Semper Pharmacy

Semper Pharmacy Certified drugstore with quality services.

Overactive bladder is a chronic disorder characterized by symptoms of urinary urgency, with or without incontinence.  Th...
17/02/2026

Overactive bladder is a chronic disorder characterized by symptoms of urinary urgency, with or without incontinence. This is usually accompanied by frequency and nocturial in the absence of infections.

07/02/2026

Snake bite —
Types of snake bites
Venomous
Neurotoxic (e.g., cobra, krait) → paralysis, respiratory failure
Hemotoxic (e.g., viper) → bleeding, coagulopathy
Myotoxic (some sea snakes) → muscle breakdown
Non-venomous
Local pain/swelling only
Immediate first aid (do this)
Keep the person calm and still (movement spreads venom)
Immobilize the bitten limb (splint; keep at heart level)
Remove tight items (rings, bracelets, shoes)
Get to a hospital immediately
Do NOT
❌ Cut or suck the wound
❌ Apply tourniquets
❌ Use ice, electricity, or chemicals
❌ Give alcohol or herbal remedies
Hospital treatment
1️⃣ Assessment
Identify signs of envenomation (bleeding, neuro symptoms, worsening swelling)
Labs if needed (e.g., clotting tests for viper bites)
2️⃣ Antivenom (key treatment)
Polyvalent or species-specific antivenom
Given IV
Indicated if there are systemic signs or significant local progression
⚠️ Watch for allergic reactions / anaphylaxis during infusion
3️⃣ Supportive care
Airway & breathing support (especially neurotoxic bites)
IV fluids
Pain control
Tetanus prophylaxis
Antibiotics only if infection is suspected (not routine)

07/02/2026

furuncles and carbuncles 👇
Definitions
Furuncle (boil)
Deep infection of a single hair follicle
Usually Staphylococcus aureus
Painful, erythematous nodular lesion with pus
Carbuncle
Cluster of interconnected furuncles
Deeper, more severe infection
Multiple draining sinuses
Often with fever, malaise
Common in diabetes, immunocompromised
Treatment
1. Small, uncomplicated furuncle
👉 Local care only
Warm compresses (promote drainage)
Good hygiene
NO antibiotics initially if no systemic signs
2. Large furuncle or fluctuant lesion
👉 Incision & drainage (I&D) = main treatment
Send pus for culture if recurrent or severe
📌 Antibiotics only if risk factors present
3. Indications for antibiotics
Give oral antibiotics if:
Fever or systemic symptoms
Surrounding cellulitis
Multiple lesions
Immunocompromised / diabetic
Failure to improve after I&D
Facial lesions (danger area)
Antibiotic choices
Cephalexin / Dicloxacillin (MSSA)
Clindamycin
TMP-SMX (MRSA risk)
Doxycycline (if age-appropriate)
⏱️ Duration: 5–7 days
4. Carbuncle (always more serious)
👉 I&D + systemic antibiotics
Often requires hospital care
Cover S. aureus (± MRSA)
Recurrent furunculosis
Screen for nasal Staph carriage
Mupirocin intranasal
Chlorhexidine body washes
Address risk factors (e.g., diabetes)
Key exam pearls 🧠
I&D is the cornerstone
Antibiotics ≠ substitute for drainage
Carbuncle = multiple furuncles + systemic sign

07/02/2026

Impetigo treatment depends on how widespread it is and whether it’s non-bullous or bullous
1. General measures (for everyone)
Gently clean crusts with warm water/soap or saline
Keep nails short, avoid scratching
Highly contagious → good hand hygiene
2. Localized / mild impetigo
👉 Topical antibiotics (first-line)
Mupirocin 2% ointment
Fusidic acid
Retapamulin
📌 Apply 2–3 times daily for 5 days
Best for few lesions, especially non-bullous impetigo.
3. Extensive disease, multiple lesions, outbreaks, or systemic symptoms
👉 Oral antibiotics
Cover Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes
First-line (if MSSA likely):
Cephalexin
Dicloxacillin
Amoxicillin–clavulanate
If penicillin allergy:
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
If MRSA suspected:
Clindamycin
Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)
(note: doesn’t cover Strep well, so use carefully)
⏱️ Duration: 5–7 days
4. Bullous impetigo
Always needs systemic (oral) antibiotics
Caused by S. aureus toxin
Key exam pearls 🧠
Topical first if localized
Oral if extensive or bullous
Mupirocin = classic answer
Honey-colored crusts = non-bullous impetigo

