The People's Perspective on Medicine
Is Drug Side Effect Information Trustworthy?
How reliable is drug side effect information? Learn about flaws in how the data are collected. The FDA & drug companies "miss" an awful lot!
How to Beat Nose Spray Dependence One Nostril at a Time
Decongestant nasal sprays such as Afrin can lead to rebound congestion if they are overused. How can you overcome such nose spray dependence?
Is There a Downside to Ashwagandha?
You could use herbal medicine to reduce anxiety and treat insomnia. Digestive upset is a downside to ashwagandha. So is withdrawal.
Is it Risky to Take Atorvastatin with Grapefruit Juice?
Millions of people take statins daily. Are there dangerous food and drug interactions? What about atorvastatin with grapefruit juice?
Antidepressants and Thoughts of Suicide – Were You Warned?
Tens of millions of people take antidepressant medications. What's shocking is that many of these drugs may also trigger thoughts of suicide.
Getting Off Omeprazole Can Be Challenging!
Many remedies can help with the challenge of getting off omeprazole by easing the symptoms of rebound reflux.
How Can You Get Off the Laxative Merry-Go-Round?
Have you ever felt the need for a laxative? These medications are popular, but there are downsides to regular use.
Will Ozempic or Wegovy Weight Loss Last?
Semaglutide can help people lose serious weight. But what happens to Wegovy weight loss when you stop using the drug? Will you regain pounds?
Is a Loved One Taking Too Many Medicines?
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?
Is There Any Natural Way to Stop Hair Thinning?
Many medications can cause hair thinning or actual hair loss. This distressing side effect is rarely mentioned.
What Pharmacists Don’t Tell You
When your pharmacist discusses your drugs with you, you may not learn all the relevant information. Here’s what pharmacists don't tell you.
FDA Stance on Drugs & Cancer Is Confusing
The FDA has issued numerous warnings about drugs & cancer. Many either cause cancer in animal studies or are contaminated with carcinogens.
Warning–Don’t Use Bleach to Treat Athlete’s Foot
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?
Doctors Still Doubt Antidepressants Can Trigger Suicide
Prozac was first hailed as a miracle against depression. Later research suggested that antidepressants can trigger suicide. What Happened?
Will You Lower Your Cholesterol With Milk Thistle?
Milk thistle extract can lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It blocks the same enzyme as statins.
Deprescribing: Can You Ever Stop Taking So Many Pills?
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.
Why Top Doctors Prescribe a Ban on Drug Ads
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!
Unbearable Itching After Stopping Antihistamines Like Xyzal or Zyrtec
Antihistamines can calm allergic reactions. But when some people stop cetirizine or levocetirizine, they may experience unbearable itching!
How Can You Lower Blood Pressure Naturally?
Blood pressure medicines are helpful but they often have side effects. What are the best ways to lower blood pressure naturally?
Can You Overcome Allergies with Xlear?
Xlear nasal spray can help clear pollen from nasal passage to ease allergy symptoms. Saline solution may also be useful against allergies.
What Can You Use for Psoriasis If You Can’t Afford Otezla?
One reader reports that apremilast (Otezla) works very well to control psoriasis. There are other options for people who can't afford Otezla.
Does Funding of FDA with User Fees Damage Objectivity?
Should the Food and Drug Administration be independent? If funding of FDA partly comes from the drug industry, is that a conflict of interest?
Beware Coffee and Cipro and Other Drug Interactions!
Do you think twice about taking your pills with food or beverages? Coffee and Cipro are NOT a good combination. Beware of other interactions.
Is Dupixent a Super Solution for Bad Eczema?
One reader is delighted with the way Dupixent (dupilumab) controls symptoms of eczema. This injection is pricey, however, and also has side effects.
Are Older Patients More Likely to Suffer Adverse Drug Reactions?
A study in Ireland shows that many older people experience adverse drug reactions from their prescriptions.
Coping with Anxiety During Really Stressful Times
How are you coping with anxiety? Are you taking anti-anxiety drugs? A randomized trial shows that practicing mindfulness works just as well.
Lisinopril and Angioedema: A Life-Threatening Side Effect
Serious lisinopril side effects can occur after many years. Doctors may miss the diagnosis if lisinopril and angioedema affect the abdomen.
Are You Fed Up with Prescription Drug Ads?
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!
How Well Does the New Weight Loss Medicine Work?
Shedding pounds fast has become a hot topic with new weight loss medicine liraglutide and semaglutide (Wegovy). What are the pros and cons?
Stopping Zolpidem (Ambien) for Insomnia Can Be Challenging
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.
Will the Kraken XBB.1.5 COVID Subvariant Get You?
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?
Why Have I Lost Faith in the FDA?
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?
Does Injection Technique Lead to Bruising from Immunization?
Over the last few decades, nurses and pharmacists have changed their standard injection technique. Does that affect patient reactions?