Sugar Editorial Picks
Oct 06, 2009 -
Chances are you've seen more prescription drug commercials than you can count — Viagra, Cymbalta, Celebrex, and Yaz are just a few that I can name from memory. The ads are pervasive and influential and pharmaceutical companies know that. From 1997 to 2005, drug companies tripled their spending in television ad campaigns from $1.3 billion to $4.2 billion.
- 9 Comments
Sep 28, 2009 -
It might seem like I have sex birth control on the brain. Last week I asked you about your experience or lack thereof with the female condom. Although it's most often talked about in intimate settings, birth control is in the news.
- 47 Comments
Sep 09, 2008 -
Ever been prescribed a drug by your doctor and wondered how safe or unsafe it is?
The FDA has recently begun posting a list of prescription drugs under investigation for safety problems on its site. Currently there are only about 20 meds on the list, but the FDA will continue to update it each quarter.
- 5 Comments
Aug 26, 2008 -
If you pass the occasional pill to your friends, you are not alone. According to a recent study published in The Journal of Women’s Health, sharing prescription drugs is common among young adults, especially 18- to 44-year-old women. The recent survey of 25,000 people found that more than one-third of the women polled shared prescription drugs with friends or took pills from their pals.
- 24 Comments
Jul 28, 2008 -
I'm always surprised when I read the labels on my prescription medications that they can often interact with seemingly innocent over-the-counter drugs. So I'm very careful to read the texts that come with my prescriptions, to make sure that they don't create a harmful combination with something else. Do you pay attention to the interactions spelled out on your drug labels?
- 26 Comments
Jul 25, 2008 -
Where you live affects many elements of your daily life, like how often you walk to your destination as opposed to drive. Based on a new study by Kaiser Family Foundation, which side of the Mason-Dixon line you live on could affect how medicated you are.
According to numbers compiled by the Kaiser Family Foundation the top ten medicated states, based on the number of retail prescriptions filled per capita annually, were in the South.
- 11 Comments
Other Search Results
Oct 08, 2008 -
In This Report
- Highlights
- Introduction
- Prognosis
- Causes
- Risk Factors
- Diagnosis
- Treatment Approaches
- Medications Used for Treatm...
- Prevention
- Medications Used for Preven...
- Resources
- References
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Highlights
Migraine Surveys
- About 17.1% of women and 5.6% of men suffer migraines, according to the 2007 American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention survey. Nearly a third of respondents reported 3 or more migraine attacks per month. Over half were severely impaired or needed bed rest during attacks.
- 1 Comment
Oct 08, 2008 -
In This Report
- Highlights
- Introduction
- Causes of Short-Term or Tra...
- Causes of Chronic Insomnia...
- Risk Factors
- Prognosis
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Medications
- Resources
- References
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Highlights
Sedative Hypnotic Drug Warnings
In March 2007, the FDA ordered stronger warning labels on sedative hypnotic drugs. These medications include benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine drugs, such as zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), ramelteon (Rozerem), and triazolam (Halcion). The FDA warned that these drugs may be associated with:
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and severe facial swelling (angioedema), which can occur even the first time a drug is taken
- Complex sleep-related behaviors, such as sleep driving, making phone calls, and preparing and eating food while asleep
Patients who take sleeping pills should be sure to follow the directions.
- 5 Comments
Oct 08, 2008 -
In This Report
- Highlights
- Introduction
- Causes
- Risk Factors
- Symptoms
- Screening Tests
- Treatment
- Lifestyle Changes
- Medications
- Long-Term Complications
- Emergency Complications
- Resources
- References
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Highlights
Drug Approvals
- Sitagliptin (Januvia), the first in a new class of diabetes drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors, was approved in 2006.
- Janumet, a 2-in-1 pill that contains both sitagliptin and metformin, was approved in 2007.
- These drugs are taken by mouth and may be more convenient for patients than exenatide (Byetta), a similar drug. DPP-4 inhibitors do not cause weight gain and may pose a lower risk for hypoglycemia than some other diabetes drugs.
Drug Safety Alert
Rosiglitazone (Avandia) may significantly increase the risk for heart attack, indicates a review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In 2007, a panel of experts from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed the drug increases the risk of heart attacks -- but concluded it should remain on the market.
- 4 Comments
Oct 08, 2008 -
In This Report
- Highlights
- Introduction
- Causes
- Symptoms
- Complications
- Risk Factors
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Treatment for NSAID-Induced...
- Medications
- Treatment for Bleeding Ulce...
- Lifestyle Changes
- Resources
- References
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Highlights
Risk with cardiovascular medications
While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the major medications responsible for causing peptic ulcers, drugs taken for cardiovascular disease and its risk factors may also cause ulcers. Recent studies have found an association between increased risk of ulcer and the following drugs:
- Spironolactone, a common diuretic used in heart failure
- Niacin, a drug used to lower "bad" cholesterol and raise "good" cholesterol
- Vitamin K antagonists, commonly prescribed anticoagulants
- Dipyridamole, a drug for secondary stroke prevention
- Low-dose aspirin, prescribed for both heart attack and stroke prevention
Risk of peptic ulcer increases dramatically when these drugs are used in combination. Considering the millions of people who take these medications to prevent a life-threatening cardiovascular event, their impact on peptic ulcer development could be monumental.
- 0 Comments