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<h2 style="font-size:1.5em; margin-bottom:15px;">Creating A Healthier Pharmacy Experience For You</h2>

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<h5 style="line-height:1.5; font-weight:300; font-size:1em;">Deliver safe, efficacious and cost-effective medicines that benefit patients and healthcare providers in the U.S.</h5><br>

<h4 style="font-weight:600;">We prioritize your care</h4>

<p>Excellent customer service and affordable medications are our top priority.  If you’re ever in Winston-Salem, come <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Marley+Drug/@36.0033967,-80.2662546,17z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8853a525c2266da7:0xd0eb465e72634682!2s5008+Peters+Creek+Pkwy,+Winston-Salem,+NC+27127,+USA!3b1!8m2!3d36.0033967!4d-80.2640659!3m4!1s0x8853a525c180980f:0xa00aaca9ad3d6351!8m2!3d36.0033987!4d-80.2639702" target="_blank">visit us</a> and meet <a href="/pharmacy-team" rel="noopener noreferrer">our friendly staff</a>!</p>

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OUR MISSION

<p style="font-weight:300;"><em>Omeprazole is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the US. It is typically prescribed to treat <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/acid-reflux" target="_blank">gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)</a>, but is also commonly used to treat stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as other throat and digestive system conditions. </em></p>

<h2>Here are 7 things you should know about omeprazole</h2>

<h4><strong>1. 	Omeprazole works by stopping acid from being released into your stomach.</strong></h4>

<p>When you eat a meal, as the food enters your stomach, your stomach responds by producing a liquid called stomach acid. This acid gets produced, in part, by something called a “proton pump”. The resulting liquid is extremely acidic, as the name suggests. For comparison, stomach acid is even more acidic than either vinegar or lemon juice! This acidity is great for breaking down food but can cause problems if the acid gets anywhere it shouldn’t. Your stomach is protected by a thick layer of mucus so the tissue there doesn’t get damaged by the acid. However, other places like your throat do not have this thick lining, so they can get damaged when they come into contact with the acid.</p>

<p style="background-color:#F0F3F5; padding:20px; border-left:5px solid #fee203; margin: 20px 0 30px 0;">Omeprazole is a medication in a class of drugs called “proton pumps inhibitors” (PPIs). These medications work by blocking the pump that usually pushes acid into the stomach after you eat a meal. This then decreases the amount of acid in your stomach which helps treat a number of digestive system conditions.</p>

<h4><strong>2. 	Omeprazole can be used to treat multiple conditions</strong></h3>

<p>Sometimes the acid in your stomach gets overproduced or can start travelling to places it shouldn’t, like back up your throat. This can cause a range of problems from mild issues, such as acid reflux, to more serious conditions, like ulcers.</p>

<p>Omeprazole has been approved to treat many conditions that come from <a href=https://www.marleydrug.com/managing-stomach-acid target="_blank">issues with your stomach acid</a>. This includes <span style="border-bottom:.125em solid #fee203;">gastroesophageal reflux disease, or “GERD”</span> which is a condition where the acid in your stomach comes back up into your throat and causes discomfort and potentially long-term damage.</p>

<p>Another condition that omeprazole treats is called “<span style="border-bottom:.125em solid #fee203;">erosive esophagitis</span>”. This is a condition that usually manifests after GERD has been left untreated for an extended period of time. It’s characterized by damage to the sensitive lining of your throat from repeated exposure to stomach acid.</p>

<p>Both <span style="border-bottom:.125em solid #fee203;">stomach and duodenal ulcers</span> are also treated by a course of omeprazole. An ulcer is a spot, usually in your stomach or duodenum (part of your intestines), where the mucus lining has been worn down and the acid has damaged the sensitive tissue underneath. This is painful and can be very serious if left untreated. Depending on the location and cause of the ulcer, omeprazole could be prescribed alone or in combination with antibiotics.</p>

<h4><strong>3. The 7 most common side effects of omeprazole</strong></h4>

<p style="margin-bottom:10px;">Although not every person experiences side effects while taking omeprazole, it’s good to know what to look out for. In adults, the 7 most common side effects you may experience while on omeprazole are:</p>

<ol style="list-style-type:none;">
<li>•	Headache</li>
<li>•	Upset stomach</li>
<li>•	Nausea</li>
<li>•	Diarrhea</li>
<li>•	Vomiting</li>
<li>•	Flatulence (gas)</li>
<li>•	Respiratory symptoms (most commonly in children)</li>
</ol>

