What to consider before stopping antidepressants
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I have been taking an antidepressant daily for the past two years. Most recently I am on 100 mg per day of sertraline. What would happen if I just stopped it? A: The decision to go off antidepressants should be considered thoughtfully and made with the support […]
Genetic testing to predict medication side effects
Medication side effects are a big problem. It’s estimated that about half of filled prescriptions are not taken as directed, and a major reason for this is side effects. If you’ve ever had diarrhea, felt sleepy, or developed a rash after taking a new medication, you know how unpleasant side effects can be. And sometimes […]
Mind Your Meds
Not taking heart medications can lead to serious effects You go to your doctor, receive a prescription and never get it filled. For heart disease patients, particularly those with high blood pressure (hypertension), this is a frighteningly common occurrence — one with potentially serious consequences. As many as half of the 187 million patients with […]
A spoonful of motivation helps the medicine go down
We have all done it. We are prescribed a medication to help us, but we don’t take it as directed, or at all. Sometimes we don’t even fill the prescription. Why? Things get in the way of getting to the pharmacy. One last phone call at work or one more math problem with your child. […]
Are you really allergic to penicillin?
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts A: Allergies to penicillin are the most commonly reported medication allergy. This can be a real problem. If she is truly allergic to penicillin, she does need to avoid penicillin, amoxicillin and related compounds. Now, this would be just an unavoidable reality of life for penicillin-allergic people, if […]
Medication Non-Adherence: Simple Steps Help You Stay on Track
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I had a mild heart attack a few months ago. Right after, I was very faithful with my medications. But more recently I find myself missing doses and making excuses for not taking my pills. Thoughts? Suggestions? A: You have a lot of company. They haven’t been […]
What you need to know if you’re taking multiple medications
Harvard Health Letters Taking several types of medications can be challenging. But this is something you have to get right. If you don’t, you may have unwanted side effects, or you may not properly treat your chronic condition. “I see people who average 15 medications, and it’s very difficult for them to juggle that many […]
Breast cancer drug found to reduce seizures
Source: Northwestern University A class of drug that inhibits estrogen production and is used to treat breast cancer has been found to quickly and effectively suppress dangerous brain seizures, according to a new Northwestern University study. “The effect was profound and very clear,” said Catherine S. Woolley, Ph.D., senior author of the study, which was […]
Studies suggest doctors should cut back on some medications in seniors
Source: University of Michigan Medical School whatdoctorsknow.com Anyone who takes medicine to get their blood sugar or blood pressure down — or both — knows their doctor prescribed it to help them. But what if stopping, or at least cutting back on, such drugs could help even more? In some older people, that may be […]
Abruptly stopping antidepressants can cause distressing symptoms
By Michael Craig Miller, M.D. Q: I have been taking paroxetine (Paxil) for more than a year. Since I felt better, I stopped it. But now I feel even worse than when I started it. Is there something else I can do rather than just taking the drug again? A: You may be having discontinuation […]
Is your medication making you depressed?
Harvard Health Letters Be on the lookout for mood swings, sleeplessness, and anxiety when starting certain medications. We all get the blues from time to time. But if signs of depression, such as prolonged hopelessness or trouble concentrating, seem to come out of nowhere, the cause may be in your medication regimen. “I think most […]
Do you really need all the drugs you’re taking?
Harvard Health Letters You probably go through your closet periodically, weeding out clothes that no longer fit. But how often do you take stock of your medicine chest? If you can’t remember the last time you did an inventory of your pill bottles, you may want to add that to your to-do list. You could […]
