Frequently Asked Questions about Drugs and Medications
By Michael Bihari, MD, About.com Guide to Drugs
Learn answers to commonly asked questions about drug side effects, drug interactions, generic drugs, drugs costs, drugs used to treat common health conditions, and other drug-related questions.
Drug Interactions FAQs
Drug interactions can change the way your medications act in your body, make your medications less effective or they can cause unexpected and potentially dangerous side effects.
- Can I Take Aspirin and Ibuprofen Together?
- Can I Take Lipitor or Zocor with Grapefruit Juice?
- Can I Drink Wine if I Take Lipitor?
- Can Valium Interact with Zyprexa and Depakene?
- Can I Have Grapefruit Juice if I Take Plavix?
Side Effects FAQS
Some typical side effects include muscle pain, nausea, dizziness, and sexual dysfunction. These effects can happen when you start a new medication, decrease or increase the dose of a medication, or when you stop using a medication.
- Can Extended-Release Drugs Cause Side Effects?
- Can I Report Drug Side Effects to the FDA?
- Do All High Blood Pressure Medications Have Side Effects?
- Norvasc: Can It Make My Ankles Swell?
- Pain Medication Side Effects: How Can I Withdraw from Vicodin?
- Synthroid: Can Synthroid Cause Hair Loss?
- Over-the-Counter Sleeping Medications: What Are the Side Effects?
- Xanax and Klonopin: What Are the Side Effects?
- Zoloft: Can It Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Generic Drugs FAQs
All drugs sold in the U.S., including brand name drugs and generic drugs, must work well and be safe. Generic drugs use the same active ingredients as their brand name counterparts and, therefore, have the same risks and benefits.
- Are There Counterfeit Generic Medications?
- Can the Generic Version of Medications Cause Side Effects?
- ADHD: Can I Save Money with Generic ADHD Medications?
- Flomax: Is a Generic Version of Available?
- Lipitor: Is There a Safe Generic Substitute?
- Synthroid: Should I Use the Generic Version?
- Valium: Is It Safe to Take the Generic Version of Valium?
- Vasotec: Is It Safe to Switch to the Generic Version?
Disease Specific FAQs
Answers to questions about health problems and the specific medications used to manage them, including common disorders such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, and osteoporosis.
- BPH: What Medications Are Used to Treat an Enlarged Prostate?
- Diabetes: Why Does My Doctor Want Me to Take an ACE Inhibitor?
- Epilepsy: Is It Safe to Take the Generic Version of Dilantin?
- Infertility: Can I Use Vaginal Progesterone During IVF?
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Can Antidepressants Help IBS in Teens?
- Osteoporosis: Should I Take Calcium Supplements Once or Twice a Day?
- Osteoporosis: Is It Safe to Take Fosamax?
- Osteoporosis: Do I Need to Take Calcium Supplements with Evista?
- Pain Management: What is OxyContin Abuse?
Medication Costs FAQs
Advice on how to save money on your prescription medications, from splitting your pills to managing your health benefits to buying medications online and in foreign countries.
- Can Medications Used for Animals Be Taken By People?
- Can I Save on Drugs at Walmart and Other Big-Box Stores?
- Why Are Medications Cheaper in Canada?
- What Is a Drug Formulary?
- Where Can I Get Help When Choosing a Medicare Part D Drug Plan?
- Can I Find Information About Low Cost or Free Drugs Online?
- Can I Split My Antidepressant Pills to Save Money?
- Am I At Risk if I Buy Drugs Online?
Medication Basics FAQs
Medication basics: how medications work, how to read a prescription from your doctor, how to store and dispose of medications, and any other drug-related questions that concern you.
