John O'Donnell's Pharmacy, Castlebar

John O'Donnell's Pharmacy, Castlebar John O' Donnell's Pharmacy was established over 30 years ago by John O' Donnell MPSI Call to John O'Donnell's Pharmacy for all your health and beauty needs.

We are stockists of La Roche Posay, Vichy, Aveeno and Roc skincare. We also offer a wide range of fragrances, ladies and gents toiletries at great prices. Here at John O'Donnell's Pharmacy, it is our priority to offer our customers better value and quality of service.

04/08/2026

KIN mouthwash is better than Corsodyl mouthwash. That’s it. 😂

For sensitive or bleeding gums, mouth ulcers and general irritation around the mouth, I always recommend KIN Gingival Complex.

It contains chlorhexidine - (the same as Corsodyl) to help control bacteria and plaque, BUT it also has allantoin and panthenol to help soothe and care for sensitive gums.

It costs a little more, but I think it’s the better all-round option.

Just remember, in general for short-term use, chlorhexidine can stain the teeth if it’s overused. If an ulcer keeps coming back or isn’t healing, get it checked rather than just repeatedly treating it yourself.

03/08/2026

Ever stand up too quickly and you start to get really dizzy for a few seconds? 😵‍💫

That sudden head rush can be caused by postural hypotension, basically, your blood pressure drops when you stand up.

It can be made worse by dehydration, not eating properly, illness or certain medications, including some blood-pressure tablets.

Usually its grand, but if it keeps happening, it’s worth getting checked, especially if it’s so bad that you’ve actually fainted or you’re at risk of falling.

Stand up slowly, sit or lie back down if you feel faint and make sure you’re drinking enough fluids / water.

And don’t stop your tablets or start changing what time you take them of your own accord.

Have a chat with your GP or pharmacist first, because sometimes a medication review or a simple adjustment can make a big difference.

02/08/2026

Itchy, bitchy, sleepy, sweaty, forgetful, bloated… and all dried up 😅

The seven dwarfs of menopause...

It sounds funny when you put it like that, but menopause and perimenopause can be absolutely miserable for some women.

Hot flushes, poor sleep, brain fog, mood changes, fatigue, vaginal dryness… and symptoms can start years before your periods actually stop.

HRT is probably the most effective treatment we have, but not everyone can take it and not everyone wants to.

Menoelle Plus is a non-hormonal supplement that has just come onto the market. It contains EstroG-100 and saffron, which have some very decent evidence behind them for things like hot flushes, tiredness, mood and sleep.

I’m not saying it’s going to transform everyone’s life, because supplements rarely do, but its defo worth a try if you’re looking for a non-hormonal option.

And if menopause symptoms are properly affecting your sleep, work or relationships, don’t just put up with them.

Talk to your GP or pharmacist because there are treatment options available.

25/07/2026

Meditation in a bottle? - Maybe not quite
Emotional balance - I think so!

This is one of the more interesting probiotics I’ve come across. After reading the studies, I take it myself and recommend it all the time.

Zenflore Calm contains the specific Bifidobacterium longum 1714™ strain, along with 30mg of saffron extract and vitamin B6.

Studies on the 1714 strain suggest it may help reduce the body’s response to stress and may support sleep quality. One study found reduced cortisol and anxiety during a stress test after four weeks of use. -I said two weeks in the video apologies.

Saffron has also some promising results for stress, low mood and sleep, although the research is still developing.

And purely from what I’m hearing in the pharmacy, quite a few patients genuinely feel that it helps them.

That isn’t the same as scientific proof, but the feedback has been surprisingly positive.

The recommended dose is one capsule daily. Please ignore the eejet in the video taking two.

24/07/2026

Most people take their levothyroxine every day… but loads of people don’t take it properly.

The biggest mistake? Taking it with breakfast or your morning coffee.

For the best absorption, take it first thing on an empty stomach with water, then ideally wait an hour before eating or having tea or coffee. If you can’t manage that, at least give it 30 minutes.

Also remember:
Keep calcium, iron and multivitamins at least 4 hours away from your levothyroxine.
Try to take it the same way every day. Consistency matters far more than chasing the “perfect” routine.

A lot of people think their thyroid tablets “aren’t working”, when in reality they’re just not getting absorbed properly.

As always, if you’re unsure about your medication, call into the pharmacy and we’ll happily go through it with you.

23/07/2026

I never would have thought a Nurofen patch would be any good. I never really rated ibuprofen for bad pain.

But for some reason this patch works stupidly well for my calf pain. When oral painkillers don’t seem to do anything.

I use a bandage to keep it on my calf so it doesn’t fall off. It gives me relief for 12 hours.

It’s not cheap but it works. Can be used for any sort of pain, muscular etc, but I’d recommend tape or a bandage to keep it on if it’s not going on a flat surface (like your back).

They come in a 2 pack and a 4 pack and the packaging looks nearly the exact same, so make sure you’re grab the right one from the shelf as they often get mixed up.

Ask us in store if you’re not sure.

20/07/2026

If your HRT patch keeps peeling off, this is the fix.

A clear Tegaderm film over the top keeps it in place through showers and sweat. The patch works away as normal underneath.

Ignore the size of the one I’m using. I’m an eejet and ordered the wrong size... Same technique applies either way.

Drop in if your patches won’t stay put, we’ll get you the right size.

16/07/2026

Berberine is not nature’s Ozempic.

TikTok has decided a supplement is the same as a prescription weight loss injection.

It’s not even close.

The studies on berberine show modest effects on blood sugar, and the weight loss data is weak. A few pounds over a few months at best, nothing like what you see with Mounjaro, Ozempic or Wegovy.

What TikTok won’t tell you: it causes stomach cramps, constipation and diarrhoea in a lot of people. Same as the injections, in fairness.

It also interacts with loads of medications, including blood thinners, diabetes meds and blood pressure tablets. If you’re on anything at all, check with us before you touch it.

Now if you’re looking for something that’s a lot cheaper than the injections and something “natural” then by all means give it a shot, or not (pun intended). But don’t be expecting miracles.

John O’Donnell’s Pharmacy, your local pharmacy. Follow for more.

16/07/2026

Stop blowing your nose into oblivion! Seriously.

A blocked nose is not always full of mucus or snot!
Most of the time it’s inflammation in the sinuses, so blowing harder does nothing except irritate the lining and risk a nosebleed.

Watched a friend of mine blow her nose into oblivion last week. Wouldn’t stop. Wrecked my head 😂 This video is for her..

There’s a new spray on the shelf called Sudafed Plus. It’s a decongestant the same as the other nasal sprays but has dexpanthenol added, which soothes the inside of the nose instead of drying it out like older sprays can. Short term use only, and you’ll be flying it.

Ask us in store if you’re not sure it’s right for you.

John O’Donnell’s Pharmacy, your local pharmacy.
Follow for more.

Address

Ellison Street
Castlebar

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+353949024524

Website

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