CUE CARD CONSULT #29

This one needs no introduction.

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1. Pictured Counselling Cue Card: a free sample of our counselling reference

2. Patient Consultation: exactly what a pharmacist may say to a patient picking up this medication, with formatting to show where the information is coming from on the cue card

Clearly, there are nuances that may not be captured in this format. The goal here is to provide you with an example of how a pharmacist may counsel a patient. Basic counselling tactics (e.g. showing the patient the labeled medication as you read it, having the patient repeat the information in their own words, double checking allergies, and so on) may not be depicted in the interest of keeping the content concise.

RPh: Hi! Is this medication new for you?

Patient: Yes.

RPh: Ok. What has (prescriber) told you?

Patient: They said it would help my diabetes.

RPh: Ok. This medication is called OZEPMIC or SEMAGLUTIDE, and you'll take it (as directed). It's in the family of what's called a GLP-1 agonist, but basically it will lower your blood sugar. It's a weekly injection that goes below the skin, 2 inches from the belly button. Make sure you're not always injecting in the same spot, as this can cause irritation. Prime a new pen with the ".." setting the first time you use it to ensure it's working properly (you should see a small drop at the tip of the needle after this). Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss; please let us or your (prescriber) know if these occur or become bothersome. This medication may not be right for you if you have gallbladder disease, thyroid cancer, or if you've had surgery on your stomach. Store it in the refrigerator until you start using it, at which point you can keep it outside the fridge (it lasts 8 weeks as soon as you start using it, whether or not it's in the fridge, and injections at room temperature are generally more comfortable).

RPh: Did you have any questions?

Patient: Is this safe in pregnancy?

RPh: No it is not studied in pregnancy therefore there is no safety data. That being said, we would need to switch it to something more appropriate in that case.

Patient: Ok thanks!

We hope you have found this useful, and please reply to this email with any feedback or topic suggestions you can. It will be the key to making this newsletter the best it can be.