over the counter | week four
The pharmacy is a medical honeycomb
I had a cold so I told the guy
Who was really a cat, who was really a mouse
My tank was running out of gasoline, he said:
Okay, and? I said: What goes in it? He said: Let me check
Contents in Beverage*:
Antihistamine diphenhydramine HCI
Decongestant phenylephrine
Carnauba wax
Croscarmellose Sodium NF
Hypromellose
Titanium Dioxide
Benadryl Symptoms Include:
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Impaired coordination
Headache
Epigastric discomfort
Dry mucous membranes
CNS stimulation, paradoxical
Euphoria
Ataxia
Hypotension
Blurred vision
Diplopia
Palpitations
Tachycardia
Photosensitivity
Diaphoresis
Anorexia
Increased risk of dementia
And, uh, slight chances of death
I did drink that, in which, I did not,
The pill, which was really a liquid,
Which was really a synonym, which was really,
I think, maybe, just a plant
Anyway, it made me use idioms, so I asked
The guy at the counter
What do you recommend for 10:30 P.M?
He said: Why? I said: I am running out
Of my supply of Non-Rapid Eye Movement
He said: read the back
I read the back, I can’t read
Contents in Beverage*:
Acetaminophen
Dextromethorphan
Doxylamine
Sorbitol
Propylene Glycol
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium Citrate
Alcohol
Symptoms are still inclusive, Including Nyquil:
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Upset Stomach
Headache
Nausea
Dry mouth
Blurred vision
Nervousness
Death
Then I got a headache so I just
Walked back up to the counter
I asked the grape, or strawberry,
Or cherry, or bubblegum flavor
To fix it, It did not work, which I’m thinking is because
it was really ibuprofen, which was really Midol
Which was really, unbelievably, Motrin
And not actually grape, strawberry, cherry,
Or bubblegum flavor, still the guy said:
Okay, no, you ate the plastic ones in the fruit bowl
I said: But I have a headache? He said: Sounds inconsequential
Contents in Capsule*:
Isobutylphenyl propionic acid
Acetylated monoglycerides
Colloidal silicon dioxide
Croscarmellose sodium
Methylparaben
Microcrystalline cellulose
Pharmaceutical glaze
Pharmaceutical ink
Povidone
Pregelatinized starch
Propylparaben
Stearic acid
Symptoms of Advil:
Weight gain
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
Skin rash
Swelling in the hands, face, hands, or feet
Hives
Itching
Hoarseness
Fatigue
Pale skin
Fast heartbeat
Stomach bleeding or ulcers
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Vomiting
Heart or kidney damage
Stomach pain
Again, extreme cases, death
*Please consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking. Do not take the medication if it makes previous health concerns worse, produces life-threatening symptoms, is denied by your healthcare professional, or if there is a history of misuse with you or a family member.