Brown’s Community Pharmacy

01/10/2025

✨ Back in stock! ✨
We’ve just received a limited shipment of Optifast Chocolate Shakes 🍫🥤
These go fast, so grab yours while you can!

26/09/2025

Browns Pharmacy would like to thank everyone for there huge support today! Thanks our awesome community. We will keep fundraising over the next few days for anyone who missed the opportunity.

18/09/2025

Fungal Skin Infections

What is a fungal infection?

Fungal organisms love warm, moist, dark places – which is why the most common fungal infections occur in skin folds and creases, most often on the arms, legs, chest, face and scalp (ringworm). Others are tinea between the toes (athlete’s foot), or in the groin (jock itch), and candida, a yeast-like fungus that lives in the gut, mouth or va**na but can get out of control, causing thrush.
How do fungal infections spread?
Fungal spores in the skin are usually kept under control by our immune system, and other “helpful” microorganisms. Several factors can lead to an infection:
taking antibiotics, which kills the helpful microorganisms;
having a compromised immune system due to illness;
hormonal changes during pregnancy;
high blood-sugar levels in people with diabetes.

What are the symptoms?
Mouth thrush – stinging or itching white patches.
Vaginal thrush – itching, pain and discharge.
Ringworm (skin) – red, itchy, scaly patches in a ring pattern.
Ringworm (nails) – thickened, discoloured nails that can get painful and crumble.

Athlete’s foot – pale, itchy, soggy patches between the toes.
Jock itch – itching and redness in the groin areas.
Prevention and treatment
Most fungal infections are irritating and unpleasant. You can help prevent infection spreading through hygiene and self-care, including:

Dry yourself thoroughly after showering or bathing.
Wear loose clothing made of natural fibres.
Go barefoot frequently to allow your feet to dry out, except in areas where picking up a contagious fungal infection like ringworm is a high risk, such as swimming pools.
Ringworm and other fungal skin infections can be avoided by ensuring that your pets don’t have it.

Treatment for fungal infections
Topical anti-fungal sprays and creams, and shampoos, applied directly to the infected area of the skin, hair or scalp, will usually get rid of the offending microorganisms. These are available from our pharmacy. Click here

For va**nal thrush, use anti-fungal creams or pessaries. Click here
Seek advice from your doctor or pharmacy if the problem worsens, for example if a tinea-type fungal infection is widespread or doesn’t clear up with topical treatment.

Drop in and see us, or get in touch to see how we can help you treat fungal infections.
For more information:
https://www.healthnavigator.or...

18/09/2025

KAITAIA POST SHOP WILL BE CLOSED
TODAY DUE TO ILLNESS

SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE
OPEN MONDAY 9.00AM

17/09/2025

Nose & Sinus
Saline sinus rinses are a natural, drug-free way to relieve sinus congestion problems including snoring.

Using a nasal rinse containing salt water can help to thin the mucus you produce in your nose, and stop it draining into the back of your throat. It also helps to rinse away irritants that make your nose itchy and make you sneeze.

If you're using a nasal rinse, use it before you use any nasal steroid medicines, such as Flixonase.

What is sinusitis?

The nasal sinuses are air-filled cavities inside the facial bones. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the lining of one or more of the sinuses.

Acute sinusitis is a very common condition and is often associated with viral or bacterial infections that spread to the sinuses. When the normal sinus openings become blocked, the cavities fill with infection often producing pain and a feeling of pressure over the affected sinuses. Other symptoms of acute sinusitis are fever, fatigue and nasal drip.

Chronic sinusitis is a longer term sinus problem that usually follows a single attack or repeated attacks of acute sinusitis. Postnasal drip, and nasal congestion are the most common symptoms of chronic sinusitis.

What is the medical treatment?

Most patients, who suffer an acute attack of sinusitis, generally get better by themselves without antibiotics, and if they do take antibiotics the majority of patients may have no further problems.

Oral antibiotics, decongestants and painkillers are frequently prescribed. Treatment may also include treatment for allergies or help to stop smoking.

How to rinse your sinuses

Although easy to use, the rinsing process may seem unusual at first and may take a little getting used to. Check out the video instructions here.

1. Draw up saline into the bottle. Tilt your head downward over a sink (or in the shower) and rotate to the left. Squeeze approximately 100ml of solution gently into the right (top) nostril. Breathe normally through your mouth. In a few seconds the solution should come out through your left nostril. Rotate your head and repeat the process on the left side.

2. Adjust your head position as needed so the solution does not go down the back of your throat or into your ears.

3. Blow your nose very gently to prevent the solution from going into your ear and causing discomfort.

4. After using the rinse, you may continue using your prescribed nasal medications as normal. You may notice that they work better.

FESS NASAL & SINUS WASH

FESS Nasal & Sinus Wash is an easy squeeze bottle system that allows you to deliver the saline solution with positive pressure to clean the nasal passages thoroughly.

You have complete control of the pressure and volume of solution, ensuring a gentle, soothing and therapeutic experience.

Daily rinsing will keep your nasal passages clean and healthy.

Precautions

Do not use sinus rinses if your nasal passageway is severely blocked.

Stop using if you experience pain, nosebleeds or other problems.

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, consult your health professional.

Distributed in New Zealand by Healthcare Logistics, Auckland.

Where can I get more information?

For starters, it’s always a good idea to speak to your local pharmacist or your GP.

For more information on saline nasal rinses, try:
https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/s/saline-nasal-sprays-drops-rinses/

https://www.healthinfo.org.nz/patientinfo/110759.pdf

Our Opening Hours
Monday - Friday
8.30 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Sunday
Closed

Statutory Holidays
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

17/09/2025

Allergies
Allergies are the most common chronic health condition affecting New Zealanders. At least 1 in 5 people are affected, and this is likely to rise. Allergies are caused by the immune system overreacting to an irritant like pollen or animal hair that is otherwise harmless to most people.

