What Medicine Should You Stop???

[Soniakhan]

It is a situation that I happen in community pharmacy, a lady came to get 3 medicines simvastatin,Dianette( for hirsutism) and flucloxacillin (for cellulitis), but she can only buy 2 products due to financial problems. What issues are in this? and what should be the choice for 2 items, I know flucloxacillin is must but from simvastatin and dianette what can she stop taking for some time?
Help please..
Thanks in advance :)

[anneasquith]

how long ?

[EDDIE51]

isnt dianette a contraceptive pill ? If so i thought it was free.

[EDDIE51]

sorry I see it is not a contraceptive, not having a good day 3 c*ck ups so far.

[alexanderd]

She should consult her doctor

[jno]

is the low income scheme any help?

[Sqad]

Dianette or Simvastin..............it doesn't matter........toss a coin.

[Blackiequine]

Think this is a homework-type query.

[Prudie]

Surely her doctor should decide which to drop. Furthermore if she can't afford 3 prescriptions then is't it likely she should receive some benefit and hence free prescriptions?

[Sqad]

O.K...I will take this question seriously after noting "what are the issues"

Clearly she must take the antibiotics for the infection.

Simvastin: if she has had a heart attack or a stroke, then she must continue the statin, but if this is not the case and there is no family history of heart disease or strokes, then the statin plays no useful part in her healthcare and can be discontinued.

Dianette: if this is being used as a contraceptive, then clearly, unless she wants to become pregnant, she mustn't discontinue the drug. Also if she has polycystic ovarian syndrome, the drug should be continued.

Your choice will depend upon the prevailing indication for the drugs.

[anneasquith]

dianette for hirsutism. sqad.

[Sqad]

anne.......hirsutism associated with polycystic ovary syndrome........I have already mentioned it.

[anneasquith]

no mention of pos.

[Blackiequine]

Anne - Dianette( for hirsutism)

[Soniakhan]

dianette for hirsutism. so can we stop taking it?

[Sqad]

Yes, providing that she is only taking it for contraceptive reasons and that she doesn't mind becoming pregnant OR uses other methods of contraception.

[Eve]

The hirsutism could be caused by PCOS? When I've had contraceptives on prescription (providing the poster in in England, I assume not Wales as think prescriptions are free there?), even though they haven't been for contraceptive use (PCOS) I can't remember having to pay for them though I've been on a pre-payment and implant for quite a while now.

[Mamyalynne]

As Jno mentioned, it may be worth checking out the Low Income Scheme - I also agree the Dianette should be cost free.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/nhs-low-income-scheme.aspx

[Prudie]

Although it makes for an interesting thread I think now the income part is irrelevant and it's a pharmaceutical query only.

[Mamyalynne]

I see, so the 'financial problems' were mentioned as a red herring - hmmm, still the advice may help someone else.

[ilovemarkb]

typical student question!!!