Elvie Pharmacy

14/03/2026

When medicine heals… but misuse harms.

This elderly patient came to me with severe, infected psoriasis after years of unsupervised topical steroid use. What started as a treatable skin condition slowly worsened because the medication was used without proper guidance and follow-up.

He was referred by an Internal Medicine colleague from the hospital when the disease had already progressed significantly. By that time, his skin was already fragile, infected, and deeply affected.

Sadly, this is not an isolated case. I encounter patients like this almost every day — individuals who unintentionally worsen their skin conditions because of the misuse of topical steroids.

Why does this happen?

1️⃣ Dramatic early results.
Topical steroids can quickly calm inflammation. Because patients see rapid improvement, many assume it is safe to reuse anytime they see a similar rash.
2️⃣ Missed follow-ups.
Some patients do not return after the recommended follow-up visit, continuing the medication far longer than intended.
3️⃣ Copying prescriptions.
Relatives or friends recommend steroid creams because they “worked for them,” without understanding that every skin disease is different.
4️⃣ Easy access without prescription.
Even reputable drugstores sometimes dispense topical steroids without proper prescriptions, making misuse more common.

⚠️ Topical steroids are powerful medications.

They are not daily skin creams, and they should never be used as a self-treatment without proper medical guidance.
Used correctly, they can be life-changing.
Used improperly, they can turn manageable skin diseases into severe, complicated conditions.

As dermatologists, our goal is not just to treat skin diseases — but to guide patients safely through their treatment.

If you have a persistent skin problem, seek professional evaluation and follow-up.

Your skin deserves expert care.

DermatologistAdvice PatientEducation

04/03/2026

03/03/2026

“Sabi kasi nang kapitbahay namin”

Last week I saw a patient that was admitted with a leg wound and a fever that had been worsening for weeks. She had diabetes and had already tried multiple antibiotics at home. Her daughter brought a pouch of mixed tablets: leftovers from an old prescription, a few from a neighbor, and one bought from pharmacies that wrongfully dispense antibiotics without a need for prescriptions, because it has been the practice of her family for years.

“Para daw mabilis gumaling sabi kasi nang kapitbahay namin.”

Cultures eventually came back showing MRSA, resistant to almost everything, her wound was not getting better.

Her daughter asked, “Doc, meron pa po bang mas malakas antibiotic ang kailangan?”

I explained that the remaining options were effective, but they were medicines usually reserved for severe, resistant infections, and they came with a cost most families aren’t prepared for.

As to which the patient replied,

“Sana pala nagpa-check up na lang kami agad.”

No blaming. No drama. Just a reminder that Antibiotic resisrance is real and a reminder of how easily things can escalate when antibiotics are used without proper guidance.

22/01/2026

This is your reminder to drink water for your glow, inside and out! 😉✨

17/01/2026

May mga warning signs na pwedeng related sa kakulangan ng vitamins/supplements sa katawan. Alamin kung kelan mo kailangan ng supplements, alin ang puwedeng optional lang, at ano ang maaaring mangyari kapag mali ang paraan ng pag-inom mo.

12/01/2026

Gamot sa Uric Acid

04/12/2025

⚠️ IMPORTANT REMINDER ⚠️
‼️Maging mapanuri sa mga gamot at bakuna na binebenta online o ng hindi awtorisadong pasilidad‼️

Dahil sa pagdami ng mga binebentang pekeng gamot at iba pang produktong medikal sa merkado, nagpaalala ang DOH na maging mapanuri at huwag bilhin kung:

❌May mali sa label o spelling at kakaiba ang itsura ng packaging
❌Kulang ang FDA batch/ lot number, manufacturing at expiration date
❌Kakaiba ang itsura ng gamot tulad ng hugis, amoy, o lasa
❌Walang bisa
❌Walang lisensya ang seller o ang pasilidad para magbenta

I-report agad sa FDA kung may mapansing kahina-hinalang gamot o bakuna: [email protected] o (02) 8809-5596.

‼️DOH: Maging mapanuri sa mga gamot at bakuna na binebenta online o ng hindi awtorisadong pasilidad‼️

Dahil sa pagdami ng mga binebentang pekeng gamot at iba pang produktong medikal sa merkado, nagpaalala ang DOH na maging mapanuri at huwag bilhin kung:

❌May mali sa label o spelling at kakaiba ang itsura ng packaging
❌Kulang ang FDA batch/ lot number, manufacturing at expiration date
❌Kakaiba ang itsura ng gamot tulad ng hugis, amoy, o lasa
❌Walang bisa
❌Walang lisensya ang seller o ang pasilidad para magbenta

I-report agad sa FDA kung may mapansing kahina-hinalang gamot o bakuna: [email protected] o (02) 8809-5596.

25/11/2025

Antibiotics do not treat viral infections such as colds and flu 🤧.

Always seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before taking antibiotics.

( )

20/11/2025

🚨 Misusing antibiotics can affect everyone.
( ) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to medicines. Drug-resistant bacteria can spread and make infections harder to treat.
Let’s handle antibiotics with care and protect our communities!

🚨 Misusing antibiotics can affect everyone.

( ) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to medicines. Drug-resistant bacteria can spread and make infections harder to treat.

Let’s handle antibiotics with care and protect our communities!

06/11/2025

Long-Term Melatonin Use Linked to Heart Failure Risk

Preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025 suggests that long-term use (a year or more) of the sleep supplement melatonin may have negative effects on heart health. The study focused on adults with chronic insomnia.

Increased Risks Observed
The analysis of electronic health records found that chronic insomnia patients using melatonin long-term had a 90% higher chance of an incident heart failure diagnosis over five years compared to matched non-users (4.6% vs. 2.7%).

Additionally, those taking melatonin were nearly 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure and nearly twice as likely to die from any cause during the five-year period. Researchers emphasize the need for caution, as long-term cardiovascular safety data for the widely available over-the-counter supplement are currently lacking.