<p>While these side effects are uncommon, it’s still important to speak with your healthcare provider about any side effects you experience while taking omeprazole. These are also not the only possible side effects of omeprazole, as everyone responds slightly differently to each medication. If you experience any symptoms outside of normal when you are taking this omeprazole, speak with your healthcare provider and they will decide if it’s still in your best interest to continue taking the medication.</p>

<h4><strong>4. 	Who should not take omeprazole?</strong></h4>
<p style="background-color:#F0F3F5; padding:20px; border-left:5px solid #fee203; margin: 20px 0 30px 0;">There is a very long list of medications that you can’t take while on omeprazole. These include many common antidepressants, antibiotics, HIV medications (such as nelfinavir and atazanavir), and many more. One of the most important medications to be aware of when being prescribed PPIs is antiplatelet medications, such as clopidogrel. Using an antiplatelet drug alongside a PPI can lead to major heart problems. </p>

<p><strong>Speak with your healthcare provider before taking omeprazole if you are on any other medications to make sure that they do not interact.</strong> This also includes non-prescription medications including natural health products. It’s very important for your healthcare provider to have a full picture of the medications you’re taking in order for them to make sure the combinations are safe and remain effective.</p>

<p>There are also a number of medical conditions that may respond negatively to the use of omeprazole. Because of this, it’s important to discuss any and all medical conditions you have with your healthcare provider before taking omeprazole.</p>

<h4><strong>5. 	You may have to change your diet if you take omeprazole long-term</strong></h3>

<p style="margin-bottom:10px;">Long-term use of omeprazole can lead to less absorption of some necessary vitamins and minerals. That is because some vitamins and minerals need the acidity of the stomach acid to get absorbed. The most significant changes are to your levels of:</p>

<ol style="list-style-type:none;">
<li>•	Vitamin B12</li>
<li>•	Calcium</li>
<li>•	Magnesium </li>
</ol>

<p>Because of this, if you are on long-term omeprazole therapy you should speak with your healthcare provider about potentially taking supplements for vitamin 12, calcium, and magnesium.</p>

<p style="background-color:#EDF2F4; border: 2px dotted #8DA3A8; text-align:center;">To learn more about these risks, read our article about <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/long-term-use-of-ppis-and-risks" target="_blank">Risks of long-term PPI use</a>. </p>

<h4><strong>6. Omeprazole is available both over-the-counter and by prescription</strong></h4>

<p>Omeprazole is also available as an over-the-counter medication! The over the counter, or “OTC” medication goes by the brand name Prilosec OTC. Both medications have the same active ingredient, but they have different purposes. While the prescription omeprazole is used to treat serious medical conditions, OTC Prilosec is used for patients who have very occasional heartburn. Prescription omeprazole can also be taken long-term, but the OTC version should only be taken for a maximum of 3, 14-day courses per each year. </p>

<p>Since the OTC drug has the same ingredients, it has the same possible interactions and long-term risks, so make sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are taking the OTC drug. </p>

<p style="background-color:#EDF2F4; border: 2px dotted #8DA3A8; text-align:center;">Learn more about <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/common-over-the-counter-products-for-acid-reflux" target="_blank">OTC medications for managing stomach acid and heartburn</a>. </p>

<h4><strong>7. 	You can get omeprazole for a price as low as $6 per month </strong></h4>

<p>Marley Drug offers <a href=https://www.marleydrug.com/omeprazole>generic omeprazole at a lower price</a> as part of our <a href=https://www.marleydrug.com/wholesale-price-list>Wholesale Price List</a>. A 6-month supply costs you $37, and a full 12-month supply only $70. That’s less than $6 a month. We also provide free shipping with our 6- and 12- month supplies, so your medication gets delivered right to your door in 2&ndash;3 business days for no extra costs.</p>

<p>Why are our prices so low? We provide wholesale prices, which means our medications are priced based on what it costs us to buy them, not based on the arbitrary price decided by your insurance.</p>

<p>By purchasing our medications directly from accredited wholesalers, we can cut out the insurance company middlemen who usually pull up the costs of drugs with their unpredictable “service fees”. Because of this, by not involving any insurance companies, our prices are competitive and often better than most insurance plans.</p>

