How reliable is drug side effect information? Learn about flaws in how the data are collected. The FDA & drug companies "miss" an awful lot!
Decongestant nasal sprays such as Afrin can lead to rebound congestion if they are overused. How can you overcome such nose spray dependence?
You could use herbal medicine to reduce anxiety and treat insomnia. Digestive upset is a downside to ashwagandha. So is withdrawal.
Millions of people take statins daily. Are there dangerous food and drug interactions? What about atorvastatin with grapefruit juice?
Tens of millions of people take antidepressant medications. What's shocking is that many of these drugs may also trigger thoughts of suicide.
Many remedies can help with the challenge of getting off omeprazole by easing the symptoms of rebound reflux.
Have you ever felt the need for a laxative? These medications are popular, but there are downsides to regular use.
Semaglutide can help people lose serious weight. But what happens to Wegovy weight loss when you stop using the drug? Will you regain pounds?
A doctor wrote to us to tell us his aunt was taking 25 different prescription drugs--way too many medicines! What happened when she cut back?
Many medications can cause hair thinning or actual hair loss. This distressing side effect is rarely mentioned.
When your pharmacist discusses your drugs with you, you may not learn all the relevant information. Here’s what pharmacists don't tell you.
The FDA has issued numerous warnings about drugs & cancer. Many either cause cancer in animal studies or are contaminated with carcinogens.
Not every home remedy we get is good or safe. Advice to use bleach on athlete's foot shouldn't be followed. But lots of people disagree. Why?
Prozac was first hailed as a miracle against depression. Later research suggested that antidepressants can trigger suicide. What Happened?
Milk thistle extract can lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It blocks the same enzyme as statins.
When people take lots of pills they may start experiencing drug-induced ills. Getting off the medication merry-go-round has a new name: deprescribing.
Are you fed up with prescription drug commercials? You have company. Doctors don't like them either. The AMA recommended a ban on drug ads!
Antihistamines can calm allergic reactions. But when some people stop cetirizine or levocetirizine, they may experience unbearable itching!
Blood pressure medicines are helpful but they often have side effects. What are the best ways to lower blood pressure naturally?
Xlear nasal spray can help clear pollen from nasal passage to ease allergy symptoms. Saline solution may also be useful against allergies.
One reader reports that apremilast (Otezla) works very well to control psoriasis. There are other options for people who can't afford Otezla.
Should the Food and Drug Administration be independent? If funding of FDA partly comes from the drug industry, is that a conflict of interest?
Do you think twice about taking your pills with food or beverages? Coffee and Cipro are NOT a good combination. Beware of other interactions.
One reader is delighted with the way Dupixent (dupilumab) controls symptoms of eczema. This injection is pricey, however, and also has side effects.
A study in Ireland shows that many older people experience adverse drug reactions from their prescriptions.
How are you coping with anxiety? Are you taking anti-anxiety drugs? A randomized trial shows that practicing mindfulness works just as well.
Serious lisinopril side effects can occur after many years. Doctors may miss the diagnosis if lisinopril and angioedema affect the abdomen.
Fed up with prescription drug ads? You're not alone! Doctors also despise the ads. Why not complain to the FDA? You can contact the top cop!
Shedding pounds fast has become a hot topic with new weight loss medicine liraglutide and semaglutide (Wegovy). What are the pros and cons?
Have you had trouble getting a good night's sleep? Who hasn't? That's why sleeping pills are so seductive. Stopping zolpidem can be tricky.
Did you think we were done with COVID? The highly transmissible subvariant dubbed the Kraken XBB.1.5 is spreading fast. How can you avoid it?
The FDA maintains that if it approves a medication, it is "SAFE and EFFECTIVE." Is that true? Have you lost faith in the FDA? If so, why?
Over the last few decades, nurses and pharmacists have changed their standard injection technique. Does that affect patient reactions?