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Duane Wesche, our resident pharmacist, received his degree from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1978, and has worked at BJC HealthCare since 2001. 
Learn more about Duane >

Duane answers your questions about prescription and over-the-counter medications. Check the list of topics -- your questions may already have been answered. If not, submit your question to Duane. His answer will post within five business days.

IMPORTANT

  • If you are experiencing a health emergency, call 911
  • If you require information sooner than five business days, call your personal physician
  • If you have a poisoning emergency, call the Poison Help Hotline at 800.222.1222
  • Do not use expired medications. Discard them properly; ask your physician to replace them as needed
  • Duane will not answer any questions about children under 12 regarding cough and cold medications; talk to your pediatrician

Topics

Aspirin
Children
Cough and Cold
Diabetes
Drug Interactions
Drug Interactions with Amoxicillin and Z-Pak (antibiotics that treat infection)
Drug Interactions with Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
Drug Interactions with Claritin (loratadine)
Drug Interactions with Coumadin (warfarin)
Drug Interactions with Ibuprofen (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug -- NSAID)
Drug Interactions with Isradipine (dynacirc)
Drug Interactions with Melatonin (a hormone associated with sleep)
Drug Interactions with Mucinex Products (guaifenesin)
Drug Interactions with Prednisone (a steroid)
Drug Interactions with Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate)
Drug Interactions with Synthroid (levothyroxine)
Drug Interactions with Tylenol (acetaminophen)
Drug Interactions with Xanax (alprazolam)
Drug Side Effects
Expired Medications
General Medication Questions
Medications During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Pain
Stomach/GI Distress
Vicodin
Vitamins

Don't see your question? 

 

Government Panel Votes Nonprescription Cough and Cold Medicines Are Risky for Those Under 6

It has been suggested to the FDA that children under 12
should not be recommended to take any cough and cold remedies
-- that these remedies are both ineffective and unsafe.
Other than Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Children's Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen),
do not give your child anything without a prescription from your pediatrician.

 

About Our Pharmacist
Duane Wesche received his pharmacy degree in 1978 from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and furthered his education at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, the University of Memphis, Southern California University-Pasadena. He is working on a doctorate degree in health care administration from Kennedy-Western University.

Duane has worked in a chain store pharmacy, hospital pharmacy and his own pharmacies for 17 years. Duane has been at BJC HealthCare since 2001 and currently provides inpatient pharmacy services at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. Duane is a certified asthma educator. He is a licensed pharmacist in both Illinois and in Missouri.

 

The BJC Help for Your Health website is intended as a reference and information source only. If you suspect you have a health problem, you should seek immediate care with the appropriate health care professionals. The information in this website is not a substitute for professional care, and must not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. Do not start, stop or change medications; or any health, nutritional or exercise program without first consulting your personal physician. BJC HealthCare assumes no liability for the information contained in this website or for its use.

 
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