WellPlus Pharmacy Ltd

30/04/2025

Let’s Talk: S*x Boosters, Erectile Dysfunction & a Dangerous Trend

✅️Main Content:

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a real and treatable health condition—but today, we’re witnessing a disturbing rise in the misuse ofs*x-enhancement drugs and herbal concoctions, sold everywhere without regulation.

From street vendors to social media ads, these products promise "instant power" but can cause serious har*:

➡️Heart problems

➡️Mental health issues

➡️Drug dependence

➡️Aggression and risky s*xual behavior

➡️Worse still, these substances are increasingly linked to s*xual crimes from r**e to defilement—especially among youth under peer pressure or those misinformed by viral myths.

Let’s have a real conversation about:

👉What causes ED and how it should be managed medically

👉Why s*x boosters are not the solution

👉The psychological and legal consequences of s*xual misconduct

👉How communities can take action

Join Pharmacist Justin live on Radio Chimwemwe tomorow Friday at 11:00AM at 91.7 Mhz Let’s break the silence and protect our youth, our families, and our future.

*xBoosters *xEducation

30/04/2025

Immediate actions: Rabies Virus 🦠

1. Washing away the wound immediately:
Wash the affected area immediately with soap and clean water for at least 15 minutes. This helps to flush out the virus.
2. Applying alcohol or iodine:
After cleaning the wound, apply alcohol, dettol or iodine on it so that the germs are eliminated.
3. Visit the nearest hospital immediately:
Contact the doctor and tell him that the dog has bit, even if the wound is minor.
Vaccine procedure:
It is extremely important to get vaccinated against Rabies. Usually the following schedule is:
Day 0: First vaccine (dog bite days)
Day 3: Second vaccine
Day 7: The third vaccine
Day 14: Fourth vaccine.
Day 28: Fifth vaccine.

Rabies Immunoglobulin is also given if a dog's bite is very deep or on a sensitive area such as the face, neck or hands (only once, on Day 0).
Important instructions:
Never delay a cure.
Don't rely on indigenous remedies.
Complete the course of vaccine, even if the wound heals..

30/01/2025

Tune in tomorrow at Radio chimwemwe at 91.7Mhz as we discuss Malaria.

13/01/2025

27/12/2024

ZAMRA Approves a Clinical Trial for a New Antimalarial Drug

27 December 2024

The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) has approved a clinical trial investigating the safety and efficacy of a new antimalarial drug, namely KLU156, being developed by Novartis for treatment of uncomplicated malaria commonly found in Zambia. KLU156 is a fixed dose combination of ganaplacide and Lumefantrine.

Ganaplacide is a new antimalarial agent that belongs to a new class of antimalarials known as imidazolopiperazines. Lumefantrine is one of the two drugs approved in a combinational antimalarial drug branded as Coartem®. Lumefantrine in KLU156 has been developed as a solid dispersion formulation (SDF).

This Phase 3 clinical trial investigating the KLU156 will be conducted by the Tropical Diseases Research Centre (TDRC) at two sites, St Paul’s Mission Hospital in Nchelenge district and Ndola Teaching Hospital. The study is expected to enrol a total of 1500 participants out of which 100 will come from Zambia. About 14 countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzanya, DR Congo and India will participate in this study.

If successful, the new drug is expected to contribute largely to an unmet medical need for anti-malarial combination treatment including a partner drug with a new mechanism of action to counter the emergence of resistance to artemisinin. Artemisinin is a drug used in the current antimalaria drugs including Lumarterm, Lonart and Coartem®.

26/12/2024

PEPTIC ULCERS.

Peptic Ulcers are sores that develop in the inside lining of the esophagus(food pipe) , stomach or upper portion (entrance) of the small intestines. It occurs when the lining of these organs is corroded by the acidic digestive (peptic) juices which are produced by the cells of the stomach.

However, there is a defence mechanism by the stomach to prevent this "corrosion". The stomach produces a thick mucus (PH 6-7) that that protects its lining from the acidic juices (PH 2-3).

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS.
Some of the signs and symptoms may include;
Heartburn.
Nausea/Vomiting.
Belching.
Stomach pain.
Brown/dark stool.

CAUSES;
1. NSAIDs; this is a class of drugs that are commonly used as pain killers and antimflamatory effects e.g diclofenac, ibuprofen, aspirin, indomethacin, etc. These drugs can cause peptic ulcers by reducing mucus production in the stomach.
2. H-Pyroli; This a bacteria that attacks the stomach lining and produces chemicals and enzymes that neutralises the mucus hence exposing the stomach to the acidic juices that corrodes the lining thus making sores.
3. Carbonated Beverages; carbonated beverages contain carbonated water that is converted to carbon dioxide in the stomach, then the carbon dioxide is converted to gastric acid that increase the acidity of the stomach that leads to ulceration.
4.Smoking; Smoking reduces gastric mucus formation. It also reduces blood flow to the stomach/intestines thereby reducing digestion which triggers more acid production in the stomach leading to ulceration.
5.Genetic; some peptic ulcers are genetically inherited, in this situation there is reduced mucus production or high acid production or both in the stomach.

TREATMENT.
1.AntAcids. These are drugs that neutralises the already produced acid in the stomach, they react with the hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form a salt and water. Some examples of these drugs include; Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), magnesium trisilicate, Aluminium Hydroxide, etc.
2.H2 Receptor blockers. These drugs STOPS the signalling of the stomach by the brain to produce more acid, thereby reducing the amount of acid in the stomach allowing the sores to heal. Some examples are Ranitidine, nizatidine, cimetidine, etc.
3. Proton Pump Inhibitors. These drugs STOPS the chemical reaction in the cells that produces hydrochloric acid in the walls of the stomach. This leads to reduced acid in the stomach which allows the sores to heal. some examples of these drugs include omeprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, etc.
4. Antibiotics. These drugs are only used when the causative agent is the bacteria H-Pylori.

FOODS TO AVOID.
If you have ulcers some of the foods you can avoid includes;
Carbonated beverages.
Milk with high fat content.
Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, gr**es, etc.
Spicy foods.
Salty foods.
High fatty foods.
Fried foods.

Send a message to learn more

21/12/2024

💊 Thinking About Using Clomiphene Citrate to Boost Your Chances of Getting Pregnant? Let’s Break It Down 💊

When trying to conceive, understanding how fertility treatments work is crucial. Today, we’re diving into Clomiphene Citrate—a commonly prescribed medication for certain types of female infertility. Let’s analyze this step by step using first principles:

1️⃣ The Big Question: Does Clomiphene Increase the Chances of Twins?

👉Answer: YES. Compared to women who ovulate naturally, those on Clomiphene are 8-10 times more likely to conceive twins.

✅️Why? Clomiphene stimulates your ovaries to release more than one egg during ovulation, unlike the natural cycle, which typically releases just one.

2️⃣ What is Clomiphene, and Why Do Doctors Prescribe It?

👉What it is: A prescription drug used to treat certain types of infertility caused by irregular or absent ovulation.

✅️How it works:

It “tricks” your brain into thinking your estrogen levels are low.

This triggers the brain to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)—the hormones responsible for egg development and ovulation.

Higher FSH and LH levels lead to the release of one or more eggs, increasing your chances of conception (and multiples).

3️⃣ The Process: How Is It Taken?

👉Step 1: You start with a 50 mg dose on Day 2, 3, or 5 of your menstrual cycle, taken daily for 5 days.

👉Step 2: After finishing the medication, ovulation usually occurs 7-10 days later.

👉Step 3: Timing matters! Have in*******se every day or every other day between Days 11 and 21 to increase your chances.

If ovulation doesn’t happen, the dose can be adjusted to 100 mg in the next cycle. However, Clomiphene shouldn’t be used beyond three(3) months due to its effects on uterine lining and diminishing pregnancy success rates.

4️⃣ Success Rates: Will It Work for Me?

About 80% of women who take Clomiphene will ovulate, and 20-30% will conceive.

Your chances depend on factors like:

🎈Age

🎈Weight

🎈Ovarian reserve

🎈Other health conditions

However, it’s not a magic solution. If male factor infertility or other underlying issues are present, success may be lower.

5️⃣ Potential Side Effects: Know the Risks

Like all medications, Clomiphene comes with potential side effects:

🎈Mild: Hot flashes, nausea, headaches, mood swings, breast tenderness.

