Drug Information
TRAMADOL Is a Pain Reliever that Brings Relief o…
We rarely observe a medication that has such staunch supporters — or bitter critics — as tramadol. This is truly a love-hate pharmaceutical relationship! As you will shortly read, tramadol is a pa…
Ibuprofen and High Blood Pressure: A Dangerous R…
Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been increasing for several years (Open Heart, April 28, 2017). We're talking about drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Such pain relievers are …
Show 1448: How to Stop Suffering with Sinusitis
If you have ever suffered with sinusitis, you know how terrible it can make you feel. Breathing is difficult; smelling and tasting anything is impossible. What are the causes of sinusitis and what can…
The Post-Opioid Pain Problem: Gabapentin and Tra…
Americans are suffering! That's because 60 million people—nearly 1 out of 4—must deal with chronic pain. One of the country's leading pain experts, Sean Mackey, MD, PhD, goes even farther. He esti…
Do Treatments for Knee Arthritis Do More Harm Th…
Steroid shots and arthroscopic surgery have been mainstays in the treatment of pain and inflammation brought on by knee arthritis. Many people try to delay knee replacement as long as possible, especi…
Sleeping Pills for Seniors: A Scary Solution for…
Do you have trouble sleeping? That’s just a natural outcome of accumulating lots of birthdays, right? Actually, insomnia is not a normal consequence of aging. According to the National Poll on Healt…
Alka-Seltzer — Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz: Is It t…
We recently received a basic question from a reader about Alka-Seltzer for indigestion. That sent me on a trip into the Wayback Machine. Actually, I just reached on my bookshelf for the very first edi…
Does Evenity Build Bone Against Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, a condition in which bones lose density and become fragile, is a serious health risk for older people. There are now, however, a number of medications that can slow or possibly even re…
Will Drug-Resistant Infections Kill Millions?
Infectious disease experts have been concerned about drug-resistant bacteria for years. Back in 2019, researchers at the United Nations issued an alarming analysis about drug-resistant infections. It …
Stopping Tramadol + Acetaminophen (Ultracet) Led…
You have heard an awful lot about the opioid epidemic. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Opioids are addictive. People can quickly lose control over their opioid use and need to ke…
Can You Manage Your Blood Sugar Naturally?
Metformin is a first-line medication for people with type 2 diabetes. Although doctors also prescribe it for different disorders, from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) to prostate cancer, the majori…
Wegovy Shots vs. Wegovy Pills for Weight Loss?
Semaglutide has gotten a lot of attention over the past few years. If you don’t recognize this generic drug name, you probably do recognize the brand names: Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy fo…
Oops! My Report of Drug Ads’ Death Was Greatly…
Mark Twain is often quoted to have said something like “Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” It would appear that the same could be said for prescription drug ads’ death. Last week I po…
Do You Know What OTC Ingredients Are Lurking in …
You have no doubt heard or seen the Capital One commercial that asks: "What’s in Your Wallet?" It’s been running for at least two decades. We ask a different question: What’s in Your Medicine? M…
Young Woman Suffers Long-lasting Sertraline Side…
When a healthcare provider gets ready to offer a patient a prescription, there are a few questions they should answer before the transaction is complete. Patients should know what they are taking and …
Are Older People More Likely to Fall on Antidepr…
Older people may be at particular risk for falls and fractures when they take many medications. Let's be honest, when people get past a certain age they may be a little less steady in general. Add mul…
What’s In Your Armpits: Magnesium or Alumi…
Most people rarely read labels. Do you have any idea what's in your toothpaste, shampoo or sunscreen? What about your antiperspirant or deodorant? Be honest, now. Have you ever checked your antiperspi…
Anxieties, Disbelief and the Erosion of Confiden…
Dennis Miller, R.Ph. is a retired chain store pharmacist. His book, The Shocking Truth About Pharmacy: A Pharmacist Reveals All the Disturbing Secrets, can be downloaded in its entirety at Amazon for …
Is Hormone Therapy Safe for Menopausal Women? Ye…
For the last two decades, many experts warned women that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) posed a risk for both breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. That's because investigators published the fi…
Can NSAIDs for Pain Harm Your Kidneys?
Have you taken nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like diclofenac, ibuprofen or naproxen? These pain relievers are very popular. In fact, you can buy ibuprofen and naproxen without a prescr…
How Can You Ease Heartburn Symptoms?