<p>To learn more about the pricing of omeprazole, visit our blog post on <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/omeprazole-save-money-with-longer-supplies" target="_blank">how to save money by buying more omeprazole</a>. </p>

<div style="font-size:.9em; line-height:1.4; margin-top:50px;">
<strong>References:</strong>
<ol>
<li>Omeprazole: generic Prilosec – GoodRx (https://www.goodrx.com). Accessed 2022-06-25 </li>
<li>Prilosec (omeprazole) – Access data FDA-Approved Drugs [Internet]. [amended 09/2012; accessed 06/2022]</li>
<li>Koyyada, A. (2021). Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors as a risk factor for various adverse manifestations. Therapies, 76(1), 13-21. doi: 10.1016/j.therap.2020.06.019 </li>
</ol>

</div>

<br>
<hr style="border-bottom:2px dotted #fefefe;">

Omeprazole is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the US. It is typically prescribed to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but is also commonly used to treat stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as other throat and digestive system conditions. Here are 7 things you should know about the medication.

Omeprazole is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the US. Learn what you need to know about the medication.

7 Things to Know about Omeprazole

Gut Health

7 Things to Know About Omeprazole

<h2>What is GERD?</h2>

<p>You probably already have, or very likely will experience, heartburn or acid reflux at some point in your life. This is the feeling of a kind of burning in your chest due to the acid in your stomach coming back up your throat. This minor ailment can be self-treated by over the counter (OTC) medications, such as antacids. </p>

<p style="background-color:#EDF2F4; border: 2px dotted #8DA3A8; text-align:center;">Learn more about <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/common-over-the-counter-products-for-acid-reflux" target="_blank">OTC products for acid reflux</a></p>
<p>Marley Drug offers <a href=https://www.marleydrug.com/omeprazole>generic omeprazole at a lower price</a> as part of our <a href=https://www.marleydrug.com/wholesale-price-list>Wholesale Price List</a>.
<p>However, when this reflux is happening regularly, more than twice per week, for an extended period of time, it has evolved into a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (<a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/acid-reflux" target="_blank">GERD</a>). <strong><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">GERD is a chronic condition, characterized by the frequent <a href=https://www.marleydrug.com/managing-stomach-acid>reflux of acid back up into your throat</a>.</span></strong> It often develops as a result of a “loosened” muscle that is usually responsible for keeping the passageway closed between the throat and stomach. This muscle is called a “sphincter” and typically relaxes to let food pass and then tightens to close. However, sometimes this sphincter can become weak and doesn’t close properly anymore, resulting in the reflux of stomach acid up the throat. This can eventually cause a lot of damage to your throat, as it can get burned by the stomach acid when exposed to it too frequently. </p>

<p>While acid reflux can be treated by OTC medications, since GERD is a more serious medical condition, it typically requires the advice of a healthcare provider and prescription medication. However, often before healthcare providers prescribe medication, or even in addition to medication, they ask patients to make some lifestyle changes. 
</p>

<h2>Risk Factors For GERD</h2>

<p style="margin-bottom:10px;">There are a number of risk factors that can make someone more likely to develop GERD. These include:</p>

<ul>
        <li style="margin-bottom:5px;">Smoking</li>
        <li style="margin-bottom:5px;">Overeating</li>
        <li style="margin-bottom:5px;">Trigger foods, such as spicy or fatty foods</li>
        <li style="margin-bottom:5px;">Pregnancy</li>
        <li style="margin-bottom:5px;">Obesity</li>
        <li style="margin-bottom:5px;">Certain medications</li>
        <li style="margin-bottom:5px;">Aging</li>
</ul>

<p>Some of these risk factors, such as aging, cannot be avoided, and others, such as pregnancy or taking certain medications, you may not want to avoid. However, other risk factors can be changed or avoided to either prevent or even just help reduce GERD symptoms.</p>

<h2>How Can Food Cause GERD?</h2>

<p>The easiest way to reduce symptoms of GERD is to change your eating habits. Three of the main risk factors involve food and eating, so altering this can greatly change the frequency and intensity of GERD exacerbations. </p>

<p><strong><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">Avoid eating food late at night.</span></strong> This is less about the time of day, and more about physical behaviour late at night. The main issue is that this gets too close to when you go to bed. When you are standing or sitting upright, gravity is helping to push food down your throat and through your digestive system. While reflux absolutely can and does occur when you are standing, it’s more difficult for the acid to reflux against gravity. If you lay down, this takes away the added pressure from gravity, and food/stomach acid can much more easily come back up the throat. If you do eat late, it can help to remain upright for at least 30 minutes or as long as possible before laying down for bed. Another option is to alter which foods you are eating as a late-night snack, because this can also have an impact.</p>

