The joke tweet alerted people to the fact that some people aren't very knowledgeable about pill packaging.
X user @zachwell tweeted, “I started PrEP. Should large pills be taken at the beginning of the month or at the end of the month? ”
The photo showed him holding the small plastic cylinder that came in the PrEP bottle.
(screenshot)
The tweet received about 3,000 likes and hundreds of comments. What you are holding in the photo is a container containing desiccant. This absorbs moisture and maintains the quality of the tablet.
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. Whether it's Truvada, Descovy, or generic, it's a pill you take once a day to prevent HIV infection.
Thankfully, many people liked the joke and offered their own quips (“It's a suppository!”, “It's a free music shaker in every bottle”). .
However, surprisingly not everyone seems to know what it is.
“She had been eating desiccant for a year.”
One medical worker responded: “I once had a patient ask me where she could find her refill ‘super pill’…she had been eating desiccant for a year…”
(screenshot)
Pharmacy staff agreed. He reported that he had been asked this exact question in real life.
As someone who works in a pharmacy, this is an obvious question.
Others had little understanding that plastic widgets served a function.
One person said: “Okay, but real question: I always throw it out the first time I open it. Should I just leave it in the jar? It seems like a pain to shake it out every morning.”
Most desiccants contain silica gel or granules. It is reported to be harmless if swallowed. However, such desiccant products pose a choking hazard. It is also placed inside the bottle to maintain the longevity and quality of the tablet.
In short, it's better to keep it in. Even if it's annoying.
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