Whelehans Health News

Anti-depressants Part 2   Side effects of antidepressants   The most common side effects are as follows:   Tricyclics Tricyclics commonly cause dry mouth, a slight tremor, fast heartbeat, constipation, sleepiness, and weight gain. These effects are reduced if a low dose is given to start and the dose is then slowly increased. Other side effects which are more common in older people include confusion, inability to pass urine, and postural hypotension. They should be avoided in patients with heart conditions as they can cause irregular heartbeat. They can cause erective dysfunction and delayed ejaculation in men. Tricyclic antidepressants are...

Antidepressants Part 1   I focus on pharmacological treatment options for depression. I will not outline the causes, symptoms etc of depression. Talking therapies such as CBT should be the first line as a treatment option for depression; medication should always be used in tandem with talking therapies for mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.   Antidepressants   The first antidepressants were developed in the 1950s. There are now about thirty different kinds of antidepressants available and there are six main types: Tricyclics MAOIs (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors) SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) SNRIs (Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors) NASSAs (Noradrenaline...

Can you get Flu Vaccine and Covid Vaccine at the same time?   Yes, you can receive the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. The HSE and health experts recommend getting both vaccines to protect yourself and others from these contagious respiratory illnesses.   The flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses, so the vaccines for each target those specific viruses. There is no evidence to suggest that receiving both vaccines simultaneously would reduce their effectiveness or cause significant side effects. Co-administering vaccines is common in healthcare to ensure people are up to date on...

Get the flu vaccine...not the flu (plus the Covid Booster)   Eamonn Brady is a pharmacist and the owner of Whelehans Pharmacies, Pearse St and Clonmore, Mullingar. If you have any health questions e-mail them to info@whelehans.ie   Influenza (flu) is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It can affect people of any age. You can get the flu vaccination your GP surgery or local pharmacy. The flu vaccine is free if over 65, children under 18, people with long-term illness, pregnant women, and health care workers. You can get your flu vaccine at Whelehans...

Chemotherapy Part 5 Side effects of anti-sickness drugs used in chemotherapy   Most chemotherapy patients who use anti-sickness drugs encounter no side effects from the anti-sicknesss, but on rare occasions side effects can occur.   Fatigue Many anti-sicknesss can cause fatigue or drowsiness, which might make the patient feel tired or sluggish. Examples of anti-sickness drugs that can cuase fatigue include ondansetron, promethazine, metoclopramide and prochlorperazine.   Headaches Some individuals may experience headaches as a side effect of anti-sickness medications. Examples of anti-sickness drugs that can cuase headaches include metoclopramide, ondansetron, prochlorperazine, promethazine and domperidone   Constipation or diarrhoea Anti-sicknesss can...