Drugs: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
How to Read a Prescription
Your doctor uses abbreviations (based on Latin words) that tell your pharmacist which medication to give you and directions on how to use that medication. Learning how to read a prescription immediately after your doctor writes it will help make sure that you know what medication you are getting. It will also give you a chance to ask questions about your doctor’s instructions.
Your doctor uses abbreviations (based on Latin words) that tell your pharmacist which medication to give you and directions on how to use that medication. Learning how to read a prescription immediately after your doctor writes it will help make sure that you know what medication you are getting. It will also give you a chance to ask questions about your doctor’s instructions.
Side Effects
Some side effects may be severe, while others may be mild and of little concern. Learn about the most common drug side effects, what to ask your healthcare provider, and where to find specific information about your drugs.
Some side effects may be severe, while others may be mild and of little concern. Learn about the most common drug side effects, what to ask your healthcare provider, and where to find specific information about your drugs.
Drugs A to Z
Drugs A to Z has detailed information on several thousand prescription and over-the-counter medications. The guide can be used to find information on drug interactions and side effects, and includes a tool to help identify pills.
Drugs A to Z has detailed information on several thousand prescription and over-the-counter medications. The guide can be used to find information on drug interactions and side effects, and includes a tool to help identify pills.
Grapefruit Juice and Drugs
Americans drink more than 164 million gallons of grapefruit juice every year. However, more than 50 prescription and OTC drugs interact with grapefruit juice with the risk of serious side effects. Find out about why grapefruit juice causes this problems and things to do to prevent dangerous side effects.
Americans drink more than 164 million gallons of grapefruit juice every year. However, more than 50 prescription and OTC drugs interact with grapefruit juice with the risk of serious side effects. Find out about why grapefruit juice causes this problems and things to do to prevent dangerous side effects.
Generics vs. Brand Name
Generic drugs must use the same active ingredients as the brand name version of the drug. A generic drug must meet the same quality and safety standards. The FDA requires that a generic drug be the same as a brand name drug in dosage, safety, strength, the way it works, the way it is taken, and the health conditions that it treats.
Generic drugs must use the same active ingredients as the brand name version of the drug. A generic drug must meet the same quality and safety standards. The FDA requires that a generic drug be the same as a brand name drug in dosage, safety, strength, the way it works, the way it is taken, and the health conditions that it treats.
How Drugs Work
There are more than 8,000 medications available by prescription or over the counter. Medications work in your body in a variety of ways. How drugs work depends on a number of factors. Learn more in this overview of how drugs work.
There are more than 8,000 medications available by prescription or over the counter. Medications work in your body in a variety of ways. How drugs work depends on a number of factors. Learn more in this overview of how drugs work.
Drug Interactions: Basics
Drug interactions occur when one drug interferes with another drug that you are taking or when your medications interact with what you eat or drink. Drug interactions can make your medications less effective or they can cause dangerous side effects.
Drug interactions occur when one drug interferes with another drug that you are taking or when your medications interact with what you eat or drink. Drug interactions can make your medications less effective or they can cause dangerous side effects.
Norvasc and ankle swelling
Norvasc is a calcium-channel blocker, a drug used to treat high blood pressure. Like any drug, Norvasc has side effects. Is ankle swelling a Norvasc side effect? Find out in this Q&A on ankle swelling and Norvasc side effects.
Norvasc is a calcium-channel blocker, a drug used to treat high blood pressure. Like any drug, Norvasc has side effects. Is ankle swelling a Norvasc side effect? Find out in this Q&A on ankle swelling and Norvasc side effects.
Thyroid Meds: Brand or Generic
What are the differences between Levoxyl and levothyroxine, both of which are used as thyroid treatments? Learn what could happen when you switch between these hypothyrodism drugs.
What are the differences between Levoxyl and levothyroxine, both of which are used as thyroid treatments? Learn what could happen when you switch between these hypothyrodism drugs.
Generic Drugs
Generic drugs by law must use the same active ingredients as brand name drugs and must meet the same quality and safety standards.
Generic drugs by law must use the same active ingredients as brand name drugs and must meet the same quality and safety standards.
Black Box Warnings
Black box warnings, also known as black label warnings or boxed warnings, are named for the black border surrounding the text of the warning that appears on the package insert and label that describe the medication. Black box warnings are the most serious medication warnings required by the FDA.
Black box warnings, also known as black label warnings or boxed warnings, are named for the black border surrounding the text of the warning that appears on the package insert and label that describe the medication. Black box warnings are the most serious medication warnings required by the FDA.
Pill Splitting to Save Money
Some commonly used medications, such as statins for lowering cholesterol, antidepressants, and erectile dysfunction drugs can be split to save money. Always work with your healthcare and provider to make sure you are doing this correctly.
Some commonly used medications, such as statins for lowering cholesterol, antidepressants, and erectile dysfunction drugs can be split to save money. Always work with your healthcare and provider to make sure you are doing this correctly.
Drug Safety for Seniors
Many seniors have chronic health conditions and take multiple medications. This high use of prescription drugs combined with age-related infirmities is related to the increasing number of adverse drug events.
Many seniors have chronic health conditions and take multiple medications. This high use of prescription drugs combined with age-related infirmities is related to the increasing number of adverse drug events.
Ask Dr. Mike
Michael Bihari, MD – known to his friends and colleagues as Dr. Mike – answers readers’ questions about medications. Topics include everything from medication side effects to cost of medications and medication safety issues.
