Drugs Archives

Why should I know the side effects of my medication?Ask Hanna

The left-hand column below lists the 10 most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S. in the order of the frequency that they are prescribed. In the right column are the most common side effects of these medications in no particular …

Why should I know the side effects of my medication?

Can regular food and drink affect prescription drugs?Ask Hanna

Did you know that drinking grapefruit juice with certain cholesterol-lowering drugs can result in dangerously high levels of those drugs in the body? Were you aware that some over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications can be harmful if you are taking a …

Can regular food and drink affect prescription drugs?

What is the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day?Ask Hanna

If you have expired, unused, or unneeded prescription drugs in the house, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wants to make it easier for you to dispose of them. Saturday, September 26th has been designated as the 10^th annual National …

What is the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day?

Can dietary supplements be dangerous?Ask Hanna

In 2003, the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases established the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network to document cases of drug-induced liver injuries. Between 2004 and 2013, the Network identified 839 patients with liver damage due to prescription …

Can dietary supplements be dangerous?

Are over the counter drugs dangerous?Ask Hanna

The abuse of prescription medications, especially those in the opioid class of drugs (e.g. Vicodin, Lorcet, Oxycontin, others), has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. It is estimated that more than 2 million Americans suffer from substance use disorders related …

Are over the counter drugs dangerous?

When do I really need antibiotics?Ask Hanna

Most people know that antibiotics are used to fight infections. Millions of lives have been saved by their ability to combat bacterial infections. Many people are unaware, however, that antibiotics are not effective for all types of infections, specifically those …