Pharmacy
ECHN’s Department of Pharmacy operates on a vision to be a community leader in providing the best pharmaceutical care to patients, by focusing on efficient and comprehensive services to patients’ needs.
ECHN’s Pharmacy Department is staffed by pharmacists and technicians that work with physicians, staff, patients and their families to ensure the safest and most effective drug therapies are prescribed to patients at both Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital.
Patient-Focused Care:
The Department of Pharmacy facilitates patient-focused care in these areas of interest:
- Cardiology Medicine
- Critical Care
- Emergency Medicine
- GI/Surgical Specialties
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
- Oncology & Ambulatory Oncology infusion
- Perioperative Services
- Psychiatry
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Pharmaceutical Resources
Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies, known as Allergic Rhinitis is the body's immune system's overreaction to outdoor stimulants such as mold spores and pollen. Seasonal allergies can cause sneezing, congestion, a runny nose and other bothersome symptoms.
Over the Counter (OTC), nonprescription medications can help ease allergy symptoms.
- Oral antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a runny nose and watery eyes. Examples of oral antihistamines include loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy) and fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy).
- Decongestants can provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness. Examples of decongestants include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Afrinol, others) and nasal sprays, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine).
It’s important to know that nasal decongestants should only be used for a few days in a row. Longer-term use of decongestant nasal sprays can worsen symptoms (rebound congestion). - Nasal spray is most effective when used before symptoms start. Cromolyn sodium nasal spray, for example, can ease allergy symptoms and doesn't have serious side effects.
- Combination medications are allergy medications that combine an antihistamine with a decongestant. Examples include loratadine-pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D) and fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D).
Routine Vaccines:
Routine vaccines are recommended for everyone in the United States, depending on age and vaccine history to help protect against infectious diseases. Routine Vaccines include but are not limited to:
- Chicken Pox (varicella)
- Flu
- Hepatitis A & B
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
- Measles, mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Meningococcal
- Pneumococcal
- Polio
- Rotavirus
- Shingles
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
COVID-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. To prevent infection and slow transmission of COVID-19, it is important to get vaccinated. Currently, a person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving all recommended doses of the vaccine. There are 3 vaccines and booster doses available at any local pharmacy:
- Pfizer
- Moderna
- Johnson & Johnson
It is also important to remain up-to-date with any new vaccine recommendations and booster recommendations.
ECHN’s Urgent Care and Emergency Department offers monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment and antiviral therapy for those who are at risk for a serious reaction to COVID-19 or if you tested positive.
- mAb treatment blocks the virus from entering the cells in your body, resulting in milder symptoms and decreasing the likelihood of a hospital stay.
- Antiviral therapy is a prescription that works by suppressing the virus’s ability to infect and multiply in your cells. This helps the body fight off an infection by easing symptoms and shortening the length of the illness. Talk to your doctor today to learn more.
Talk to your doctor to learn more, and to see which treatment option is right for you.