CASE 1: Calcium
Q : FB is a woman aged 25 years who is looking for a daily multivitamin. She has been taking an OVER-THE-COUNTER multivitamin for a year but is considering adding calcium to her regimen. FB’s mother told her she should take it to “build her bones. ” FB wants to know how much she can take and whether there will be anything else she can do with regard to her bone health. She is healthy with no other medical conditions. What recommendations should the pharmacist offer?
A : Calcium supplements have been proven to be beneficial at helping prevent osteoporosis and regarding overall bone tissue health. The recommended amount of calcium varies between 1000 plus 1200 mg daily, depending on age. Women aged 19 to 50 years ought to take 1000 mg daily, and women 50 years and older should take 1200 magnesium daily. It is important to evaluate FB’s dietary intake of calcium mineral. When making a dose recommendation of calcium, dietary products such as milk or yogurt should be subtracted. If FB is not receiving enough calcium supplement supplementation through her diet, she may take 500 mg twice every day to get maximum benefits. Other things the girl can perform to build strong bones include avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke, doing weight-bearing exercises, drinking alcohol in moderation (less than one drink per day for women and less than 2 drinks per day for men), and eating healthy food. 1
CASE 2: Vitamin D
The : LF is the woman old 22 many years who is looking for OTC vitamin D. At her recent well visit, the girl physician recommended she get vitamin D because her levels are borderline low, saying it would also help her calcium absorption. LF offers no health conditions and will be otherwise healthy. Because there are several formulations associated with calciferol, she is confused about what dose to take. She takes a daily multivitamin and a calcium supplement twice everyday. What suggestions should the pharmacist offer?
Q : Advise LF that in addition in order to building solid bones by helping calcium supplements absorption, there are many other advantages to vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the immune system fight off bacteria and viruses plus also helps with muscle and nerve functions. 2 Most adults get vitamin D through diet plan and direct sunlight, yet numerous patients still suffer from lower levels. Vitamin D is fat soluble, which means LF could overdose if she takes too a lot. Symptoms of overdose include frequent urination, high blood sugar, nausea, vomiting, plus weakness. Patients like LF, aged nineteen to 70 years, need to take 600 IU of calciferol for each day. Individuals over seventy years should take 800 IU day-to-day. 3 Patients who suffer through vitamin D deficiency may need higher doses.
CASE a few: Zinc
A : RD is a man aged 48 years that is considering a zinc supplement to prevent COVID-19. He knows zinc is advantageous for the common cold and wonders regardless of whether taking this long term prevents COVID-19. RD has diabetes and hypertension but is usually otherwise healthful. What ought to the pharmacologist recommend?
Q : Tell RD that a number of clinical trials have evaluated the use of zinc to prevent and treat COVID-19. The particular data are insufficient, and the benefits associated with zinc do not outweigh the risk. Long-term make use of zinc can lead to copper deficiency, which can cause anemia, ataxia, myelopathy, paresthesia, plus spasticity. As a result, RD need to avoid using zinc intended for the prevention of COVID- 19. 4 The best step RD can take is to get his COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, which are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, social distancing, and wearing a mask are also ways in order to avoid getting COVID-19. 5
CASE 4: Supplement C
Queen : SM is a woman aged 42 years who else is asking about supplement C supplementation and says her friends use vitamin C topically. She takes a daily multivitamin pill but desires to add supplement C with her daily regimen and asks whether it is beneficial for skin health. What recommendations should the particular pharmacist offer?
The : Although many individuals use vitamin C topically for their faces, several of the formulations furthermore include vitamin E. Vitamin C has demonstrated protection from UV radiation, and it also assists with wound healing and minimizes scar formation. Long-term studies on skin changes, such as wrinkles, are more difficult to assess. Because supplement C is definitely water soluble and she is using it topically, this would not hurt to try it. Another thing SM can do for skin health is to eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. 6
About The Author
Rupal Mansukhani, PharmD, FAPhA, CTTS , is a clinical associate professor at Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in Piscataway, along with a transitions-of-care clinical pharmacist at Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey.
Ammie Patel, PharmD, BCACP, is a medical assistant teacher of pharmacy practice plus administration in Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy from Rutgers, The particular State College of New Jersey inside Piscataway, and an ambulatory care specialist at RWJBarnabas Health Primary Care in Shrewsbury plus Eatontown, Brand new Jersey.
References
1 . Osteoporosis overview. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Updated October 2019. Accessed July 4, 2022. https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/osteoporosis/overview
2 . Micronutrient facts. CDC. Up-to-date February 1, 2022. Accessed July four, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/micronutrient-malnutrition/micronutrients/index.html
three or more. Vitamin Deb. National Institutes of Health Office associated with Dietary Supplements. Updated June two, 2022. Utilized July 4, 2022. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/ [RP3]
4. Zinc. National Institutes of Wellness. Updated April 21, 2021. Accessed This summer 4, 2022. https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/supplements/zinc/
5. How to protect yourself and others. CDC. Updated February 25, 2022. Accessed Come july 1st 4, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
six. Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. roles of vitamin Chemical in skin health. Nutrients . 2017; 9(8): 866. doi: 10. 3390/nu9080866