"I was hoping for a male pharmacist..."

I do not know this person, but he came in around 9:30pm one night, and that is how he started his conversation with me. Well, you might have guessed it. It was interesting to hear about more of the misconceptions people have surrounding pharmacology, specifically erectile/sexual dysfunction. This was actually a pretty academic discussion, although he was apparently inquiring for himself, after deciding I looked safe enough to ask. Here were some of the questions, which took awhile to actually define:
#1. What is the "natural equivalent" to Viagra?
My answer: there isn't one, although there are definitely medicinal natural compounds, there are no equivalent alternative/herbal medicines to Viagra. After I took out my PDA and looked into it for a second on Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, I found out that yohimbine has some weak evidence. (It also has cardiac side effects that sound pretty scarey.)
#2. What does Viagra do anyway? I don't understand any of the physiology...
My answer: "Drugs like Viagra increase blood flow." I suppose I was somewhat inhibited, because he thought about it for a second, and looked at me, and I did not elaborate further, although he asked the question again after a few minutes, and I eventually did give him a little more..."...increased blood flow to certain relevant areas through dilation of blood vessels..."
#3. I tried Levitra and it didn't work for me. Do you think it could be because I drink about 5 cups of tea every day?
My answer: The caffeine in tea may have an effect on the nearby renal system by causing fluid loss (aka diuresis), but unlikely it's contributing. I would have to look into it more to say for sure. You may want to give Viagra a try, because it is a similar medicine with a slightly different chemical structure, which makes it a potential option, even though Levitra did not work for you.
#4. When I was with someone I really cared about, "I didn't have any trouble," so that makes me think it's partly emotional.
My answer: Sex originates in the brain for sure. And that could definitely be a factor.

Would you believe me if I told you he eventually confessed that he used to rob pharmacies--"not to make me nervous or anything..."? Since then he said he's tried to just find out where the natural source of the medicines we use is, so he can just buy it from the herbal section of the pharmacy [unsaid...and he won't have to resort to robbery anymore??!]

What would you have said? I have to admit that I was pretty happy when 10pm arrived and it was time to go; however, I felt pretty good about his taking the time to discuss such a personal issue with me at such length, although I clearly wasn't the male pharmacist he was hoping for. I was happy for the opportunity to dispel some myths. Too bad he didn't have any questions about avoiding STD's... maybe another day!

The "Drug Info Pharmacy"

What a weekend! With a job in community pharmacy, who needs a residency? Last weekend, I worked at a certain store, and the questions were amazing! Here is a sample:

"What about probiotics for a 6-month old with diarrhea?"

"What about colace solution in the ear to loosen ear wax?"

"I think I'm anemic because I had a bypass surgery on my heart 3 months ago, and I want to take some iron; what should I take?"

"I am looking for retinol cream to prevent skin cancer. My friend said you have it here, but I don't know what it's called..."

"I have an immune deficiency, and I'm wondering if this lotion will really do anything to lessen my dark, patchy, itchy spots all over my upper body that I've had for the last year, and nothing has worked so far."

"What is an equivalent dose of Dilaudid to Tylenol #3 for back pain?"

"I don't get my drugs here, but I got home with a prescription for Diflucan for my yeast infection, and I read it shouldn't be taken with omeprazole. What's the danger? Should I use these vaginal suppositories instead, because I have a serious stomach condition, which is why I take the omeprazole?"

"My doctor said I have a urinary tract infection, and then two days later, I got a message that I have a yeast infection! What is happening? Do I really need this medicine? Why didn't they tell me when I was there? Can my husband get this from me if we have sex?"

If these questions weren't enough, we had a very sad situation in the afternoon on Sunday when a seizure occurred in our store. Thank God the employee was in the back room when it happened. When they came running for help, the training just came right back to me... as we were calling 911... keep the area clear of obstacles, and the seizure should only last a minute or two, no objects in the mouth, and if possible, keep her turned so that she doesn't aspirate anything down her throat... she's in the hospital now, awaiting brain surgery for two large tumors on her brain this Friday! How sad! Lots of people are praying she has a full recovery!

Not bad for my second weekend working solo as a licensed community pharmacist?