An elderly customer of ours took a box of Nurofen and asked for my advice "Is it ok if I take this?".
Now this question, I've already answered it for him 2 weeks ago. He has back pain. Regular medications: Clexane 100mg injections. He's also taking blood pressure and heart medications. He looks late 80s so probably have impaired renal function.
Last week I told him Nurofen would not be suitable for him as it can increase his blood pressure, and increase risk of bleeding as he is already taking a blood thinner. And not good for his kidneys either. He didn't take it last time but decides to come back into the pharmacy because he still has a sore back and paracetamol doesn't work.
Me: "Have you seen a doctor yet?"
Him: "No, but I think Nurofen will help me. My sister takes it sometimes and its helped her."
Me: "Yeh but Nurofen is not suitable for you. I told you last week. You can't take it."
Him: "Well what can you do? If I go, I go."
Me: "But why don't see a doctor first, there's other tablets that may help you?"
Him: "Nah nothing works. I'm going to take this. Do you think this will be alright?"
Me: "No. Its not alright. I've already told you. It's not good for you."
Him: "Oh I'll just take a little bit, won't do any harm. Panadol doesn't work, so I'm going to try Nurofen."
Me: "Up to you. But I still don't recommend it."
Him: "Ok. How much is this?"
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Arghhh, stubborn customers like this makes me so angry!!!! Why ask for my advice if you don't listen to me??? They like to self diagnose and self prescribe. They will end up in hospital and you just wonder why?!??!?! Complications like this can be avoided in the first place. I don't like their thinking: "If I go, I go." No this is suicide mission because you have been warned and you know there are risks, yet you don't listen and you still go ahead with it. then you end up in hospital and then your family's gonna cry and you're gonna be in more suffering....... all because you didn't listen to your pharmacist!
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