If you suffer from heartburn, you might describe it as a burning sensation under the breastbone. People with recurrent reflux can usually also talk about the types of foods that trigger their discomfo…
Is SONU a Sound Solution for a Stuffy Nose Inste…
We are in the middle of the sneezin' season! People with fall allergies know what it's like to try to sleep with a stuffy nose. I remember waking up during ragweed season and sneezing a dozen or more …
Sick of Prescription Drug Ads? FULL WARNINGS Cou…
Based on informal polling, most of our readers hate prescription drug ads! We often discover that many health professionals, including physicians, pharmacists and nurses, also despise drug commercials…
Coping with Anxiety During Really Stressful Time…
If you aren’t at least a wee bit anxious, you may have been paying zero attention to the news. An awful lot of your friends, neighbors and family members have been suffering from anxiety. That’s i…
Can Repatha Substitute for Statins to Lower Chol…
Not everyone can tolerate statins to lower cholesterol. Some people react to drugs like atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin or simvastatin with muscle pain and weakness, arthritis, mus…
Show 1443: Rethinking Medications: Uncovering th…
Americans take a lot of medications. Luckily, the Food and Drug Administration only approves those that are safe and effective. However, the agency’s definition of “safe” includes medicines that…
How Helpful Are Beta Blockers After Heart Attack…
Beta blockers have been among the most trusted and most prescribed drugs in the pharmacy. This category of medications includes atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carvedilol (Coreg), labetolol …
Should You Be Taking Vitamin Supplements?
Vitamins were among the most exciting discoveries of the early 20th century. Since then, however, doctors have been expressing a lot of skepticism about the value of taking vitamin supplements. A pron…
Are Pharmacists Complicit in a Medical System Th…
Dennis Miller, R.Ph. is a retired chain store pharmacist. His book, The Shocking Truth About Pharmacy: A Pharmacist Reveals All the Disturbing Secrets, can be downloaded in its entirety at Amazon for …
Repurposed Drugs Can Save Lives!
Years ago, we spoke with a bright young doctor who was working on finding treatments for rare or unusual diseases that did not have cures. Dr. David Fajgenbaum first accomplished this goal in saving h…
How To Stop Duloxetine (Cymbalta) Without Withdr…
Based on what we hear from readers of our syndicated newspaper column and visitors to this website, most patients are not warned about how to stop duloxetine (Cymbalta). Perhaps the prescriber assumes…
Overdosing on Acetaminophen in Cold and Flu Reme…
Many over-the-counter medicines marketed for treating colds and flu contain acetaminophen (paracetamol in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand). This non-aspirin pain reliever helps lower fever. …
What Happens When Minor Drug Side Effects Turn D…
Health professionals often categorize drug side effects three ways. First come the common complications of medicines. If 20 to 30 percent of patients complain of headaches or diarrhea after taking a m…
When You Can’t Handle Statins, What About …
There are powerful cholesterol-lowering medicines making waves. Many health professionals are convinced that there is no such thing as too low a golf score or a cholesterol level. They are right about…
Insiders Expose Secrets: Generic Drugs, Big Phar…
If you really want to know what’s going on inside an industry, talk to the people who have worked there. Former salespeople at car dealerships reveal how extended warranties, “add-ons” and finan…
Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil: Hope or Hype for Hair L…
Hair loss can be emotionally devastating for both men and women. Witnessing hair thin, or gradually disappear, can affect identity and confidence. For some, hair loss can trigger frustration or anxiet…
Diabolical Dilemma: High Blood Pressure or Risk …
"Cookbook medicine" can be deadly! What do I mean by that concept? Many physicians are following "GUIDELINES" set up by professional organizations. The idea seemed good. It was based on the concept of…
PPI Use Linked to Chronic Kidney Disease
Acid-suppressing drugs called proton pump inhibitors or PPIs are considered so safe that they can be purchased over the counter as Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec. House brands include esomeprazole, lan…
Serious Side Effects of Voltaren Gel Are Scary: …
Many people, including some health professionals, believe that the skin is a great barrier to topical drugs. They assume that only a little bit of the medicine gets into the blood stream. We have lear…
Rediscovering Low-Dose Lithium for Mood Disorder…
Lithium is a chemical element that is widespread in nature. You can find it in the earth's crust, in water and even in the food you eat. Depending upon where you live, there is a good chance that ther…