COMMUNITY HEALTH CORNER With Chief Pharmacist, Danielle Nelson at Thrifty White Pharmacy inside Family Fare in West Fargo. What do you know about opioids?_ Should be worried about myself or loved-one using prescription opioid medications? Prescription opioids are medications that are used for pain management following surgery accidents, and occasionally chronic pain relief. Opioids are indicated for moderate to severe pain relief and may pose a risk of serious side effects, One of the most concerning drawbacks to opioid use is the risk of overdose. Thrifty White Pharmacy has implemented ONE Rx to help optimize patient safety during opioid utilization. ONE Rx is an educational tool to assist the pharmacist in enhanced medication counseling and prevention of adverse side effects that may be associated with opioid medications. This additional education through ONE Rx helps your pharmacist communicate techniques for optimal medication usage and ways to prevent accidental overdose. ONER These are examples of what your pharmacist may discuss with you during opioid medication use: 1. How to dispose of your opioid medication once your treatment is completed. 2. The possibility of filling only a portion of your pain medication and returning to refill 3. How to prevent accidental opioid overdose and ways to aid in preventing side effects 4. Educating you and your significant other about identifying symptoms relating to too much pain 5. Options for obtaining emergency medication (naloxone) to have at home for reversal of 6. If you do not feel comfortable using an opioid, the pharmacist can also communicate the remaining portion only if you need to continue therapy during treatment. medication use during treatment accidental opioid overdose with your physician about alternative pain medications that may be safer for you What individuals have a higher risk of accidental overdose to opioid medications? 1. Male gender 2. Older age 3. Using opioids while treating certain medical conditions i.e. asthma, depression, liver disease, sleep apnea, or COPD) 4. Using high prescribed doses of opioids 5. Using certain medications with opioids (ie. sleeping medication or muscle relaxers) It is estimated that up to 30% of individuals that use opioid medications are at risk for accidental overdose. Talk with you Thrifty White Pharmacist today! O Employee Owned THREE LOCATIONS IN R) FARGO AND WEST FARGO White PHARMACY TO SERVE YOUu! Inside Family Fare 1100 13th Ave. East West Fargo, ND (701) 281-5695 Store Hours: M-F: 9am-9pm Inside Bethany on 42nd 4255 30+Ave S. Fargo, ND (701) 478-8122 Store Hours: M-F: 9am-6pm Sat: 9am-4pm Sun: Noon 5pm Inside Cash Wise 1401 33 Street SW Fargo, ND (701) 235-5511 Store Hours: M-F: 9am-9pm Sat: 9am- 6pm Sun: Noon 5pm Sat: 9am 4pm Sun: 11am- 4pm BUY ONLNE il ineDuastore www.onlinedrugstore.com