Nima Ataei, PharmD

Your lab results came back. Some numbers are normal. Others are highlighted in red.

But what do they actually mean for your health? 🩺

Here’s something important to understand:

One lab result doesn’t always tell the whole story.

Sometimes, what matters just as much is how your numbers have changed over time.

For example:

✅ Is your blood sugar gradually increasing?

✅ Has your kidney function changed compared to last year?

✅ Could any of your medications be affecting your lab results?

✅ Are there trends worth discussing with your doctor?

Understanding these changes can help you have more informed conversations with your healthcare team.

At Pharther Health, our pharmacists help you make sense of your lab results, review your medications, and stay on top of your health between doctor appointments.

💙 Because your health deserves more than just numbers on a screen.

Learn more at Pharther.com and schedule your free 15-minute consultation.

📲 Share this with someone who could use a little more clarity about their health.

New ankle swelling?

Your medication list may be worth checking.

Certain medications, including some blood pressure medicines such as amlodipine, can cause swelling in the feet, ankles, or lower legs.

But swelling can also have many other causes, including problems involving the heart, kidneys, veins, or circulation.

So don’t assume the medication is automatically responsible.

Instead, look at the timeline:

• Did you recently start something new?
• Did a dose change?
• Did the swelling begin around the same time?

And don’t stop a prescription medication on your own.

If swelling is new, persistent, or getting worse, talk with your healthcare professional so the cause can be properly evaluated.

Save this one for the next time a new symptom seems to come out of nowhere.

A persistent dry cough doesn’t always come from a cold or allergies.

Certain blood pressure medications, especially ACE inhibitors like lisinopril, can cause a dry cough in some people.

And the timing can be tricky.

The cough may not necessarily start right when you begin the medication. It can appear later.

That does not mean every cough should be blamed on a prescription. There are many possible causes of coughing.

But when a new symptom shows up, one of the most useful questions is:

“What changed around the time this started?”

That includes medications, doses, OTC products, and supplements.

And never stop a blood pressure medication on your own because of a social media post. If you think a medication may be contributing, talk with your healthcare professional.

Save this one for the next time a new symptom doesn’t make sense.

Found a manufacturer copay card online, but the pharmacy says you can’t use it because you have Medicare?

That’s a common source of confusion.

Manufacturer copay coupons generally can’t be applied to prescriptions being paid for through Medicare Part D or other federal healthcare programs.

But don’t assume that means you have to simply pay the higher price.

Ask about:

• Lower-cost alternatives
• Preferred pharmacies under your plan
• Medicare Extra Help
• Other manufacturer or charitable assistance programs
• Whether another legitimate cash option costs less

One important thing to remember: if you choose to pay outside your Medicare plan using a discount or cash option, that purchase may not count toward your Medicare deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

So before choosing the cheapest number at the counter, understand how you’re paying for it too.

Save this for the next time a prescription costs more than you expected.

Taking a blood thinner?

Check before reaching for ibuprofen.

NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can increase the risk of bleeding, and that becomes especially important when you’re also taking medications that already affect clotting.

That can include medications like Eliquis, Xarelto, warfarin, Pradaxa, Plavix and others.

And remember: ibuprofen can also show up inside combination OTC products, so always check the active ingredient.

This doesn’t mean you have no options for pain relief.

It means the right option should take your entire medication list and health history into account.

Save this and check before adding a new OTC pain reliever.

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General education only. Medication decisions should be individualized with your healthcare professional.

Can you take Tylenol and ibuprofen together?

For some people, the answer may be yes — but that doesn’t mean the combination is automatically appropriate for everyone.

Tylenol contains acetaminophen, while ibuprofen is an NSAID. They work differently, but each comes with its own things to consider.

Before combining them, check:

• Whether you’re already taking another product containing acetaminophen
• Whether you have kidney, stomach, heart, or bleeding concerns
• Whether ibuprofen interacts with any of your other medications

One of the biggest mistakes with OTC medications is looking at each bottle individually instead of looking at the whole medication list.

When you’re unsure, ask your pharmacist before combining pain relievers.

Save this for the next time you’re standing in the medicine aisle.

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General education only. Medication decisions should be individualized with your healthcare professional.

“Can I drink alcohol with my medications?”

It depends.

Alcohol can interact with medications in different ways. It may increase drowsiness or dizziness, affect coordination, contribute to bleeding risk with certain medications, or create additional concerns with medications that affect the liver.

And as we get older, the way our body responds to alcohol can change too.

So the better question isn’t:

“Can I drink while taking medication?”

It’s:

“Can I drink while taking MY medications?”

Your prescription medications, OTC products, supplements, health conditions and amount of alcohol all matter.

If you’re unsure, ask your pharmacist before assuming it’s safe.

Save this for the next time you’re checking your medication list.

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General education only. Medication and alcohol decisions should be individualized with your healthcare professional.

Can you cut your pill in half?

Sometimes yes.

Sometimes absolutely not.

Before splitting a tablet, check:

1. Whether it’s scored
2. Whether it’s an extended-, delayed- or controlled-release product
3. Whether the medication’s actual labeling says it can be split

Even medications with the same name can be manufactured differently, so don’t assume that because your old tablet could be split, your new one can too.

And don’t rely on appearance alone.

If you’re unsure, ask your pharmacist before reaching for the pill cutter.

Save this for the next time one of your medications changes.

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General education only. Medication decisions should be individualized with your healthcare professional.

That “PM” on the front of the box is worth looking at a little more closely.

Many OTC sleep products contain older antihistamines like diphenhydramine or doxylamine.

They can make you sleepy, but in older adults they can also contribute to dizziness, next-day drowsiness, confusion, dry mouth, constipation and increased fall risk.

If you’re using one regularly, especially after age 65, turn the bottle around and check the active ingredient.

And rather than simply replacing it with another sleep product, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about what’s actually interfering with your sleep in the first place.

Save this and check what’s in your medicine cabinet tonight.

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General education only. Medication decisions should be individualized with your healthcare professional.