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Helen Allen

Helen Allen

Pharmacist, Medical Author

Helen Allen qualified as a Pharmacist in 1979 and spent 3 years as the drug information leaflets' author for EMIS.

Helen has over twenty years' experience working in primary and secondary care pharmacies in the fields of acute medicine, elective surgery, care of the elderly, oncology, gynaecology, obstetrics, neonatology, paediatrics and toxicology.

She was previously one of a core team of pharmacists implementing and maintaining a decision support database for EMIS primary care systems.

Recently contributed to:

Ketotifen eye drops for hay fever
Medicines

Ketotifen eye drops relieve eye inflammation associated with hay fever. Use one drop in each eye twice a day. It is not recommended that you wear soft contact lenses while you are using the drops.

Asenapine tablets
Medicines

The usual dose is one tablet (5 mg or 10 mg), taken in the morning and evening. Place the tablet under your tongue and allow it dissolve there. Do not eat or drink for 10 minutes afterwards. The most common side-effects are drowsiness and anxiety. Keep your regular appointment with your doctor so your progress can be checked.

Dexibuprofen tablets for pain and inflammation
Medicines

Dexibuprofen is a medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is also known as 'an NSAID'. Before you take dexibuprofen, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other anti-inflammatory painkiller. It is usual to take either two or three tablets a day - your doctor will tell you which of these is right for you. Take the tablets with food.

Carbocisteine
Medicines

Carbocisteine helps to make it easier to cough up sputum. It works best when it is taken regularly. There are different liquid medicines available for adults and children. Be aware of the new 'double-strength' medicine for children, especially if you are used to giving the old 'low-strength' children's medicine. Measure the dose carefully using the oral syringe provided. Side-effects with carbocisteine occur only rarely.

Norethisterone contraceptive injection
Medicines

Norethisterone injection is given to prevent pregnancy. It provides contraception for about eight weeks. Read the manufacturer's information leaflet from the pack before having the injection. The most common side-effect is irregular menstrual bleeding.