Pharmaceuticals

If you're looking for quick relief from motion sickness and nausea, Avomine can be a game-changer. Avomine, also known as promethazine teoclate, is a medication belonging to the group of antiemetics.

It works by blocking specific histamine receptors in the brain, which helps prevent the signals that trigger nausea and vomiting. Avomine is available to buy over the counter.

It typically starts working within 20 to 30 minutes - for best results, take it before travelling, on an empty stomach, unless advised otherwise.

Mild side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, or blurred vision may occur initially, but they usually resolve on their own as your body adjusts to the medication.

Are you struggling with high cholesterol? Atorvastatin might be the answer!

It belongs to a group of medicines called statins. Statins are designed to lower cholesterol levels, a type of fat in your blood, by blocking the production of it in your liver.

High cholesterol levels can lead to build up in the arteries and block blood flow, resulting in a heart attack, stroke, or other heart issues. By lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and increasing good cholesterol (HDL), Atorvastatin helps to reduce the risk of such diseases.

Statins are considered to be one of the most effective medications for lowering cholesterol.

The most common side effects of atorvastatin are muscle pain, headache, and nausea. However, they are usually mild and go away on their own.

Take it as prescribed, at the same time each day, and you should start seeing benefits within four weeks!

Remember to get regular blood tests while on this medication to check your liver  and kidney function.

Stay curious and stay healthy!

Have you ever taken Co-codamol before? Co-codamol is a combination painkiller that contains codeine and paracetamol. It's used to manage moderate to severe pain, such as headaches, migraines, toothache, and period pain.

Codeine is an opioid that works by binding to specific pain receptors, and blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain. Paracetamol is a non-opioid painkiller, that works by reducing inflammation and pain-causing chemicals in the body.

You can buy co-codamol over the counter, however it’ll be a lower strength than what’s prescribed by your doctor. This is because Co-codamol can be addictive, so it's important to visit your GP if you require a longer term pain relief.

Common side effects include: Drowsiness, Nausea, Constipation and dry mouth. You should not take co-codamol if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or asthmatic.

Metformin is a biguanide and is primarily taken by people who have type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include, increased thirst, more frequent urination (particularly at night), tiredness and blurry vision.

Metformin helps by lowering blood sugar levels and reducing your risk of complications from diabetes, such as heart disease and stroke. It does this by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by your liver and improving insulin sensitivity. It also helps your body to use glucose more efficiently. This means that your blood sugar levels will stay lower for longer.

Common side effects include mild stomach upset or diarrhoea, Nausea, vomiting and taste alteration. However, most side effects should diminish within 2 weeks.

Mirtazapine is an atypical antidepressant, which means it works differently than other antidepressants.

It works by increasing the levels of two happy chemicals in your brain called serotonin and norepinephrine, so it can help to improve depression symptoms.

Mirtazapine is also thought to have anti-anxiety effects, which can be helpful for people who are also struggling with anxiety.

Mirtazapine is only available on prescription. It comes in tablet form and is usually taken once a day at bedtime, since it can have sedating effects, which is helpful for people who have trouble sleeping.

The most common side effects of mirtazapine are drowsiness, dry mouth, and weight gain; however these usually go away after a few weeks.

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic, that is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. It is also sometimes used off-label to treat anxiety disorders, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome.

It works by regulating the levels of specific chemicals, neurotransmitters, in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals play a role in mood, thinking, and behaviour. In schizophrenia, Quetiapine's blockade of dopamine receptors helps reduce the excessive dopamine activity in certain brain regions, which is believed to be associated with psychotic symptoms.

Common side effects of include drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, and weight gain. You should not suddenly stop taking quetiapine, as this may cause withdrawal symptoms.

Sertraline is an antidepressant, that belongs to the group of SSRIs, which stands for, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It’s used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), PTSD and other mental health conditions.

It works by increasing the levels of a happy chemical in the brain that plays a role in, mood, anxiety and sleep, called serotonin. However, when serotonin levels are low, it can lead to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

Common side-effects of Sertraline include: nausea, headache, diarrhoea and trouble sleeping, but they are usually mild and will gradually improve after a couple of weeks.

Sertraline can take several weeks to start working. In some people, it may take up to 6 weeks to see a full benefit.

Venlafaxine is used to treat depression, anxiety, and panic disorders. It belongs to the group of SNRIs – which block the reuptake of the happy brain chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine for a better mood with fewer side effects! These chemicals, or neurotransmitters, play a role in mood, sleep, appetite, and pain perception.

It can also help with social anxiety and menopausal symptoms too! The most common side effects, are nausea, dizziness, and dry mouth – which usually go away after a few weeks.

The tablet is often taken two or three times a day, and the modified-release capsule is usually taken once daily.

Patience is key! Venlafaxine can start to work within a few weeks, but it may take up to 6 weeks to see the full benefits.