06/02/2026

Comedolytic means a substance or treatment that breaks down and clears comedones—that is, blackheads and whiteheads—by preventing blockage of hair follicles.
How comedolytics work
Normalize keratinization (reduce plugging of pores)
Help open clogged follicles
Prevent formation of new comedones
Common comedolytic agents
Topical retinoids: tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene (gold standard)
Salicylic acid (beta-hydroxy acid)
Azelaic acid (mildly comedolytic + anti-inflammatory)
Clinical use
First-line for comedonal acne
Used for maintenance therapy to prevent new lesions

06/02/2026

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit (hair follicle + sebaceous gland).
Pathogenesis (the 4 key factors)
Increased sebum production (androgens)
Follicular hyperkeratinization → pore blockage
Cutibacterium (Propionibacterium) acnes proliferation
Inflammation
Types of acne lesions
Non-inflammatory
Comedones
Open → blackheads
Closed → whiteheads
Inflammatory
Papules
Pustules
Nodules
Cysts
Common sites
Face
Chest
Back
Shoulders
Grading (simplified)
Mild: comedones ± few papules
Moderate: papules & pustules
Severe: nodules, cysts, scarring
Treatment overview
Topical retinoids → comedonal acne
Benzoyl peroxide → antibacterial, resistance prevention
Topical/oral antibiotics → inflammatory acne
Oral isotretinoin → severe or refractory acne
Hormonal therapy (COCs, spironolactone) → androgen-driven acne

06/02/2026

Varenicline is a medication used to help people quit smoking. Here’s a concise overview:
1. Drug Class
Partial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist (specifically α4β2 subtype)
It reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms and blocks the rewarding effects of ni****ne.
2. Mechanism of Action
Binds to ni****ne receptors in the brain:
Partially stimulates the receptor → eases withdrawal
Blocks ni****ne from binding → reduces the pleasure from smoking
3. Indications
Smoking cessation in adults
4. Dosage
Typical start: 0.5 mg once daily for 3 days, then 0.5 mg twice daily for 4 days
Maintenance: 1 mg twice daily for 12 weeks
Can extend another 12 weeks for relapse prevention
5. Side Effects
Most common: nausea, insomnia, abnormal dreams, headache
Psychiatric warnings: mood changes, depression, suicidal thoughts (rare, but monitor)
Cardiovascular warning in patients with existing heart disease
6. Notes
Usually more effective than bupropion and sometimes more effective than ni****ne replacement therapy (NRT) for quitting smoking.

06/02/2026

Natural health products (NHPs) include:
Botanical products – these are plants or plant-based products used for health purposes, like echinacea, ginseng, or garlic.
Vitamins and minerals – essential nutrients like vitamin D, calcium, or iron.
They can also include:
Amino acids (like L-lysine)
Essential fatty acids (like omega-3 fish oils)
Probiotics (beneficial bacteria)
Homeopathic preparations
Basically, NHPs are substances used to maintain or improve health that aren’t prescription drugs.

Vericiguat is a relatively new drug used in heart failure, so let’s break it down carefully:1. Class & MechanismClass: S...
05/02/2026

Vericiguat is a relatively new drug used in heart failure, so let’s break it down carefully:
1. Class & Mechanism
Class: Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator
Mechanism of action:
Stimulates sGC, an enzyme in the heart and blood vessels.
This increases cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels.
cGMP → vasodilation and reduced cardiac stress.
Bottom line: It helps the failing heart pump more efficiently and reduces strain, without majorly dropping blood pressure.
2. Indications
Approved for patients with symptomatic chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)
Typically used in addition to standard GDMT (ACEi/ARNI, beta-blocker, MRA, SGLT2i)
Specifically for patients with recent worsening heart failure (hospitalization or need for IV diuretics)
3. Benefits
Reduces risk of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization
Can be used even if blood pressure is low, unlike some other HF drugs
4. Key Points
It is not first-line — it’s an add-on therapy after GDMT.
Often considered in patients with persistent symptoms despite optimal therapy.
Main side effects: hypotension, anemia, and dizziness
If you want, I can make a short comparison table of all newer HF drugs (SGLT2i, Vericiguat, H-ISDN,

