AnythingUrban - by R Eldridge

A Reader Asks The PharmD: Do Cold Medications Really Cure a Cold?

...your health and medication related questions addressed by a Pharmacist

Dear RX Rated:

I’ve wondered whether or not the cold drugs bought at the pharmacy actually cure a cold.  A friend of mine and I were going back and forth about this the last time I became sick.  I’m not one to take medications unless I absolutely have to.  What do you think?

Melinda H.

Houston, TX

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Hi Melinda,

That is a great question.  I’m sure you’ve heard friends telling you, “you better get on top of that cold before it gets bad” as they ramble to find the Pseudofed in the medicine cabinet.  Or you have seen your mother, girlfriend, or boyfriend taking the quickest route to the pharmacy to grab a box of Theraflu.  Something about sipping that hot cup of steaming medicinal goodness just makes you feel like surely this will get rid of your cold. Don’t let it be lemon or honey flavored. You can almost feel their love steaming straight out of the cup, along with a quick route to recovery.

 These common cold products are great for making you feel more comfortable, or maybe even help you make it through another work day (when you really should be keeping your cooties at home).  But will the traditional cold medications help you to recover from a cold any more quickly?  They generally contain different amounts or variations of common ingredients to address your specific symptoms.

New Thursday Feature: Rx Rated with a PharmD featuring Dawn Johnson

I am so excited to speak with you today.  A few weeks ago I shared how I will be shaking things up a bit here on the blog - more so to deliver stronger and more relevant content.  As I forge ahead, I'd like to introduce you to a new bi-monthly feature that will share common health and medication related information from a subject matter expert.  This will be titled (drumroll please):

Without further adieu, I'd like to introduce the captain of the ship, Dawn Johnson.  Dawn is dedicated to helping to educate, inform, and assist those as a medical practitioner, and I feel excited that she will be here each week to answer your questions.  She took time to share her background and how her passion for helping others has been such a blessing.  Enjoy.

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Rx Rated with a PharmD: Your health and medication questions addressed by a Pharmacist

By Dawn Johnson, PharmD 

Ever since I was around 13 years old, I have always had a passion for learning science.  I knew at a very early age that I was meant to help people in some form or fashion.  My parents instilled the value of education to me and my older brother, and watching both parents work in hospital healthcare introduced me to medicine.  I saw how much the efforts of healthcare professionals can add to the quality of life for others, especially towards those who have great needs due to lack of access. I appreciated how genuine care, a giving Christ like spirit, along with professional knowledge and credentials can help change someone’s life. I also witnessed close family members develop needs for special care.  Upon graduating from high school, the decision to pursue health care as an occupation was very transparent. 

I attended Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA where I received my bachelor’s degree in biology.  A few years later, I applied to and was accepted into the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Texas Southern University, in Houston, TX, from which I graduated receiving a PharmD.  My path towards graduate education was based upon my interest to learn from professionals and practitioners, while building my platform for applying my skill set. This path required many days and nights of diligent and disciplined studying.  As I have dedicated my life towards learning the pharmaceutical sciences, I also developed and appreciated those that laid the groundwork for me to broaden my knowledge base, and prepare to be a future pharmacist. The clear path of success in healthcare was laid out before me as I spent countless hours studying at various coffee shops around the city.  The fellowship with other students, the smiles that were produced from my interaction with patients and – all components of a beautiful path that I feel blessed to be a part of everyday. 

But my path doesn’t stop here.  As a new addition to The Manchild Swagga, I will be featuring and answering your questions each Thursday on TMSs new weekly feature, RX Rated With a PharmD: your health and medication questions addressed by a PharmD.  Please email your questions to me at rx-rated@live.com. 

I will address concerns such as:

• Do cold medications really help cure a cold?
• What are the best ways to prevent and treat the flu?
• And any questions that are on your mind (Don’t be shy)

See you soon.  And please don't hesitate to drop me a message if you have any questions,  needs, thoughts, or misconceptions about anything related to health.  Take care.