EXPERT
Mercedez Flanagan PhD
Pharmacist
Dr. Mercedez Flanagan is a pharmacist in Alma, AR, Ozark, AR, and Van Buren, AR. She offers genetic testing, medication therapy management, and tobacco cessation consultations. Dr. Flanagan is also the pharmacist manager at Ozark Walmart. She looks to fill the gap between physician offices and pharmacists to help patients get the complete healthcare they need and deserve. She became a pharmacist because of her love of helping others and wanting to aid in healthcare. Dr. Flanagan's grandparents needed help with their medications and speaking to their doctors. After accompanying them to their doctors appointments, she discovered her love of acting as a wellness advocate. Upon becoming a pharmacist, she worked in retail pharmacy for two years and discovered there is a gap in physicians' offices and pharmacies. She started her own business to try to aid in closing that gap to get patients more complete healthcare.
Mercedez Flanagan PHD
- Van Buren, Arkansas
- Accepting new patients
Mental Health
There is so much attention going to mental health now. It used to be a taboo thing. You were looked at strangely if you even mentioned someone having mental problems, much less...
Genetic Testing
Everyone has heard of genetic testing, most likely those of Ancestry DNA or 23 You and Me. They are direct to consumer genetic testing kits to show you who your ancestors are...
Your Pharmacist Is Your Wellness Advocate
Pharmacists. Most people hear this word and think they are responsible for filling the prescription your doctor gave you, handing you the pills, and sending you on your way....
Is it okay to take Ibuprofen/Tylenol while using neomycin and polymyxin b sulfates and hydrocortisone otic solution?
It is fine to use these medications in combination. They are two separate dosage forms, they will not mix.
Are allergy medications safe during pregnancy?
Allergy medications such as Zyrtec and Claritin are fine to take. There are some suggestions that medications such as Benadryl are not ok because they can dry you out, however, READ MORE
Allergy medications such as Zyrtec and Claritin are fine to take. There are some suggestions that medications such as Benadryl are not ok because they can dry you out, however, it is under the discretion of the OB/GYN to decide if they are safe or not. There are new studies and information coming out about the first generation antihistamines.
Are there anticholinergic drug interactions?
If you take anticholinergic medications while you are on cholinergic medications, they will cancel out. The anticholinergic will work against the cholinergic medication. There READ MORE
If you take anticholinergic medications while you are on cholinergic medications, they will cancel out. The anticholinergic will work against the cholinergic medication. There are no interactions with the other medications you asked about.
Supplement “DIM”?
There shouldn't be any issues. However, everyone responds differently to medications. It also depends on which medication you are taking and what exactly is in the supplement you READ MORE
There shouldn't be any issues. However, everyone responds differently to medications. It also depends on which medication you are taking and what exactly is in the supplement you choose. Always ask your pharmacist as they know more about the specifics of your medications and make sure to track any symptoms you may be having.
Is it safe to drink alcohol after being off of painkillers for a week?
A week is sufficient time to be off of pain medications before drinking alcohol. It is never recommended to mix the two, however, as long as at least three days have passed since READ MORE
A week is sufficient time to be off of pain medications before drinking alcohol. It is never recommended to mix the two, however, as long as at least three days have passed since last taking a pain medication, there should be no issues.
Can you mix two medications and what to do if already mixed?
You should not take an extra antihistamine pill with the Advil cold and Sinus pill. If the Allegra had a decongestant in it, then you doubled on that medication as well. You need READ MORE
You should not take an extra antihistamine pill with the Advil cold and Sinus pill. If the Allegra had a decongestant in it, then you doubled on that medication as well. You need to drink extra water, as the antihistamine tablets can dry you out, as well as the decongestant.
What would happen if I decided to do a small dose injection of Keytruda?
With any injection you could get a reaction at the injection site including rash, redness, puffiness. However, it should go away after a day or two. Other than that, you should READ MORE
With any injection you could get a reaction at the injection site including rash, redness, puffiness. However, it should go away after a day or two. Other than that, you should watch for your body retaining water (swelling), unexplained itchiness and rash, diarrhea, appetite changes, bladder infections. All of the side effects are very low risk, however, if you notice any, call your physician.
