Medication Management During the Holidays

The holidays bring summer, travel, and time with family. Routines change. Schedules slip. That can make it harder to take medicines safely and on time.

Use these practical tips to stay on track, protect your health, and avoid last-minute stress.

Refill early

Beat the rush and avoid last-minute calls. Many clinics and pharmacies operate on reduced hours around Christmas and New Year. Supply or subsidy rules can also affect timing.
Request refills 5 to 7 days before you run out. Ask if a longer supply is appropriate for your medicines.
Travelling soon. Ask about early supply options or emergency supply where permitted. Your pharmacist can advise what is allowed under local rules.
Questions about timing, repeats, or subsidy. Call Bureta Pharmacy Shop at 07 576 9600.

Travel smart with prescriptions

Keep medicines in original, labelled containers and carry them in your hand luggage. Medicines are permitted through airport security. Check your airline and local aviation security guidance before you fly. Pack a current medicine list with prescriber contacts, and save 07 576 9600 in your phone. Crossing time zones. Ask Bureta Pharmacy Shop how to adjust dose times, especially for time-sensitive medicines.

Use simple reminder tools

Holidays disrupt routines. Pair doses with daily habits like brushing your teeth or morning coffee. Phone alarms, medicine reminder apps, weekly pill organisers, or pharmacy-prepared adherence packs can make it effortless. Not sure which is right for you. Talk to Bureta Pharmacy Shop.

If you miss a dose

Start by checking your prescription label or the consumer medicine information. When in doubt, call Bureta Pharmacy Shop at 07 576 9600. Do not double up unless your prescriber or pharmacist directs you to. Some medicines require a different approach when a dose is missed, and your pharmacist can advise whether to take it as soon as you remember, wait until the next scheduled dose, or follow a specific plan.

Alcohol and your medicines

Holiday toasts can interact with medicines. Combining alcohol with sedating medicines increases the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, and accidents. Some medicines should never be taken with alcohol because they can cause severe reactions. Others may affect the liver, and drinking alcohol can add extra risk. If you plan to drink, ask Bureta Pharmacy Shop what is safe with your specific regimen and stay within recommended limits.

Cold, flu, and COVID products

Seasonal bugs are common, and combination products can overlap ingredients.

Decongestants can raise blood pressure and heart rate. Use with care if you have heart or blood pressure conditions.
Some cough and cold products can interact with your regular medicines. Check before combining.
Choose one product at a time to avoid duplicate active ingredients, especially common pain or fever reducers.

Medicines and driving

Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can impair driving or operating machinery. Read the pharmacy label and see how you feel before you drive. Driving while impaired by medicines is illegal. Follow local road rules in your area. If you are unsure, ask Bureta Pharmacy Shop if your medicines can affect driving.

Storage and temperature

Where and how you store medicines matters, especially when travelling or visiting family in summer heat.

Most medicines store best at 20 to 25°C. Short trips between 15 and 30°C are usually acceptable. Avoid bathrooms, cars, and direct sunlight.
Refrigerated items should stay at 2 to 8°C. Use an insulated cooler with cold packs when travelling and do not freeze.
Keep medicines out of reach of children and pets. Use child-resistant containers when available.

Sun and summer conditions

Summer sun and high UV can burn skin quickly. Some medicines increase sun sensitivity. Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, reapply every 2 hours, wear a hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, seek shade, and stay hydrated.

Contact Bureta Pharmacy Shop

We are here to help you stay well this season. Call us, visit in store, or send a message and we will guide you.

Bureta Pharmacy Shop

Tauranga

Phone: 07 576 9600

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only. It is not intended as medical or health advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional who understands your individual medical needs.

Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)

Causes of swallowing difficulties

Swallowing difficulties can happen at any age. There are a wide range of causes for them, including:

some medicines, such as antipsychotics
heartburn and acid reflux
cancer, such as mouth or throat cancers
nervous system or brain disorders
muscle disorders
blockages or structural issues with your mouth, throat or oesophagus.

Symptoms of swallowing difficulties

Symptoms of swallowing difficulties may include:

coughing or choking when eating or drinking
bringing food back up, may be through your nose
the feeling that food is stuck in your throat
having issues chewing your food
problems with dribbling.

Swallowing difficulties can cause weight loss, dehydration and chest infections.

Diagnosing swallowing difficulties

Let your healthcare provider know if you have swallowing difficulties. They will ask you about your symptoms and check if any other health conditions you have may be the cause.

Your healthcare provider may refer you to a specialist for tests. These may include a:

gastroscopy—a camera is passed down through your mouth to look at your throat and stomach
swallowing study—your throat and stomach are x-rayed as you swallow small amounts of food.

Treating swallowing difficulties

How your swallowing difficulties are treated depends on the cause and how severe it is. Treatments may include:

medicines to treat acid reflux
swallowing therapy with a speech and language therapist
making changes to what you eat and drink, such as softer foods and using thickener in drinks
using special spoons, plates and cups
surgery to widen your oesophagus.
using special medication lubricants eg Gloup to help make it easier to swallow tablets etc. For more information click here.

Self care for swallowing difficulties

As well as seeing your healthcare provider, the following tips may help you to get food or liquids into your stomach.

Sit upright in a chair—at a table is best.
Have regular small meals instead of the main large meals.
Eat or drink small mouthfuls at a time.
If your voice is gurgly when you eat or drink, give a small cough to make sure your airway is clear.
Wet food will be easier to swallow as dry food can catch in your throat.
If your food has 2 consistencies, such as fruit in juice and cereal in milk, try to mix it into 1 consistency, or eat the solid and liquid portions separately.
Concentrate on eating and avoid talking.
Hot, ice-cold or fizzy liquids are easier to swallow than room temperature liquids.
If you are told to have thickened liquids, avoid ice-cream and jelly as they thin before swallowing.
Drink from the top half of you cup to avoid tipping your head back.

Have a look at our range of Gloup medication lubricants here which can help with difficulties swallowing tablets...

Bureta Pharmacy Shop

We're 'the little pharmacy with the big heart' - our slogan explains our attitude - small in size but big in attitude, we like to go the extra mile for our customers!