Michael Bihari, MD – known to his friends and colleagues as Dr. Mike – answers readers’ questions about medications. Topics include everything from medication side effects to cost of medications and medication safety issues.
Safe Use of OTC Sleep Aids
Buying OTC sleep medications can be challenging. Learn about the side effects of OTC sleep aids and precautions to take when using them.
Buying OTC sleep medications can be challenging. Learn about the side effects of OTC sleep aids and precautions to take when using them.
Oral Medications
The most common way people take medications is orally (by mouth). Oral medications can be swallowed, chewed or placed under the tongue to dissolve.
The most common way people take medications is orally (by mouth). Oral medications can be swallowed, chewed or placed under the tongue to dissolve.
Over-the-Counter Drugs (OTC)
Over the counter (OTC) drugs can be purchased without a prescription.
Over the counter (OTC) drugs can be purchased without a prescription.
The FDA
The FDA is responsible for assuring the safety, efficacy and security of drugs, biological products, medical devices, the nation’s food supply, cosmetics and products that emit radiation.
The FDA is responsible for assuring the safety, efficacy and security of drugs, biological products, medical devices, the nation’s food supply, cosmetics and products that emit radiation.
Medicare Part D Help
If you are a Medicare beneficiary, one of the most confusing and difficult tasks is deciding which Medicare Part D drug plan is the right one for you. And, after you have been enrolled, you may, at some time during the year, hit the dreaded coverage gap.
If you are a Medicare beneficiary, one of the most confusing and difficult tasks is deciding which Medicare Part D drug plan is the right one for you. And, after you have been enrolled, you may, at some time during the year, hit the dreaded coverage gap.
Active Ingredient
An active ingredient is the component, or part of a medication responsible for the effect of the medication.
An active ingredient is the component, or part of a medication responsible for the effect of the medication.
Safe Dispose of Medications
Tips for safely disposing of medications that are expired or you are no longer using.
Tips for safely disposing of medications that are expired or you are no longer using.
Clinical Trials: An Intro
Clinical trials (also called medical research and research studies) are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective.
Clinical trials (also called medical research and research studies) are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective.
Online low-cost drugs
There are a number of reliable websites that provide access to information about low-cost or free medications.
There are a number of reliable websites that provide access to information about low-cost or free medications.
Save Money: FDA Advice
Advice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on how to save money on prescription medications. The FDA recommends first talking with your healthcare provider about less costly alternatives such as a different drug in the same drug class or switching to a generic medication.
Advice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on how to save money on prescription medications. The FDA recommends first talking with your healthcare provider about less costly alternatives such as a different drug in the same drug class or switching to a generic medication.
Drugs - Articles
An index of Articles for the Drugs guide site.
An index of Articles for the Drugs guide site.
Black Box Warning
A black box warning appears on the label of a prescription medication to alert consumers and healthcare providers about safety concerns, such as serious side effects or life-threatening risks.
A black box warning appears on the label of a prescription medication to alert consumers and healthcare providers about safety concerns, such as serious side effects or life-threatening risks.
Type 2 Diabetes Drugs
Along with diet, exercise, and weight control, people with type 2 diabetes may need to take oral medications and insulin. People with type 2 diabetes also are at high risk of heart disease, especially if they have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Get access to resources about medications for type 2 diabetes.
Along with diet, exercise, and weight control, people with type 2 diabetes may need to take oral medications and insulin. People with type 2 diabetes also are at high risk of heart disease, especially if they have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Get access to resources about medications for type 2 diabetes.
CAM: An Intro
Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine provides consumers and health professionals with information about CAM therapies that are safe and effective.
Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine provides consumers and health professionals with information about CAM therapies that are safe and effective.
Definition of Drug Dose
A drug dose is the specific amount of medication to be taken at a given time.
A drug dose is the specific amount of medication to be taken at a given time.
Adverse Reaction
Adverse reactions are undesirable side effects due to the action of a medication.
Adverse reactions are undesirable side effects due to the action of a medication.
Health Info on the Web
According to the Pew Institute, 80% of Internet users have searched online for health information and 40% of users are going online to find information about prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Knowing how to evaluate the Web sites you look at will help to assure that you find drug information that is current and accurate.
According to the Pew Institute, 80% of Internet users have searched online for health information and 40% of users are going online to find information about prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Knowing how to evaluate the Web sites you look at will help to assure that you find drug information that is current and accurate.
Brand Name Drugs
Learn the definition of brand name drugs.
Learn the definition of brand name drugs.
What is a Drug Formulary?
A drug formulary is a list of generic and brand name drugs that are preferred by your health plan. Since your health may limit the medications it will pay for, it is important for you understand your health plan's drug benefit and formulary.
A drug formulary is a list of generic and brand name drugs that are preferred by your health plan. Since your health may limit the medications it will pay for, it is important for you understand your health plan's drug benefit and formulary.
Side Effects - Definition
Side effects are unwanted reactions to the use of medications. Depending on the medication, some typical side effects include muscle pain, nausea, dizziness, and sexual dysfunction.
Side effects are unwanted reactions to the use of medications. Depending on the medication, some typical side effects include muscle pain, nausea, dizziness, and sexual dysfunction.
About - Drugs Buyer's Guide
Find Guide reviews, top picks, and advice you can use before you buy.
Find Guide reviews, top picks, and advice you can use before you buy.
How to Use Your Inhaler
Inhalers are used for the treatment of asthma and COPD. Get access to information about how to use various types of inhalers.
Inhalers are used for the treatment of asthma and COPD. Get access to information about how to use various types of inhalers.