Is 30mg of Lexapro daily too much for a 15 year old?
For children, the max dose is normally 20mg. However, if the physician tried the doses and tapered them up as requested and the 15-year-old did not respond well until 30mg, then READ MORE
For children, the max dose is normally 20mg. However, if the physician tried the doses and tapered them up as requested and the 15-year-old did not respond well until 30mg, then it is an acceptable dose. Just watch for any negative changes in behavior and side effects. If you are uncomfortable with the dose, you can spread with the physician and have them tell you why they chose that dose to ease your concerns.
Mercedez Flanagan, Pharm.D.
Mercedez Flanagan, Pharm.D.
How do manage a relationship with someone who has bipolar disorder?
Most often, lamotrigine is used for bipolar disorder and is shown to improve symptoms dramatically. However, everyone is different and responds differently to medications.
Drug interaction?
Tylenol is the only over the counter medication that is safe with blood thinner medications. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil), Aleve, aspirin, etc. are not considered safe with READ MORE
Tylenol is the only over the counter medication that is safe with blood thinner medications. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil), Aleve, aspirin, etc. are not considered safe with blood thinners.
Medicine Clashing?
Melatonin is a safe supplement to take for sleep. It is the natural chemical in your body to help you sleep, so adding it in supplemental form will have no harm on your body with READ MORE
Melatonin is a safe supplement to take for sleep. It is the natural chemical in your body to help you sleep, so adding it in supplemental form will have no harm on your body with the other medications you are taking.
What are the long term side effects of taking one Benadryl tablet every morning?
I don't believe there are any long term side effects they are aware of. However, it can cause drowsiness and dizziness and increase your risk of falls.
Is lithium safe for people with bipolar disorder?
Yes. Lithium is often used to treat bipolar disorder.
Elective Surgery- Anesthesia and Adderall?
Adderall is a stimulant and stays in your system for quite a while, especially if it is the XR formulation. The reason they want you to quit is to make sure your body is completely READ MORE
Adderall is a stimulant and stays in your system for quite a while, especially if it is the XR formulation. The reason they want you to quit is to make sure your body is completely rid of it so that it doesn't work against the anesthesia and give you the risk of waking up during surgery.
Cam I operate machinery on my medication?
The mirtazapine and pregabalin both have the risk of causing drowsiness and altered mental function. If you know that the medications don't cause any problems for you and don't READ MORE
The mirtazapine and pregabalin both have the risk of causing drowsiness and altered mental function. If you know that the medications don't cause any problems for you and don't cause you to be drowsy, then it should be ok to operate a forklift at work.
Intermitting fasting and medicine better taken with food?
If your medication is one that you could take at your first meal, then switch to taking it whenever you eat your first full meal. Without knowing what the medication is, I'm not READ MORE
If your medication is one that you could take at your first meal, then switch to taking it whenever you eat your first full meal. Without knowing what the medication is, I'm not able to fully answer your question.
Can anxiety medication cause hallucinations?
Most anxiety medications do not cause hallucinations. Doctors may use different classes of medications to help with anxiety depending no how severe your symptoms are. However, READ MORE
Most anxiety medications do not cause hallucinations. Doctors may use different classes of medications to help with anxiety depending no how severe your symptoms are. However, there are only a few that could possible cause hallucinations.
Progestin affect amitriptyline?
There are no drug interactions between the two medications.
What is the best painkiller for foot pain?
If the foot pain is in your joints, I would recommend either Tylenol or Aleve.
Do type 2 diabetics take insulin shots?
Type 2 Diabetics do take insulin shots. However, it is not the first thing prescribed to newly diagnosed patients. It can be prevented with diet and exercise as well as medications READ MORE
Type 2 Diabetics do take insulin shots. However, it is not the first thing prescribed to newly diagnosed patients. It can be prevented with diet and exercise as well as medications taken by mouth. If you take your treatment seriously, you can reverse the diagnosis and avoid taking insulin shots.
