May 2025 Pharmacy Roundup — Lasix, Statins, Vitamin Deficiency & Dog Care
We published four practical guides this month—clear, usable advice on a common diuretic, safer statin choices if you love grapefruit, how to spot vitamin shortfalls, and home care tips for dogs on metronidazole. Read the quick takeaways below so you can act fast and ask the right questions at your next appointment.
Medication safety highlights
Lasix (furosemide) helps get rid of extra fluid and lower blood pressure fast. Watch your weight daily—gain of 2–3 pounds in a day can mean fluid is coming back. Expect bathroom trips and possible dizziness; take it in the morning to avoid nighttime wakes. Have blood tests for electrolytes and kidney function on schedule, and tell your provider about muscle cramps, severe weakness, or fainting right away.
Statins and grapefruit clash because grapefruit blocks enzymes that break down certain cholesterol drugs. If you can’t give up grapefruit, ask your prescriber about switching to pravastatin, rosuvastatin, or pitavastatin—these are less likely to interact. When you discuss a switch, ask how your dose will be checked and what symptoms (muscle pain, dark urine) should prompt immediate contact with your clinic.
Nutrition & pet care tips
Vitamin deficiency often shows up as tiredness, hair or nail changes, numbness or tingling, and mood shifts. A quick blood test can pinpoint low B12, iron, vitamin D, or folate. Boost food first: oily fish and fortified milk for vitamin D, red meat or beans for iron, leafy greens for folate. If supplements are needed, follow the dose on the bottle or your pharmacist’s advice—don’t double up without checking.
Taking care of a dog on metronidazole mostly means attention and simple comforts. Feed small bland meals if the stomach is upset. Give probiotics designed for dogs, timed a couple of hours after the antibiotic to avoid neutralizing it. Keep fresh water available and watch stool and appetite. Call the vet if you see severe vomiting, unsteady walking, or strange behavior—those can be signs of toxicity.
Each full article on the site has step-by-step tips, what to watch for, and questions to take to your doctor or vet. If you want a quick printout or need to bookmark the guides, head to Shiner Family Pharmacy’s May 2025 posts for the full details and handy checklists you can use at home.