Pharmacies, and pharmacists, are often the first source for information and advice used by a patient when health problems arise. This book supports pharmacists to recognize symptoms, advise with confidence, and recommend appropriate treatment or referral, while also providing a comprehensive digest of common conditions ideal for both practical use and reference.
Informed by the experiences and expertise of seasoned pharmacists and GPs, each chapter in the book provides pharmacists and their staff working in the community with a decision-making framework along with suggestions on “when to refer” contained within summary boxes. A unique feature of the book is that case studies are provided throughout, in which pharmacists, doctors, nurses and patients themselves describe assessment and treatment of a wide range of common problems.
This 9th edition of the book also includes: - Consideration of conducting pharmacy consultations remotely as well as in person in the pharmacy - New content on COVID-19 and Long-COVID in pharmacy practice - Information about medicines recently reclassified for OTC supply - Expanded content on women’s health including information on desogestrel, menopause and incontinence - Broadening of the insomnia chapter to include consideration of mental health problems - Increased content on non-drug treatment options and their supporting evidence - A summary of evidence sources at the end of each chapter - Decision-making support for unique cases which involve ethical dilemmas
Practicing and Foundation trainee pharmacists, as well as undergraduate pharmacy students and other healthcare professionals, will find Symptoms in the Pharmacy: A Guide to the Management of Common Illnesses invaluable when dealing with both common and obscure symptoms and illnesses.
Table of Contents
Preface ix
Introduction and How to Use This Book xi
About the Companion Website xxxix
Chapter 1 Respiratory Problems 1
Coughs and colds 1
Cough 20
Sore throat 35
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) 44
Respiratory symptoms for direct referral 54
Chapter 2 COVID-19 and Long- COVID 63
COVID-19 63
Long- COVID - continuing symptoms after COVID-19 infection 69
Chapter 3 Gastrointestinal Tract Problems 79
Mouth ulcers 79
Heartburn 88
Indigestion 99
Nausea and vomiting 109
Motion sickness and its prevention 113
Constipation 116
Diarrhoea 130
Irritable bowel syndrome 146
Haemorrhoids 158
Chapter 4 Skin Conditions 171
Eczema/dermatitis 171
Acne 184
Common fungal infections 192
Ringworm (tinea) 198
Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) 199
Intertrigo (candidal skin crease infections) 201
Cold sores 204
Sunburn 209
Warts and verrucae 211
Scabies 218
Dandruff 223
Psoriasis 227
Chapter 5 Painful Conditions 237
Musculoskeletal problems 237
Headache 261
Chapter 6 Women’s Health 283
Cystitis 283
Incontinence 293
Dysmenorrhoea 303
Premenstrual syndrome 311
Menorrhagia 314
Menopause 317
Vaginal thrush 328
Desogestrel oral contraception 338
Emergency hormonal contraception 345
Common symptoms in pregnancy 355
Chapter 7 Men’s Health 361
Lower urinary tract symptoms 361
Erectile dysfunction 366
Hair loss 370
Chapter 8 Older People, Frailty and Falls Prevention 377
Frailty 377
Preventing falls 378
Chapter 9 Eye and Ear Problems 385
Eye problems: the red eye 386
Eye problems: the dry eye 395
Common ear problems 402
Chapter 10 Childhood Conditions 411
Common childhood rashes - infections 411
Impetigo 420
Infantile colic 422
Teething 425
Nappy rash (napkin dermatitis) 426
Head lice 432
Threadworm (pinworm) 439
Oral thrush (oral candidiasis) 443
Chapter 11 Insomnia and Mental Well- Being 453
Insomnia 453
Mental well- being 461
Suicidal thoughts and suicide prevention 464
Chapter 12 Prevention of Heart Disease 471
Prevention of heart disease 471
Smoking cessation and nicotine replacement therapy 480
OTC orlistat 487
Chapter 13 Malaria Prevention 495
Chapter 14 Pharmacogenomics 507
Appendix: Summary of Symptoms for Direct Referral 517
Index 519
