Case Study

L.L. is a 67-year-old male who has been diagnosed with BPH. He is having difficulty with urination. He is currently on Cozaar 100 mg for HTN and his BP is well controlled. He is taking no other medications. The doctor has recommended medication for his BPH, but he would like to try a herbal supplement before taking a prescription medication.

1. Would you recommend a herbal supplement in L.L’s case?

2. If so, what herbal supplement would he take?

3. What is the recommended dosage?

4. What are possible side effects of the herbal supplement?

5. What warnings should you give L.L. before he starts the herbal supplement.

Question One

For LLs case, I would recommend an herbal supplement because it will help relieve the BPH symptoms. Some ideal supplements are cernilton, saw palmetto, and pygeum (Roydhouse et al., 2020, p.12). The supplement may not treat the condition. However, they will make it manageable if so, what herbal supplement would he take?

Question Two

The symptoms of prostate cancer are painful, and most patients may have challenges enduring the symptoms (Taille et al., 2019, p.451). One of the major symptoms is trouble urinating.  The nest herb for the patient, in this case, is, For instance, Beta-sitosterol, which helps empty the bladder, ensures the patient has a stronger flow of urine, and that will improve BPH.

Question Three

There is no specific universal guideline that directs the appropriate most use of beta-sitosterol supplements. All the supplements are always available in capsule tablets. Sometimes they are available in soft gel forms, in dosages that range from 60 to 800mg. Because of LLs age, the best dosage would be 800mg per day (Roydhouse et al., 2020, p.13). The dosage could be divided into three. All dosages are taken after meals. Since the dosage is above 130mg, it is good enough to promote urination. The supplement is available in natural food stores that specialize in dietary supplements.

Question Four

The drug is considered safe when it is used within the right dosages. The patient should use the dosage for six months. One of the side effects of the medicine is indigestion. Nausea. Bloating, constipation, and diarrhea (Taille et al., 2019, p.452). The supplement is not suitable for individuals who have a rare disorder of the genes called sitosterolemia. Such is because the medicine will cause abnormal accumulation of fats within the blood. As a result, it may increase the patient’s risk of getting a heart attack.

It is also essential that ll checks his cholesterol levels before using the supplement. If his cholesterol levels are high, it is much safer to avoid other medicines that may react badly with the supplements to reduce their effectiveness. Should the patient realize that they cannot manage their cholesterol levels, they may adopt interventions such as exercise and diet.

Question Five

One major precaution I will give LL is to ensure all the supplementary taken as directed by the healthcare provider. It is essential to follow all the instructions on the package and the doctor's instructions (Lee et al., (2021, p.1828). It is also vital to have a list of all supplements and other medicines used by the patient. Also, LL should have a checklist of the impacts of the supplements on his health. Such a list will ensure the tracking of any major side effects from the drug.

Another caution is that LL should maintain a healthy lifestyle. One effective way of achieving such is to have a balanced diet. Taking the supplements will relieve the patient of symptoms, but they will never substitute a good diet. It is also essential to exercise. Physical activities help control weight and reduce an individual's appetite (Taille et al., 2019, p.453). It also promotes blood circulation. Also, LL should have a regular sleeping pattern. Sleep ensures relaxation of the mind and relieves one of any stressors. A regular sleep pattern in addition to supplements will provide the speedy recovery of the patient. The last precaution is that the patient should have a defined supplier. Having a known supplier ensures that the patient will never run out of supplements if they are out of stock.

Outline

Pharm case study 1

1. Herbal supplement recommendations

1. Cernilton
2. Pygeum

2. Symptoms of prostate cancer

1. Urination complication

3. Universal guideline

1. Beta-sitosterol supplements

4. Side-effects of the drug

1. Indigestion
2. Bloating
3. Constipation

5. Precautions

1. Accurate prescription
2. Healthy lifestyle
3. Defined supplement supplier 

6. References