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- Drug Dose - Definition of Drug DoseUpdated: Wed Jul 23 20:58:40 2008
A drug dose is the specific amount of medication to be taken at a given time. … - Side Effects - Definition of Side EffectsUpdated: Wed Jul 23 20:38:45 2008
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. … - Brand Name Drugs - Definition of Brand Name DrugsCreated: Wed Jul 23 18:29:19 2008
Learn the definition of brand name drugs. … - Generic Drugs - Definition of Generic DrugsUpdated: Tue Jul 22 22:04:03 2008
Generic drugs by law must use the same active ingredients as brand name drugs and must meet the same quality and safety standards. … - Understanding A Prescription - How To Read A PrescriptionUpdated: Tue Jul 22 18:54:46 2008
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 to read a prescription immediatel… - Medication Safety for SeniorsCreated: Tue Jul 22 18:54:09 2008
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 d… - Generic Drugs - Are Generic Drugs Safe and EffectiveUpdated: Tue Jul 22 14:09:54 2008
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… - OxyContin Abuse: An IntroductionUpdated: Tue Jul 22 13:25:27 2008
OxyContin, a widely used prescription pian killer, is a popular street drug because of its ability to induce a quick heroin-like high. Criminal activities related to the drug have increased 75% in … - Drug Side Effects - What You Need to Know About Drug Side EffectsUpdated: Tue Jul 22 13:23:19 2008
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 info… - Active Ingredient - Definition of Active IngredientUpdated: Mon Jul 21 16:55:58 2008
An active ingredient is the component, or part of a medication responsible for the effect of the medication. … - FDA - Definition of U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationCreated: Mon Jul 21 16:37:15 2008
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. … - Over the Counter Drugs - OTC - Definition of Over the Counter DrugsUpdated: Fri Jul 18 20:25:59 2008
Over the counter (OTC) drugs can be purchased without a prescription. … - Adverse Reaction - Definition of Adverse ReactionUpdated: Fri Jul 18 12:59:51 2008
Adverse reactions are undesirable side effects due to the action of a medication. … - Black Box Warning - Definition of Black Box WarningCreated: Wed Jul 16 20:43:10 2008
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. … - Black Box Warnings - Adverse Drug Events and Black Box WarningsUpdated: Mon Jul 14 21:39:38 2008
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 descri… - Hypothyroidism - Levothyroxine - Levoxyl - Thyroid TreatmentsUpdated: Thu Jul 10 20:50:26 2008
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. … - Oral Medications - How to Use Oral MedicationsUpdated: Tue Jul 8 15:13:32 2008
The most common way people take medications is orally (by mouth). Oral medications can be swallowed, chewed or placed under the tongue to dissolve. … - Ask Dr. MikeUpdated: Tue Jul 8 13:08:31 2008
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 o… - DrugsUpdated: Sun Jul 6 23:42:45 2008
Find all the information you need about prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs. Learn about common side effects and drug interactions and the most important questions to ask your docto… - Norvasc Side Effect - Ankle Swelling as a Norvasc Side EffectUpdated: Fri Jul 4 14:14:10 2008
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 s… - How Drugs Work - Explanation of How Drugs Work in Your BodyUpdated: Thu Jul 3 15:53:37 2008
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… - I recently got health insurance with drug coverage for the first tim…Created: Sun Jun 29 16:02:08 2008
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 yo… - Finding Information About Low-Cost or Free Medications OnlineUpdated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:51 2008
There are a number of reliable websites that provide access to information about low-cost or free medications… - Saving Money on Prescription Drugs: Advice from the FDAUpdated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:50 2008
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 suc… - Drug Interactions: Reducing Your RiskUpdated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:49 2008
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 les… - Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An IntroductionUpdated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:46 2008
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 pr… - Clinical Trials: An IntroductionUpdated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:45 2008
Clinical trials (also called medical research and research studies) are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective… - Where to Get Help When Choosing a Medicare Part D Drug PlanUpdated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:43 2008
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… - How to Evaluate Health Information on the InternetCreated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:42 2008
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… - Medications for Type 2 DiabetesUpdated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:41 2008
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, especia… - Grapefruit Juice: Is It Safe With Your Drug?Updated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:40 2008
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. … - How to Use Your InhalerUpdated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:39 2008
Inhalers are used for the treatment of asthma and COPD. Get access to information about how to use various types of inhalers… - Splitting Pills to Save Money on MedicationsUpdated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:37 2008
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 … - Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Sleep MedicationsUpdated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:35 2008
Buying OTC sleep medications can be challenging. Learn about the side effects of OTC sleep aids and precautions to take when using them… - Safely Disposing of MedicationsUpdated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:34 2008
Tips for safely disposing of medications that are expired or you are no longer using… - Drug Information Guide - How to Find Drug InformationUpdated: Fri Jun 27 13:45:31 2008
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 include…