Allergic rhinitis – commonly known as hayfever – is the most common symptom of allergies. It causes a recurrent runny, stuffy or itchy nose, and frequent sneezing. It can also affect eyes, sinuses, throat and ears.

Fortunately there are many products available to treat and prevent allergy symptoms:

Nasal sprays like Flixonase and Dymista

Antihistamine tablets like Levrix, Razene, Telfast and Lora-Tabs

Eye drops

Saline rinse for the sinuse

Resistant to hayfever tablets?
If you are a regular hayfever sufferer you have probably tried all of the brands and active ingredients of antihistamines and are struggling to find the perfect match.

With so many different ingredients, and options on the market it can hard to know what to choose, or if you take the same product for a long time, you may start to find it does not work as well as it used to.

The action of antihistamines
Antihistamines are used for the treatment of symptoms associated with allergies including sneezing, itching and watery eyes. They are also used to treat insect bites and inflammatory conditions of the skin.

Antihistamines are more effective when taken regularly as a prevention, before symptoms occur, rather than only when you have symptoms.

Usually, antihistamine tablets start to work within 30 minutes after being taken and tend to be most effective within 1-2 hours after being taken.

Some hayfever tablets can make you drowsy and should not be taken if you are driving or working.

The newer non-sedating antihistamines are the most popular treatment for hayfever as they are safe to take in the morning – before you go outside. Taking the medication regularly will help keep your symptoms under control.

If you are unsure of which antihistamine would suit your needs come in and talk to us.

LEVRIX TABLETS
Levrix clears your nose and relieves hayfever fast.

Levrix contains Levocetirizine, a second generation antihistamine treatment that may help to provide relief from seasonal allergic rhinitis as well as persistent allergic rhinitis and urticaria or hives. Clinical studies on Levrix show an 83% improvement in clearing a blocked nose for allergy sufferers*.

What makes Levrix different from other antihistamine brands?

Is fast-acting – relief begins in 20 minutes

Double-action for hayfever and blocked nose

Relieves itchy skin

One tablet can provide 24 hours of relief!

Suitable for children from 6 years of age

*Vos, C. D., Mitchev, K., Pinelli, M., Derde, M., & Boev, R. (2008). Non-Interventional Study Comparing Treatment Satisfaction in Patients Treated with Antihistamines. Clinical Drug Investigation, 28(4), 221-230. doi:10.2165/00044011-200828040-00003 Potter P.C. Allergy 2003:58:893-899

LORACLEAR, FEXACLEAR, HISTACLEAR TABLETS

These non-drowsy antihistamines for allergy relief are useful for the relief of symptoms associated with perennial and seasonal rhinitis (hayfever), such as sneezing, nasal discharge and itching, as well as burning and itching of eyes.

For advice on which antihistamine to take it’s always a good idea to speak to your local pharmacist or your GP.

Precautions – Sedating antihistamines, in particular, may not be suitable for some people. If you have any of the following problems, let your doctor or pharmacist know before you start taking any antihistamines:

glaucoma

problems with your liver or kidneys

epilepsy

acute porphyria (a rare metabolic disorder)

men with prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding check with your doctor before taking antihistamines.

For more information on antihistamines, try:

http://www.allergy.org.nz/A-Z+Allergies/allergic+rhinitis+hay+fever.html

Our Opening Hours
Monday - Friday
8.30 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Sunday
Closed

Statutory Holidays
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Contact us
Phone: 09 408 0404

Email:
kaitaiapharmacy@gmail.com

89-91 Commerce Street
Kaitaia

08/09/2025

Thankyou from all our team for the support of our community for s Daffodil Day 2025!!! Your contributions means so much to so many.

13/08/2025

💄✨ Get ready to glow for less! ✨💄
Thin Lizzy is now 50% OFF – perfect for correcting, perfecting, and enhancing your look without breaking the bank.

📅 Hurry, offer ends Wednesday 20th August 2025
📍 Available at Brown’s Community Pharmacy

Brown’s Pharmacy is proud to provide an excellent service to serve people of all walks of life

08/08/2025

Thankyou PKF Kaitaia for the lovely flowers you have sent for our Business Award we received. Very much appreciated .

06/08/2025

Go Healthy Immune Support
Many people think that it’s the cold weather that makes us more susceptible to ills and chills, but that’s not actually the case. A bigger issue is that during the colder weather we’re more inclined to stay indoors, where it’s warm and cosy.

Unfortunately, that means we’re in closer and more constant proximity to other people. We can support our immune health system health.

Olive Leaf Extract supports your immune system health
Olive leaf has Olive Leaf helps support immune function and the body’s natural immune response to winter ills and chills.

Other immune support ingredients
Zinc is a trace element that supports a healthy immune system.

Echinacea purpurea is a herb that helps support a healthy immune system.

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin for general health and wellbeing and has antioxidant properties.

GO Healthy VIR-DEFENCE
GO VIR-DEFENCE is designed to support immune system health. Each fast release capsule contains high strength Olive leaf, along with other immune supporting ingredients including Echinacea, Garlic and Vitamin C.

GO VIR-DEFENCE EXTRA is a complex immune support formula for delivering immune support when you need it most. Includes Echinacea purpurea, Ester-C®, high strength Oleuropein (Olive Leaf) and BioPerine® to support increased absorption.

Always read the label and use as directed.
If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. Go Healthy, Auckland. TAPS: PP4145