Heart failure is a condition where the heart can’t pump blood well enough to meet the body’s needs. It doesn’t mean the ...
05/02/2026

Heart failure is a condition where the heart can’t pump blood well enough to meet the body’s needs. It doesn’t mean the heart has stopped—just that it’s working less effectively.
What actually goes wrong
The heart may be too weak to pump (can’t push blood out well), or
Too stiff to fill properly (can’t relax and fill with blood)
Main types
Left-sided heart failure (most common)
Blood backs up into the lungs
Causes breathing problems
Right-sided heart failure
Blood backs up in the body
Causes swelling in legs, ankles, abdomen
Systolic heart failure (HFrEF)
Problem with contraction (low ejection fraction)
Diastolic heart failure (HFpEF)
Problem with relaxation (normal ejection fraction)
Common symptoms
Shortness of breath (especially when lying down)
Fatigue, weakness
Swollen feet, ankles, or legs
Rapid heartbeat
Weight gain from fluid retention
Persistent cough (often at night)
Common causes
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Coronary artery disease / heart attack
Cardiomyopathy
Valvular heart disease
Diabetes
Long-term alcohol or drug use
Basic management
Lifestyle: low-salt diet, fluid restriction, exercise (as tolerated)
Medications:
ACE inhibitors / ARBs / ARNI
Beta blockers
Diuretics (e.g., furosemide)
Aldosterone antagonists
Advanced cases: devices (ICD, CRT) or transplant

For asymptomatic amebiasis (caused by Entamoeba histolytica), the treatment focuses on eliminating the cysts in the inte...
04/02/2026

For asymptomatic amebiasis (caused by Entamoeba histolytica), the treatment focuses on eliminating the cysts in the intestines, because the patient doesn’t have invasive disease.
The drug of choice is a luminal amebicide, such as:
Paromomycin – an aminoglycoside that stays in the gut and kills cysts
Iodoquinol – effective against intestinal cysts
Diloxanide furoate – another option in some regions
Important: Drugs like metronidazole or tinidazole are used for symptomatic or invasive amebiasis (like liver abscesses or dysentery), not for asymptomatic carriers alone.

Paget disease (of bone) 🦴Paget disease is a chronic disorder of bone remodeling where there is excessive bone resorption...
04/02/2026

Paget disease (of bone) 🦴
Paget disease is a chronic disorder of bone remodeling where there is excessive bone resorption followed by disorganized bone formation.
Pathophysiology
↑ Osteoclast activity (overactive bone breakdown)
Followed by ↑ osteoblast activity → weak, enlarged, deformed bone
Bone becomes hypervascular, thick, but fragile
Commonly affected bones
Pelvis
Spine
Skull
Femur
Tibia
Clinical features
Bone pain
Bone deformities (bowed legs)
↑ Head size, hearing loss (skull involvement)
Pathological fractures
Sometimes asymptomatic (picked up on labs)
Investigations (very high-yield)
↑ ALP (alkaline phosphatase) ✅
Normal calcium and phosphate
X-ray: mixed lytic and sclerotic lesions
Bone scan: ↑ uptake in affected bones
Treatment
Drug of choice
👉 Bisphosphonates
Alendronate
Risedronate
Zoledronic acid (most potent, often preferred)
Alternatives
Calcitonin (if bisphosphonates not tolerated)
Complications
Osteoarthritis
Fractures
Hearing loss
Rarely: osteosarcoma
Exam pearls 🧠
Paget disease = ↑ ALP with normal Ca²⁺
Bisphosphonates are first line

Address

75 Egbe Road Iyana Ejigbo Bus/stop Opposite Cowbell Complex
Lagos

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 21:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 21:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 21:00
Thursday 09:00 - 21:00
Friday 09:00 - 21:00
Saturday 09:00 - 21:00
Sunday 12:00 - 20:00

Telephone

+2348064022573

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Semper Pharmacy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram