic drugs? According to the FDA:"A generic drug is identical--or bioequivalent--to a brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use. Although generic drugs are chemically identical to their branded counterparts, they are typically sold at substantial discounts from the branded price."
Below are two lists* for drugs which are soon to become "generic" for the years 2011 and 2012.2011Uroxatral------------------------- alfuzosin------------------------July
Brand Name----Generic Name----Availibility
Zyprexa---------------------------olanzapine----------------------October
Lipitor-----------------------------atorvastatin--------------------November
Caduet----------------------------amlodipine----------------------November
Tazorac----------------------------tazarotene cream---------------November2012
Lexapro---------------------------escitalopram--------------------February
Brand Name----Generic Name----Availibility
Entocort EC-----------------------budesonide----------------------February
Avandia---------------------------rosiglitazone--------------------March
Avandaryl-------------------------glimepiride---------------------March
Avandamet-----------------------metformin-----------------------March
Boniva----------------------------ibandronate---------------------March
Seroquel--------------------------quetiapine-----------------------March
Avapro----------------------------irbesartan----------------------March
Avalide---------------------------hydrochlorothiazide-------------March
Provigil---------------------------modafinil------------------------April
Plavix-----------------------------clopidogrel----------------------May
Viramune-------------------------nevirapine-----------------------May
Lescol-----------------------------fluvastatin----------------------June
Tricor-----------------------------fenofibrate----------------------July
Clarinex--------------------------desloratadine--------------------July
Singulair--------------------------montelukast---------------------August
Actos-----------------------------pioglitazone----------------------August
Exforge---------------------------amlodipine-valsartan------------September
Diovan----------------------------valsartan------------------------September
Diovan HCT----------------------hydrochlorothiazide--------------September
Geodon---------------------------ziprasidone----------------------September
Combivir-------------------------lamivudine-zidovudine-----------November
Atacand--------------------------candesartan---------------------December
Maxalt---------------------------rizatriptan-----------------------December
*these lists are provided by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a nonprofit Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association.Facts and Myths about Generic DrugsmoreFact: 7 in 10 prescriptions in the United States are filled by generic drugs.
Myth: Brand name drugs are safer than generic drugs. Fact: FDA receives very few reports of adverse events about specific generic drugs. Most reports of adverse events are related to side effects of the drug ingredient itself.
To learn more facts and myths concerning generic drugs, please visit the FDA site.
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