A string of over-the-counter drug-induced deaths is putting care providers and state officials on high alert. In the past two months, three children in Connecticut have allegedly died in connection to overdoses of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl. The fatalities were confirmed earlier this week by the state Office of the Child Advocate (OCA). … Read more
A 31-year-old woman has described how her addiction to an easy to access product left her partially paralysed. The use of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, as a recreational drug has been on the rise since Covid, with inhalation of the chemical compound inducing momentary feelings of euphoria. However, the colloquial name of the gas … Read more
Genius anxiety hack or just a hack that should be sacked? Some 19% of adults have an anxiety disorder, with Gen Zers notably packing panic pouches to calm themselves down. Those struggling with anxiety are reaching for any relief they can find — even if it means testing their own solutions. An over-the-counter one-two punch … Read more
Nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach — anemia? Frequent sufferers of gastrointestinal symptoms may be doing more harm than good every time they reach for certain over-the-counter medications designed to relieve symptoms like acid reflux and heartburn. A new study out of Brazil evaluated the impact of prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), the technical term … Read more
Your medicine cabinet could be packing more than just cold and flu relief. A groundbreaking new study found that a widely available over-the-counter nasal spray may help healthy adults fend off COVID-19. The news comes amid a late-summer surge driving up cases across the country — including in New York City. A widely available over-the-counter … 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
As if urinary tract infections weren’t bad enough, a new report claims that a popular over-the-counter drug used to treat UTI symptoms has been linked to cancer concerns. UTIs are among the most common infections worldwide, affecting some 15 million women a year. Phenazopyridine, sold under brand names such as Azo and Uristat, is used … Read more
This could be a hard pill to swallow. An unhealthy diet, chronic insomnia, obesity and certain genetics can raise your risk of dementia, which destroys your memory, thinking skills and capacity to do basic tasks over time. Now, a board-certified anesthesiologist in Los Angeles is revealing five daily medications that may also increase your likelihood … Read more
The first over-the-counter birth control pill in the US is now available. Online sales for Opill, a progestin-only pill (POP), began Monday, and so far the estrogen-free pills are available to purchase on Amazon and directly from Opill.com. Per the website, once the drugs are in stock, they’ll be available for purchase online at Walmart … Read more
Teens are stooping to a new low to get high. New medical research in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that 11% of high school seniors admit to using a prevalent and easily accessible synthetic marijuana, known as delta-8 THC. That number translates to “at least one or two students in every … Read more
The first over-the-counter birth control pill will be available in US stores later this month, allowing American women and teens to purchase contraceptive medication as easily as they buy aspirin. Manufacturer Perrigo said Monday it has begun shipping the medication, Opill, to major retailers and pharmacies. A one-month supply will cost about $20 and a three-month supply … Read more
In a dramatic first, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a daily oral contraceptive available without a prescription. Consumers can easily buy the drug, named Opill (norgestrel), at grocery stores, convenience markets, drug stores or online. “Today’s approval marks the first time a nonprescription daily oral contraceptive will be an available option for millions … Read more
The Food and Drug Administration approved Wednesday the first over-the-counter nasal spray that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose. Narcan, a 4mg naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray, will not require a prescription and will be available in supermarkets, convenience and drug stores, gas stations, vending machines and online. “Today’s approval of OTC naloxone nasal spray … Read more
The Health Digest poll results include responses from 583 participants. Of those, 36.19% said their preferred choice of pain medication was Tylenol, while 29.33% choose Advil. Around an eighth of those polled (19.21%) said Aleve is their go-to for pain, followed by 12.35% who choose Motrin. The remainder of those polled, accounting for 2.92%, reach … Read more