Anemia is usually defined as a decrease in number of red blood cells (RBC’s) or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. Because hemoglobin normally carries oxygen from the lungs to the body, anemia leads to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) in organs. Since all human cells depend on oxygen for survival, varying degrees of anemia can cause a wide range of clinical problems.

Anemia is the most common disorder of the blood. There are several kinds of anemia produced by a variety of underlying causes. The three main classes include excessive blood loss, excessive blood cell destruction (hemolysis) or decreased red blood cell production.

At Prescription Specialties, our team of medical professionals help patients manage their disease to live active, productive and fulfilling lives. We offer a full line of Anemia medications including:

• Aransep
• Epogen
• Procrit

Crohn’s Disease is an auto-immune disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. The body’s immune system reacts abnormally to food and bacteria, therefore causing white blood cells to accumulate in the lining of the intestines causing inflammation, abdominal pain and diarrhea. It can affect any area of the digestive tract, but is most commonly seen in the lower part of the small intestines.

Crohn’s can be a very difficult disease to treat. There are several types of therapies used, including surgery, nutritional supplements, oral medications and biologics. At Reliant Healthcare, our team of clinical specialists helps patients manage their disease and live active, fulfilling and productive lives. We offer a full line of Crohn’s biologic medications including:

• Cimzia
• Humira

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease causing thick, sticky mucus to form in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, this mucus blocks the airways, damaging the lungs and making it hard to breathe. In the pancreas, it clogs the pathways leading to the digestive system, making proper digestion difficult.

Generally, people with CF have a shorter-than-normal life expectancy. But, as treatments for CF improve, the life expectancy for people with the disease is rising. Fifty years ago, children with CF often died before attending elementary school. Currently many people with the disease live into their 30s, 40s and beyond. Early treatment for CF is key to improving your quality of life and your lifespan.

Today, almost 45 percent of the cystic fibrosis population is aged 18 years or older. As people with CF live longer, they are more likely to develop middle-aged health issues, such as CF-related diabetes, osteoporosis and infertility in men.

A person with CF is always at risk of lung infections. Ways to lessen the risk include:

• Frequent hand washing with soap and water or hand gel
• Avoid unnecessary contact with people who have a cold or other contagious illness
• Get a flu shot every year
• Don’t smoke and stay away from secondhand smoke

Talk to your doctor about your diet. Children and adults with CF may need a high-calorie, high-fat diet to make up for the improper absorption of nutrients caused by the disease. You also may need pancreatic enzyme supplements, and vitamin and mineral supplements.  We offer a full line of CF medications including:

• Creon
• Zenpep
• Tobramycin

RESOURCES FOR CF PATIENTS

Cystic Fibrosis in Diverse Communities

• Cystic Fibrosis chapter from Lung Disease Data 2008
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• March of Dimes
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C (HCV) is one of the leading causes of liver disease among Americans and is the most common blood borne infection with more than 4 million people infected in the U.S. Along with this unfortunate diagnosis, there are many health challenges and complex issues patients must face when dealing with treatments for HCV.

We offer a full line of hepatitis medications including:

• Interferons
• Peg – Interferons
• Ribavirin
• Pegasys
• Supportive Medications

Managing the side effects, pill burden and dosing schedule associated with HIV / AIDS treatment can be very challenging. Allow the staff at Reliant Healthcare to take some of the time-consuming tasks of disease and medication management off your hands.

Our Pharmacy Specialists will work hand in hand with your physician, medical case manager, or other healthcare provider to support your treatment goals and help ensure you receive the very best results from your individualized treatment protocol.

