Frequently Asked

Questions!

With all the different types of medications and pharmacies, it can be difficult to understand everything. Grove Pharmacy has come up with a list of answers to your most asked questions!

Does Grove Pharmacy have an app?

Grove Pharmacy uses the app RxLocal. RxLocal is a great tool for all of your pharmacy needs. From this app you can see our pharmacy hours, message the pharmacy, refill your prescriptions, set reminders to take medications, view your personal health information, and view previous prescriptions.

What if medications make me tired?
Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can make you drowsy. Dosing schedules are important when trying to avoid daytime drowsiness caused by certain medications. Drowsiness can cause issues with driving, unstable walking, and even falling. It is always best to check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication, especially if you are adding an OTC medication, which may not be part of your medical record.

What makes Grove Pharmacy better than large chain pharmacies?
Grove Pharmacy goes above and beyond to meet your needs. We offer home and workplace delivery to Springfield residents. We also offer shipping throughout the state of Missouri. With a smaller pharmacy, you get more one-on-one time with a pharmacist. This allows the pharmacist to give you better feedback about your medications.

How does age increase the risk for medication side effects?
There are medications that help memory, but there are medications that can cloud and interfere with memory, and that’s something to be careful for in the elderly. Some medications like certain sleep aids can leave people a little hazy, and they have a harder time waking up and standing up. If this happens, they may need talk to their doctor about reducing the medication’s dose.

Does it really matter what time of day you take medications?
Yes, a dosing schedule is important, because every medication that you take has a specific dosing schedule — once a day, three times a day, etc. You should try to take your medication at the same time every day for the most beneficial effect of that medication. And if the medication is discontinued by the doctor, that needs to be noted and followed.

How should medicines be stored?
Keep medications in a safe place and out of the reach of children and pets. Some medications need to be refrigerated, but the majority do not, and you can keep them in a dry place that’s not exposed to temperature extremes. Also, be sure not to mix up your medications. Keep each medication in its own distinct bottle unless someone is managing the dispensing of medicines via cassettes or pillboxes. Being able to distinguish one medication from another gets harder with age.

I’ve heard some foods interact with medications. Which ones do this?
Eating grapefruit and foods with vitamin K, such as kale, spinach and other green leafy vegetables, cause the most common food-drug interactions. Grapefruit can slow the metabolism of some drugs, so it increases the drug levels in your body. Vitamin K helps the body with blood clotting but can interfere with blood-thinning medications. A lot of people on blood thinners just don’t drink grapefruit juice or they eat only small amounts of vitamin K-rich foods. To be safe with your medications, you can always ask your pharmacist.

Why do some medications say to stay out of the sun?
Sometimes, the ultraviolet (UV) light of the sun causes a structural change in the drug. These sun-sensitizing drugs have side effects when people taking them are exposed to the sun. Some side effects include burning easily or an eczema-type rash. If your medication warns you about sun exposure, it is best to stay out of the sun and to use sunscreen.

What are some tips or tools I can use to remember to take my medications?

Remembering to take medications can be challenging. One tip is to sort them into a weekly medication organizer or pillbox. Setting an alarm on a watch or phone can also provide a reminder to take your medications. Smartphone and tablet users can download apps that are programmed to alert you when it’s time to take your medications.