One of the most popular drugs in the country, levothyroxine – also known as the brand name Synthroid – is in short supply, making prices higher and even leaving some patients without the drug. The shortage is a result of hurricanes Irma and Maria, which hit Puerto Rico nearly four months ago, and knocked out…
Should You Treat A Fever?
Fevers – can’t live with them, can’t live without them. Or at least, that’s the case once you start coming down with one. Understanding what happens inside your body when you have a fever may help you determine whether to treat yours or not. How a fever works It seems counterintuitive that you get the shivers when you’re…
FDA Approves Oral Solution Prexxartan
Valsartan is a common angiotensin receptor blocker used to treat heart failure, heart attack, and hypertension. In the past, valsartan was only available in tablet form, but a new version of this has been approved. On December 19th, 2017, the FDA approved Prexxartan, the first oral solution for the treatment of various heart problems like high…
10 Things That Don’t Age Well
With increasing life expectancy comes an increase in age-related complaints. Understandably folks want to know: is this normal with aging? This list is not meant to be depressing or hopeless, but instead, shed light on some of the areas of our body that, frankly, don’t age well. The eyes “Can I get a light with that…
What’s Better: Losartan or Valsartan?
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3 Drug Shortages Tied to Hurricane Maria
We are still seeing the devastating effects of the hurricanes that damaged the United States, Puerto Rico, and several smaller islands this fall. Around 10% of drugs prescribed in the United States are manufactured in Puerto Rico. While pharmaceutical companies implemented hurricane preparedness plans leading up to the storm and worked with drug shortage experts, it has…
Generic EpiPen is Still Expensive. Here’s How You Can Save
For a large portion of Americans, a simple bee sting or a peanut can cause a fatal allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Fortunately, in most cases, these symptoms can be treated by a shot to the leg with an epinephrine auto-injector. Unfortunately, one of the most popular autoinjectors EpiPen costs around $630 and it’s generic version epinephrine…
Medications That Mess With Your Calcium
The word “calcium” makes people think of bones, and here’s why: over 99% of the calcium present in an adult is found in the skeleton. In addition to bone structure, however, calcium is critical for many bodily functions including nerve transmission, blood clotting and coagulation, and muscle contraction. Calcium is complicated. Calcium in the bloodstream…
6 Doctor-Approved Tips For Cold And Flu Season
Although cold and flu season started earlier than usual this winter, you should still brace yourself as peak flu activity in the U.S. typically occurs around February. For the 20% of Americans who’ll come down with the flu this season, or catch one of the billion colds Americans get every year, here are some clinically-proven tips that will…
Hydrocortisone Acetate For Hemorrhoids: How to Save
Corticosteroid suppositories like hydrocortisone acetate, Anucort HC, Hemmorex-HC, and Anusol HC are common medications used to decrease swelling and pain caused by minor skin irritations, or by hemorrhoids. But there is some confusion about these drugs that is causing some sticker shock at the pharmacy. If you think you are filling for hydrocortisone acetate be aware that…