<p>Avoid trigger foods. <strong><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">The most common foods that lead to reflux are very fatty, acidic and/or spicy foods.</span></strong> Avoiding or even just limiting your intake of these kinds of foods can greatly reduce the frequency you are experiencing reflux. This factor varies slightly person-to-person based on typical eating habits, so it is also an option to try taking note of which foods trigger your reflux, and subsequently avoid those foods when possible. You can also work to reduce the physical amount of those foods you are consuming. </p>

<p><strong><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">Eating too much food can also caused GERD symptoms.</span></strong> Many people complain about heartburn or reflux after a big heavy meal such as thanksgiving dinner. This is, in part, due to the amount of food that is typically consumed on these occasions. Large meals “fill up” your stomach, typically your stomach is able to hold quite a large amount of food. However, if you’re already prone to reflux and the sphincter that usually keeps the food down in the stomach has been weakened, the added pressure of a huge meal can lead to reflux of the food back up your throat. </p>

<h2>Behavioural Modifications for GERD</h2>

<p>There are also additional lifestyle choices that can alter the frequency of GERD symptoms. <strong><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">The biggest behavioural factor is smoking.</span></strong> This is because smoking causes a decrease in the pressure of the sphincter. The coughing that is associated with smoking even further leads to reflux as the power of a cough easily overpowers the pressure of a weak sphincter. It’s unclear if stopping smoking will reverse this decrease in pressure, but it is clear that stopping will prevent further damage, so it’s highly recommended to stop smoking.</p>

<p><strong><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">Drinking alcohol is also a likely trigger for GERD.</span></strong> There are a number of potential factors leading to this association, but most are once again related to the sphincter pressure. The alcohol may directly irritate the throat and stomach, also likely damaging the sphincter and leading to dysfunction there, thus causing reflux. This association is also even greater with an increased amount and frequency of alcohol consumed. </p>

<h2>Physical Modifications for GERD</h2>

<p>The final, and perhaps most important, modifiable risk factors are physical. This is because <strong><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">obesity is one of the most significant risk factors for developing GERD</span></strong>. Getting to a healthy weight has a major impact on your overall health and also specifically on reflux. This is because this excess weight increases the pressure on your body and almost “squeezes” the acid up out of your stomach and into your throat. There are many reasons why obesity has negative consequences for your health, but GERD and the resulting possible damage to your throat are very clear dangers. </p>

<p><strong><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">Even just increasing your physical activity can reduce GERD symptoms.</span></strong> This is because physical activity has a major impact on the health of your digestive system. The best exercises for reducing GERD symptoms are low impact activities that keep you as upright as possible.</p>

<p>GERD is a chronic condition, and while medications are available to prevent symptoms, reducing your risk factors is the best method to try to reverse and possibly “fix” the condition. </p>

<div style="font-size:.9em; line-height:1.4; padding:25px 0; border-top:2px dotted #e4e4e4; border-bottom:2px dotted #e4e4e4;">
<strong></strong>

<ol>
       <li>e-CPS: The Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties: The Canadian Drug Reference for Health Professionals (https://www-e-therapeutics-ca). Accessed 2022-07-11.</li>
            <li>Kahrilas, P., & Gupta, R. (1990). Mechanisms of acid reflux associated with cigarette smoking. Gut, 31(1), 4-10. doi: 10.1136/gut.31.1.4</li>
       <li>Chen, S., Wang, J., & Li, Y. (2010). Is alcohol consumption associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease?. Journal Of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B, 11(6), 423-428. doi: 10.1631/jzus.b1000013</li>
</ol>
</div>

You probably already have, or very likely will experience, heartburn or acid reflux at some point in your life. This is the feeling of a kind of burning in your chest due to the acid in your stomach coming back up your throat. This minor ailment can be self-treated by over the counter (OTC) medications, such as antacids.

GERD (acid reflux) symptoms can be alleviated by certain lifestyle modifications. The modifications include avoiding late night eating, trigger foods, quitting smoking and increasing physical activities. Learn about what you can do to lessen GERD.