🎈Serious: Ovarian cysts, blurred vision, abdominal swelling, and shortness of breath.

Always discuss any unusual symptoms with your doctor immediately.

6️⃣ Why Supervision Matters

Clomiphene should only be used under medical supervision. Before starting, your doctor will perform fertility tests to confirm that ovulation issues are the cause of infertility. Misuse or unsupervised use can lead to complications.

💡 Final Thought: Clomiphene is a valuable tool in fertility treatment when used correctly, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Make informed decisions with your healthcare provider and focus on what works for your unique situation.

💬 Let’s Talk: Have questions about Clomiphene or fertility in general? Drop them below or consult your pharmacist or doctor for personalized advice.

📢 Your Caring Pharmacist.

18/12/2024

Kindly make a date...

16/12/2024

WHAT IS SELF-PRESCRIPTION AND IT'S DANGERS;

Self-prescription is the Act of taking or using medication that requires a legal prescription from a Doctor or any legally authorised prescriber (i.e clinic officer, Dentist, nurse in-charge) without the approval of a Doctor or an authorised prescriber.

WHAT ARE THE DANGERS?
1. Incorrect self diagnosis;
you may wrongly diagnose yourself as suffering from a disease/condition that you are not even suffering from and take/use the medication that you may not require.

2. Delays seeking appropriate medical advise and treatment;
Self prescription can lead to delayed treatment of the disease because of misdiagnosis and usage of wrong medication.

3. Potential Adverse Reaction;
when you self prescribe you risk having adverse drug reaction due to wrong use (i.e dosage, frequency, etc).

4. Dangerous Drug Interactions;
There are many drugs that react with each other if they are taken/used in combination. These reactions sometimes can be dangerous and severe leading to organ damage or other conditions or even death. The information about drug interactions can only be obtained from legal health practitioners.

5. Masking of severe diseases;
Self prescription can mask(hide) the disease because it usually targets the symptoms someone is having instead of the disease itself hence leaving the disease/condition to worsen.

6. Risk of dependence or abuse;
self prescription can lead to dependence and abuse of some medicines that are taken/used for longer periods than the required or if the medicine is producing some relief of the symptoms without even treating the underlying disease/condition.

Next time you think of self-prescribing remember these dangers and make sure you consult a health practitioner.

Send a message to learn more

03/12/2024

Join us as discuss different issues concerning medicines use, medication review, etc for different diseases and conditions, as we engage the general public on Radio Chimwemwe 91.7 FM - Ndola EVERY FRIDAY 11:00AM.

Send a message to learn more

12/04/2024

Recalled: Benylin Paediatric Cough Syrup

Benylin Paediatric Cough Syrup 100ml Batch No. 329304 Manufactured by Johnson & Johnson (Pty), South Africa has been recalled. It should not be used!

The recall has been necessitated by detection of high levels of Diethylene glycol following laboratory analysis.

Benylin Paediatric Cough Syrup is used for relief cough and its congestive symptoms, hay fever and allergies in children. If you have in position this particular medicine, return it to your supplier or a nearby Pharmacy or health facility.

Diethylene glycol is toxic to humans when consumed in amounts above the acceptable limits, resulting in serious injury or death, especially in children. Toxic effects following use of this product may include but not limited to abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state and acute kidney injury which may lead to death.

Further, by this notice, importers and distributors of this product are notified to conduct market surveillance and facilitate the recall and disposal of the affected batch should it be in circulation. ZAMRA will closely monitor the recall to ensure that the product is completely removed from circulation in the interest of public health.

Last year, ZAMRA published Medical Product Alerts including a World Health Organisation (WHO) Medical Product Advisory in relation to syrups contaminated with diethylene and ethylene glycol that caused deaths of children in many regions of the world including Africa.

If you suffer any adverse drug reaction/event having used this product, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice and report the incident to the National Pharmacovigilance Unit at Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority by phone: +260 211 432 356/+260 //956 521 094 or email address at: npvu@zamra.co.zm or pharmacy@zamra.co.zm.

02/11/2023

When last did you check your Blood Pressure (BP)?