GOCARE
1801 North 7th Street, Suite A
West Monroe, LA 71291
318-325-1092

SLAC

CLASS
904 13th Street
Alexandria, LA 71301
318-442-1010

ACADIANA CARES

NO AIDS TASK FORCE

HAART

PHILADELPHIA CENTER

LA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH – ADAP / HIP
DELTA REGION AIDS EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTER

Hyperparathyroidism is over activity of the parathyroid glands resulting in excess production of parathyroid hormone (PTH). The parathyroid hormone regulates calcium and phosphate levels and helps to maintain these levels. Excessive PTH secretion may be due to problems in the glands themselves, primary hyperparathyroidism, which leads to hypercalcaemia (raised calcium levels). It may also occur in response to low calcium levels caused by various situations such as vitamin D defiency or chronic kidney disease, secondary hyperparathyroidism. In all cases, the raised PTH levels are harmful to bone and treatment is often needed.

At Prescription Specialties, we offer a full line of specialty medications for specific diseases. Medications for hyperparathyroidism:

Sensipar

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. It affects the central nervous system by disrupting the signals throughout the nervous system, which in turn causes muscle control, vision, balance and sensation failure. Approximately 400,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, with most patients diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40.

We offer a full line of MS medications including:

• Avonex
• Betaseron
• Copaxone
• Rebif

RX Specialties is focused on the unique needs of cancer patients and their individualized treatment protocols. We have clinical expertise in Oncology and understand the difficulties patients may face in dealing with their therapy.

We offer a full line of Oncology medications including:

• Myleran
• Sprycel
• Alkeran
• Sutent
• Cytoxan
• Tarceva
• Leucovorin
• Temodar
• Etoposide
• Thalomid
• Emcyt
• Xeloda
• Methotrexate
• Prednisone
• Dexamethasone
• Ondansetron
• Aloxi
• Anzemet
• Emend
• Kytril
• Procrit
• Hepsera
• Neupogen
• Neulasta
• Epogen
• Aranesp
• Gleevec

Oncology Links

Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease that is characterized by a decrease in bone mass and density and leads to an increased risk of fracture. The form of osteoporosis most common in women after menopause is referred to as Primary Type 1 or Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. Primary Type 2 Osteoporosis or Senile Osteoporosis occurs after age 75 and is seen in both females and males at a ratio of 2:1. Secondary osteoporosis may arise at any age and affect men and women equally. This form results from chronic predisposing medical problems or disease, or prolonged use of medications.

At Prescription Specialties, our team of medical professionals help patients manage their disease to live active, productive and fulfilling lives. We offer a full line of osteoporosis medications including:

• Forteo
• Prolia

If a child has complaints of pain in the musculoskeletal system (joints, bones muscles or tendons) or other symptoms of arthritis, they may be experiencing childhood rheumatic disorders.

At Prescription Specialties, our team of medical professionals help patients manage their disease to live active, fulfilling and productive lives. We offer a full line of Pediatric Rheumatology medications including:

• Enbrel
• Humira
• Kineret
• Simponi
• Cimzias

Psoriasis is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects 7.5 million American across the country. It is a persistent disease that is usually long term and very difficult to treat. There are several types of psoriasis and also varying degrees of the disease. The challenges of the disease and the biologics used to treat them can be difficult to face.

We offer a full line of psoriasis biologic medications including:

• Enbrel
• Humira
• Simponi
• Stelara

Pulmonary hypertension is an increase in the pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein or pulmonary capillaries, leading to shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, leg swelling and other symptoms. Pulmonary hypertension can be a severe disease with markedly decreased exercise tolerance and heart failure.

Because symptoms may develop very gradually, patients may delay seeing a physician for years. Common symptoms are shortness of breath, fatigue, non-productive cough, chest pain, fainting, peripheral edema (swelling around the ankles and feet) and rarely hemoptysis (coughing up blood).

At Prescription Specialties, our team of medical professionals help patients manage their disease to live active, fulfilling and productive lives. We offer a full line of medications for Pulmonary Hypertension including:

• Revatio
• Adcirca

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that attacks the lining of your joints. As an inflammatory disease, it can cause pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function. RA occurs when white blood cells move from the blood stream into the area surrounding the joint. Proteins are then released due to the inflammation and can do irreversible damage to a patient’s joints.

We offer a full line of RA medications including:

• Cimzia
• Enbrel
• Humira
• Simponi
• Forteo