Lifestyle Tips for GERD

<h2>What is Cholesterol?</h2>
	
	<p>Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance that plays a key role in producing several hormones and vitamin D. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs to function properly.</p>
	
	<p>Excess cholesterol from consuming red meat, fried foods, and other processed foods builds up in the arteries and hardens, making it harder for blood to flow as needed. </p>
	
	<p>This build-up, known as atherosclerosis, does not have many symptoms in the early stages. However, it can lead to severe chest pains known as angina and eventually a heart attack. Therefore, it is important to check your cholesterol regularly and make sure you are within a healthy range.</p>
	
	<h2>What Does a Cholesterol Test Measure?</h2>
	
	<p style="margin-bottom:10px;">A cholesterol test not only measures the level of cholesterol in your body, but also three different types of fat:</p>
	
	<ul>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;"><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)</span>: the “bad cholesterol” and main cause of cholesterol build-up. </li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;"><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">High-density lipoproteins (HDL)</span>: the “good cholesterol” which transports excess cholesterol to the liver to then be excreted</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;"><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">Triglycerides</span>: a fat that is linked to heart disease.</li>
	</ul>

	<h2>What Do Cholesterol Test Numbers Mean?</h2>
	
	<p>	Your cholesterol levels will not only be measured against an “average standard” but also your individual risk factors. If your levels seem elevated, consult your healthcare provider to help you interpret your results.</p>
	

	<h5 style="margin-top:15px; margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.5; font-weight:600; color:#5ba2b6;">Total blood cholesterol level:</h5>
	
	<ul>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">High risk: 240 mg/dL and above</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Borderline high risk: 200&ndash;239 mg/dL</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dL</li>
	</ul>
	
	<h5 style="margin-top:15px; margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.5; font-weight:600; color:#5ba2b6;">LDL cholesterol level:</h5>
	
	<ul>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">High risk: 190 mg/dL and above</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Lower risk: 189 mg/dL and below
			<p>Depending on your risk factor, you may need to lower your LDL by 30% to 50% to maintain a healthy heart and blood vessels.</p>
		</li>
	</ul>
	
	<h5 style="margin-top:15px; margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.5; font-weight:600; color:#5ba2b6;">HDL cholesterol level:</h5>
	
	<ul>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">High risk: Less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women.</li>
	</ul>
	
	<h5 style="margin-top:15px; margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.5; font-weight:600; color:#5ba2b6;">Triglycerides level:</h5>
	
	<ul>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">High risk: 200 mg/dL and above</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Borderline high risk: 150&ndash;199 mg/dL</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Normal: below 150 mg/dL</li>
	</ul>
	
	<h2>What Are Other Risk Factors?</h2>
	
	<p style="margin-bottom:10px;">When assessing you for heightened cholesterol, your healthcare provider will also ask you about:</p>
	
	<ul>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Family history</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Age</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Weight</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Race</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Gender</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Diet</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Blood pressure</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Physical activity</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Smoking status</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">Blood sugar level</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.4;">And other health conditions you have that may put you at a higher risk of heart disease and heart attacks</li>
	</ul>
	
	
	
	
	<h2>Preparing For Your Cholesterol Test</h2>
	
	<p>Your healthcare provider will either suggest doing a “fasting” or “non-fasting” cholesterol test.</p>
	
	<p>If you do a “non-fasting” test, you can show up to the lab at any time to have your blood drawn without needing to prepare in any way.</p>
	
	<p>If your healthcare provider specifically requests you do “fasting” bloodwork, you need to go to the lab having not eaten or drank anything (except water) for the past 9&ndash;12 hours. Typically, this is best done in the morning after you have woken up.</p>
	
	<p>If your results from a non-fasting test come back elevated, your healthcare provider may have you do fasting bloodwork to get a better idea of your condition.</p>
	


	<h2>What To Expect After The Test</h2>

	<p>Based on your cholesterol test results and any other risk factors you may have, your healthcare provider may suggest dietary and physical activity improvements to make to reduce your risk for heart failure.</p>
	
	<p>They may also suggest medication to lower and regulate your cholesterol levels.</p>
	
	<h2>How Often Should I Have a Cholesterol Test?</h2>
	
	<p>It is recommended that, over the age of 20, you test your cholesterol a minimum of every 5 years. If you have a higher risk factor, your healthcare provider may suggest you get tested more often.</p>

A cholesterol test not only measures the level of cholesterol in your body, but also three different types of fat:

    Low-density lipoproteins (LDL): the “bad cholesterol” and main cause of cholesterol build-up.
    High-density lipoproteins (HDL): the “good cholesterol” which transports excess cholesterol to the liver to then be excreted
    Triglycerides: a fat that is linked to heart disease.

