We’re gonna need a stronger pill. Each year, the seasonal allergy warnings grow louder — as does the chorus of sniffling, sneezing and hacking. You can blame warmer temperatures, which “extend the duration of the pollen season,” and pollutants in the air that “can increase the potency of pollen allergens,” NYU Langone allergist Dr. Stephanie … Read more
Six years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, its effects are still visible — from widespread hybrid work schedules to declining student performance. Add another wrinkle to the list — new prescriptions for ADHD medicine have more than doubled since the start of the pandemic, especially among younger adults. ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is … Read more
This is a prescription for disaster. While all medications carry potential side effects, certain types have been shown to increase the risk of falls, confusion and even hospitalization among older populations. Despite the concerns, a new study found that 1 in 4 older Americans with dementia is still prescribed risky, brain-altering medications. Despite an increased … Read more
Many might assume that over-the-counter (OTC) medications are generally safer than stronger prescription drugs, but research shows they can still present risks for some. Certain common OTC painkillers have been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks. Potential risk of NSAIDs Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — which are used to … Read more
Sometimes it’s hard to go with the flow. While oral medications are generally considered safer and more convenient than injections or inhalations, sometimes a simple swallow is easier said than done. Pill-induced esophagitis goes down, literally, when a tablet or capsule gets stuck in the narrowing of the esophagus, particularly where it meets the stomach. Swallowing … Read more
With new agreements from President Donald Trump promising lower prices on popular weight-loss drugs, the use of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro could soon surge even higher — a trend already spreading unevenly across the US, with some states seeing greater uptick than others. Based on insurance claims data from Purple Lab, a Pennsylvania … Read more
Some everyday medications could be impacting your gut health in the long term. A large study from Estonia has found that the gut microbiome — or the ecosystem that lives in the intestines — can be reshaped by antibiotics, according to new research published in ASM Journals. Other medicines — like antidepressants and cold medications — can also change … Read more
Welcome to Club Meds. More than 4 out of 10 senior citizens take five or more prescription medications — a phenomenon known as polypharmacy, research shows. This practice increases the risk of addiction and medication errors, like taking the wrong dosage or skipping doses altogether. Potential consequences include hospitalization, mental impairment and painful falls. Many … Read more
John Leguizamo is letting it all hang out. The comedian, 64, opened up about his problems in both the bedroom and in front of the mirror on Friday morning during an appearance on “The View.” The saucy discussion started after co-host Joy Behar asked Leguizamo about the panel’s segment before his arrival – which included … Read more
Another day, another study linking Ozempic to major health benefits. Published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry, the study found that patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who were given a GLP-1 drug were less likely to be hospitalized for alcohol-related issues. In fact, they found it to work even better than the current most-effective drug for … Read more
In this post-pandemic world, many have become hyperaware of illness around them — giving rise to stigma at even the slightest sign of a cold. Now, a simple cough, sniffle or sneeze can reduce someone to social outcast status — aka “sick shaming” — as those around them fear a fresh case of COVID-19. To … Read more
An estimated 61.9 million U.S. adults are on blood pressure medication, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — but a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that cutting just 1 teaspoon of salt each day could have the same effect. Researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, … Read more
Pain medication is supposed to help you feel better. But the Food and Drug Administration is now warning the public that many over-the-counter products promoted for pain and arthritis contain potentially harmful ingredients that aren’t listed on the label. Some of these hidden ingredients are prescription drugs such as steroids, muscle relaxants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory … Read more
Nursing homes and their residents were on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19. But despite how vulnerable nursing home residents are to severe illness and death from the disease, most of them never received lifesaving drugs — including Paxlovid, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in May this year, after more than … Read more
If all goes according to plan, in the first quarter of 2023, the FDA will approve the use of MDMA for treating PTSD. Israel is expected to follow suit. In other words, the party drug we know as “Ecstasy,” will become a recognized treatment in Israel. Head of Psychiatric Department B at the Sheba Medical … Read more