Janie Ellington

I want to share with everyone a great resource. Janie Ellington is a pharmacist that runs the blog, Let’s Talk About Medications. I frequently see questions related to medications, but medications are not my specialty, which is why I’m sharing this resource with you. I’ve posted a recent interview with Janie below.

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1. What is your current position?

I am a registered pharmacist. I manage an in-house pharmacy for a nonprofit pediatric clinic for children of low-income families who do not have health insurance. We are only open weekday mornings. During the cold and flu season, our patient load requires that we stay into the afternoon a bit, but I still have some time for other pursuits. That’s where my article writing and blogging comes in.

2. What do you hope to accomplish with your writing?

Over my career as a pharmacist, I have come across so many misconceptions with regard to medications and general health concerns and I have wished I had an opportunity to clarify some of those issues for the public on a wider scale than just the one-on-one that I get when I counsel when dispensing a new medication. I enjoy helping people who want to take more responsibility for their health and to understand how to use medications safely.

3. What services can you offer to someone struggling to be heart healthy?

My best advice to people who are struggling with any health concern is to educate themselves as much as they can. I have found that people who fail to take responsibility, by learning about issues concerning their health, often have worse outcomes overall. I would encourage people to participate fully in their own care.

My interests in health in general are not limited to prescription drugs. I also enjoy studying and writing about the benefits of natural approaches.

4. Are you able to benefit individuals struggling with weight loss?

Weight loss medications are a decision between you and your doctor, based on your individual health history and goals. When they’re prescribed, they typically work alongside the nutrition and lifestyle changes that support long term health, not instead of them. Your doctor and pharmacist are the best resources for understanding whether a specific medication is right for you.

5. Do you have a forum where questions can be submitted?

Yes, I would especially enjoy answering questions about health issues that I have written about in my blog. I can only answer specific questions based on what is known about the drug you are taking. Without access to your health information, I cannot effectively answer questions specific to your treatment.

6. What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed with high cholesterol or blood pressure?

Everyone’s health picture is different, so the best step after a new diagnosis is an open conversation with your doctor about your treatment plan, which may include lifestyle changes, medication, or both. Nutrition, exercise, stress management, and other lifestyle factors can meaningfully support cholesterol and blood pressure management, and they work well alongside medication when it’s prescribed. If your doctor does prescribe medication, understanding it well is one of the best things you can do. Know the common side effects, know which ones warrant a call to your doctor, and report anything concerning. Sometimes a different medication in the same class won’t cause the same reaction, since everyone responds differently.

I hope you’ve found this information useful and visit Janie’s blog to learn more.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD