Cynthia Sheppard Solomon

Cynthia Sheppard Solomon, trained in medication therapeutic management, is a registered pharmacist, consultant and adjunct pharmacology and internal medicine faculty member at Wright State University's Boonshoft School of Medicine. As President of Sheppard-Solomon Biomedical, she provides her clients with health-related information, often speaking with groups, advocating for patients and families, and appearing on TV.

Articles by Cynthia Sheppard Solomon

• As pharmacists, we must remember to advocate for patients

  Friday, August 14, 2015

  Pharmacists are sometimes accused of "not coming out from behind the counter" while advocating for patients, not necessarily viewing all issues from the patient's perspective. Hopefully, what you are about to read will resonate new approaches for developing teamwork and improvement.

• Smokers can depend on tobacco dependence treatment

  Thursday, March 26, 2015

  Cigarette smoking continues to lead to premature death with almost a half-million smokers dying each year in the U.S. Tobacco use causes numerous preventable diseases, including cancer as well as cardiovascular and pulmonary illnesses. A recent Mayo Clinic Proceedings research study and editorial on "Helping Smokers Quit in the 'Real World,'" shows that smokers attempting to quit, using specialist clinics plus prescription medications, had more than 2.5 times the chance for successful abstinence versus unassisted quit attempts. And, using brief advice with prescription medications showed more than a 1.5 chance of successful abstinence compared with unassisted quitting.

• Traveling with chronic illnesses, especially diabetes

  Thursday, January 08, 2015

  Whether a patient has diabetes or some other chronic illness, being prepared can make a trip much more pleasant. For example, carrying a personal health record complete with lists of prescriptions, dietary supplements and other personal information can make a huge difference in how enjoyable a trip can be, should something surprising occur.

• Dextromethorphan abuse: A common choice for addicts of all ages

  Friday, July 25, 2014

  Available since the 1950s, dextromethorphan can be found in more than 140 different cough-and-cold remedies — both prescription and over the counter. When given for a cough at recommended low doses, usually it is free of serious side effects. But when the drug is taken in higher amounts, bizarre behavior, including hallucinations, is common.

• Pet poisonings: Marijuana, prescription drugs and herbal supplements

  Friday, May 23, 2014

  With more than 180,000 pet poisonings reported in 2013, attention directed to the causes can reduce heartache and suffering. Sadly, animals are ingesting people's medications, not always because they are prescribed.

• Improving daily health communication with patients

  Friday, March 07, 2014

  ​We do a lot of "live" activities in our daily encounters with patients — evaluating lab results, health screens, potential drug interactions. Afterward, we often speak with the patient to reinforce how he or she currently views expectations and possible side effects of prescribed medicines. Each of these activities provides a heightened level of safety to our patients. So are we doing a good job these days?

• Is the money spent each year on supplements creating benefits?

  Wednesday, February 12, 2014

  A recent study in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests not. In fact, the researchers question whether Americans are wasting money. There is actually significant evidence to advise against routine supplementation.