Cholesterol test measures LDL. HDL, tryglycerides and total cholesterol levels. What is healthy range for each level?

What Do Your Cholesterol Test Results Mean?

Cholesterol

Heart Health

<p>In order to avoid accidental consumption by other individuals or even your pets, it's crucial to properly discard your unused and/or expired medication(s). Instructions on how to safely discard medicines, including pills, syringes, and/or inhalers, are provided by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) below.</p>
	
	
	<h2>What happens when my medication expires?</h2>


	<p>Expired medications can be less effective or unsafe due to a change in the drug’s chemical composition or a loss in potency.</p>
	
	<p>It’s possible for subpar medicines to fail to treat infections they were prescribed for, resulting in more severe diseases and the development of antibiotic resistance, which may occur when microorganisms, including bacteria or fungi, gain the capability to resist the antibiotic medications intended to eradicate them.</p>
	
	<p>Certain expired prescriptions are also susceptible to bacterial development. There is no assurance that the medication will be secure and efficient once the expiration date has elapsed.</p>
	
	<p>Hence, for safety purposes, it’s <strong>not</strong> recommended to use your medication if it has expired.</p>
	
	
	
	<h2>Drug Take Back Program</h2>
	
	<p>Both prescription and over-the-counter (CTC) medications should be safely disposed when they are no longer needed, have expired, damaged, or contaminated. The best way to dispose unwanted medications is through a drug take-back program. </p>
	
	<p style="margin-bottom:15px;">There are two take-back options:</p>
	
	<ul>
		<li style="line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:15px;"><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">Permanent collection sites</span>—DEA approved collections sites. They may be retail, hospital or pharmacies </li>
		<li style="line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:15px;"><span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">Periodic take back events</span>—DEA hosts temporary drug collection sites in communities</li>
		
	</ul>
	
	<p>A national prescription drug take-back day is frequently sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and occasionally provides temporary collection locations which are set up in your local towns and cities across the U.S.</p>
	
	<p>Additionally, several pharmacies feature drug disposal kiosks, and numerous local police stations have their own drug take-back programs.</p>
	
	<p style="font-weight:600; font-style:italic;">To locate a program or permitted disposal facility close to you, get in touch with your local city or county government, pharmacy, or the DEA.</p>
	
	<p>Don’t forget to remove your name and other personally identifiable information from the pharmaceutical labels with a permanent pen prior to disposing of the medication(s) in a drop-off container.</p>
	
	
	<p style="background-color:#F0F3F5; padding:20px; border-left:5px solid #fee203; margin: 20px 0 30px 0;">The take back programs <strong>do not accept sharps</strong> (used and/or unused), including syringes and needles, illegal drugs, inhalers, and/or liquid medications. These objects should be put in sharps containers that have received FDA approval and disposed of properly.<br>
	
	<br>Inhalers can be hazardous if they are burned, damaged, or tossed into an incinerator. In order to understand how to properly and safely discard your inhaler as well as any aerosol items, get in touch with your neighborhood waste or recycling facility.</p>
		
	<h2>FDA’s Flush List</h2>
	
	<p>If you don’t have a nearby take back site, you can check if your medications is on FDA’s Flush List. <strong>Do not flush medications down the toilet unless they are on the list.</strong></p>
	
	<p style="margin-bottom:15px;">The medications on the FDA’s flush list include the following:</p>
	
	
	<ul style="line-height:1.5;">
		<li style="margin-bottom:15px;">Medications that are constantly pursued for their likelihood of abuse and/or misuse (drugs that have a high addiction potential).</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:15px;">If used improperly, these drugs can cause death with just a single dose (commonly found with controlled substances).</li>

	</ul>
	
	<p>Medications on the flush list are dangerous for both people and pets if they are accidentally or intentionally consumed, contacted, misused, and/or abused. Flush them down the toilet when they're no longer needed. </p>
	

	
	<h5 style="font-weight:600;">Medication Examples in the FDA's Flush List</h5>

	
	<ul style="line-height:1.5;">
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Fentanyl, including a transdermal fentanyl patch, as well as any drug that contains the word “fentanyl”</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Buprenorphine, and/or any other drug that contains the word “buprenorphine,” including Suboxone</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Any drug that contains “hydrocodone” or “benzhydrocodone,” including Norco</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Hydromorphone</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Meperidine</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Methadone, including Dolophine</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Morphine</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Oxycodone</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Oxymorphine</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Tapentadol</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Diazepam rectal gel, as well as Diastat</li>
	</ul>
	
	<p>FDA recognizes potential impact of flushing medication could have on the environment and drinking waters. However, it believes the known risk of accidental exposure to medications far exceeds the potential risk of flushing medications down the toilet.  </p>

In order to avoid accidental consumption by other individuals or even your pets, it's crucial to properly discard your unused and/or expired medication(s). Instructions on how to safely discard medicines, including pills, syringes, and/or inhalers, are provided by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) below.

How to dispose unused and expired medications? Drug take back programs. FDA's Flush List.

Medication Disposal - How to Safely Dispose

Everyday Health

How You Should Safely Dispose of Your Unused and Expired Medications

<h5 style="line-height:1.6;">Antidepressants come in two basic varieties: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors <strong>(SSRIs)</strong> and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors <strong>(SNRIs)</strong>. While SNRIs raise serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine, SSRIs only raise serotonin levels.</h5>
	
	<p style="background-color:#EDF2F4; border: 2px dotted #8DA3A8; text-align:center; padding:10px;">Learn about <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/different-types-of-depression">Types of Depression</a></p>


	<h2>Why are serotonin and norepinephrine important?</h2>

	<p>Neurotransmitters are chemicals in your brain that aid in the transmission of nerve signals between neurons, and both SSRIs and SNRIs act on them.</p>
	
	<h4 style="font-weight:600; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:15px;">Serotonin</h4>
	
	<p>Your body uses the neurotransmitter, serotonin, to <span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">control your mood</span>. You may become depressed if your serotonin levels are too high or too low.</p>
	
	<p>Low serotonin levels can also lead to anxiety, depressive thoughts, suicidal thoughts, or compulsive behaviors. If your serotonin levels are too high, you may feel less physically and mentally active and/or excited, causing you to feel more relaxed and sleepy.</p>
	
	<h4 style="font-weight:600; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:15px;">Norepinephrine</h4>
	
	<p>A crucial component of your <span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">“fight-or-flight” response</span> is another neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine naturally increases during periods of high stress, such as when you feel threatened.</p>
	
	<p>Norepinephrine is also involved in <span style="border-bottom:.125em #fee203 solid; font-weight:600;">controlling your mood, sleep, attention, and memory</span>. Low norepinephrine levels can make it difficult to focus, cause attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, or cause depressive symptoms in certain people.</p>
	
	<p>Euphoria may be caused by norepinephrine levels that are too high. However, they can also result in hyperactivity, increased blood pressure, and panic attacks.</p>
	
	<h2>SSRI vs SNRI</h2>
	
	<table width="600" align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border:solid 1px #B2B2B2; display:block; max-width:100% !important; float:none;">
		
		
		
		<tr>
			<td style="padding:10px; background-color:#fee203; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">Prozac (Fluoxetine)</td>
			<td style="padding:10px; background-color:#fee203; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">Zoloft (Sertraline)</td>
		</tr>
		
		<tr>
			<td colspan="2" style="padding:10px; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">Similarities</td>
		</tr>
		
		<tr>
			<td colspan="2" style="padding:10px; background-color:#fffffff; vertical-align:top; border-bottom:1px dotted #b2b2b2;">
				<ul style="line-height:1.5;">
					<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Increase your brain’s serotonin levels, helping with symptoms of numerous mental health conditions</li>
					<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">They can take several weeks (approximately 4 weeks) to work/see results</li>
					<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Taken daily</li>
					<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidal thoughts, fibromyalgia, and other types of chronic pain</li>
				</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
		
		<tr>
			<td colspan="2" style="padding:10px; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">Differences</td>
		</tr>
		
		<tr>
			<td width="50%" style="padding:10px; background-color:#fffffff; vertical-align:top;">
			 	<ul style="line-height:1.5;">
					<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">SSRI are “selective", meaning they only impact the amount of serotonin in your brain</li>
					<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Can be used to treat other medical conditions, such as hot flashes, OCD, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder</li>
					
				</ul>	
			 </td>
			<td width="50%" style="padding:10px; background-color:#ffffff; vertical-align:top;">
				<ul style="line-height:1.5;">
					<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Increase norepinephrine levels, helping you concentrate and decreases depression</li>
					
					<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Some SNRI medications may treat diabetic neuropathy</li>
						
					<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">This drug class can also be used off-label to treat other conditions, such as sleep disorders</li>
					
				</ul>	
			</td>
		</tr>
	</table>
	<br>
	<p>There is insufficient evidence that one drug class or the other is consistently better for everyone.</p>
	
	<p style="background-color:#EDF2F4; border: 2px dotted #8DA3A8; text-align:center; padding:10px;">Learn about <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/what-to-expect-during-the-first-few-weeks-on-antidepressants">The first few weeks on antidepressants</a>
	
	
	<h2>SSRI medications</h2>
	
	<ul style="line-height:1.5;">
		<li style="margin-bottom:15px;"><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/citalopram">Citalopram</a> (brand: Celexa) 20&ndash;40 mg daily</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:15px;"><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/escitalopram">Escitalopram</a> (Lexapro) 10 mg daily</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:15px;"><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/fluoxetine">Fluoxetine</a> (Prozac, Sarafem) 10&ndash;60 mg daily, or 90 mg weekly<br>
						Sarafem 20 mg daily may be used for premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD)</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:15px;"><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/paroxetine">Paroxetine</a> (Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva, Brisdelle) 10-60 mg daily</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:15px;"><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/sertraline">Sertraline</a> (Zoloft) 50&ndash;200 mg daily<br>
						May be used for premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD)</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:15px;">Fluvoxamine IR/ER 50&ndash;300 mg daily
						<br>This medication is only approved for the treatment of OCD</li>
				</ul>
	
	
	
	<h2>Common side effects of SSRIs </h2>
	
	<ul style="line-height:1.5;">
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Sexual dysfunctions (i.e. decreased sexual desire, ejaculation difficulties, erectile dysfunction)</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Sleepiness</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Insomnia</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Nausea</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Dry mouth</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Weakness</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Tremor</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Dizziness</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Headaches<br>
			But SSRIs may help for migraines if taken continuously</li>
				</ul>
	
	
	<h2>SNRI medications</h2>
	
	<ul style="line-height:1.5;">
		<li style="margin-bottom:15px;"><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/venlafaxine">Venlafaxine</a> (Effexor XR) 37.5&ndash;375 mg daily<br>
			Approved for the treatment of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:15px;"><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/duloxetine">Duloxetine</a> (Cymbalta) 40&ndash;60 mg daily, or 20-30 mg BID (twice a day)<br>
			Approved for the treatment of depression, peripheral neuropathy (pain), fibromyalgia, generalized anxiety disorder, chronic musculoskeletal pain</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:15px;"><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/desvenlafaxine">Desvenlafaxine</a> (Pristiq, Khedezla) 50 mg daily<br>
			Approved for the treatment of depression</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:15px;">Levomilnacipran (Fetzima) 40&ndash;120 mg daily<br>
			Approved for the treatment of depression </li>
				</ul>
	
	
	
	<h2>Common side effects of SNRIs </h2>
	
	
	<ul style="line-height:1.5;">
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Increase heart rate</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Dilated pupils<br>
			This can lead to an episode of narrow open-angle glaucoma</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Dry mouth</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Excessive sweating</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Constipation</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Dizziness</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Nausea</li>
		<li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Headaches</li>
	</ul>
	
	<h2>Speak With Your Doctor</h2>
	
	<p>Both SSRIs and SNRIs have been shown to significantly reduce symptom severity in many individuals with depression, anxiety, and various medical conditions.</p>
	

	
	<p>Learn more about how <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/different-types-of-depression">SSRIs and SNRIs are used to treat depression and general anxiety disorder</a>.</p>
	
	<p>To get started on your treatment plan, talk to your healthcare provider about choosing between SSRI or an SNRI, and send your prescription to Marley Drug. Save up to 95% compared to your local pharmacy by using Marley Drug.</p>

Antidepressants come in two basic varieties: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). While SNRIs raise serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine, SSRIs only raise serotonin levels.

Antidepressants fall into two main categories: SSRIs and SNRIs. Learn about differences and similarities and medication in each category.

SSRI and SNRI

Mental Health

SSRI and SNRI (antidepressants)

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