Written by Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS | Reviewed by Sarah Gupta, MD Published on July 3, 2023 Key takeaways: Some medical conditions, including cancer, can cause undesired weight loss. Megestrol (Megace ES), dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros), and oxandrolone are FDA-approved appetite stimulants that can promote weight gain and nutritional intake when needed. Mirtazapine (Remeron) is...
Written by Jewels Doskicz, RN, BA | Reviewed by Sophie Vergnaud, MD Updated on December 20, 2022 Key takeaways: High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can be a side effect of some common medications. In some cases, high levels of blood sugar are temporary and settle when someone stops the medication. But medications can increase the risk...
Written by Connie Zheng, PharmD | Reviewed by Stacia Woodcock, PharmD Published on October 13, 2022 Key takeaways: Dietary supplements include products like vitamins, herbal supplements, and botanicals. While evidence is limited, some studies suggest they can interact with diabetes medications. Check with your healthcare provider before you start taking a dietary supplement like niacin,...
Written by Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP | Reviewed by Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS Updated on June 1, 2023 Key takeaways: Some medications, like antidepressants and beta blockers, can cause vivid dreams and nightmares. Vivid dreams from medications are often caused by changes to chemicals in the brain. They can be bothersome, but are not typically...
by University of Nottingham Shift analysis of the modified Rankin Scale score in participants at day 90. mRS= modified Rankin Scale. Credit: The Lancet Neurology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(23)00157-6 The results of a clinical trial have shown that a drug commonly used for patients with bleeding disorders has the potential to be used to lessen the side effects of...
by Ann Schreiber Navigating the changes and discomforts of menopause can be a frustrating experience for many women. Daily life can be significantly affected by symptoms ranging from hot flashes and mood swings to sleep disturbances and vaginal dryness. Treating those symptoms may require a mix of approaches, including medication, lifestyle adjustments and self-care strategies....
by Ann Schreiber Hepatitis C is a serious viral infection that can scar your liver, cause your liver to fail and raise your risk for liver cancer, but there are a multitude of medications that can treat it. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated 2.4 million Americans live with hepatitis...
by American Chemical Society Appearing green on a vial lid (left), this structural color material becomes colorless (right) when warmed. Credit: Adapted from ACS Nano 2023, DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c00467 Some foods and medicines, such as many COVID-19 vaccines, must be kept cold. As a step toward a robust, stable technique that could indicate when these products exceed safe limits, researchers in ACS...
Written by Christina Aungst, PharmD | Reviewed by Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS Updated on November 1, 2022 Key takeaways: Manufacturers set medication expiration dates. But they don’t always mean that the medication stops working after that date. Some medications, though, can be harmful if taken after their expiration date. Storing your medications according to...
Written by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD | Reviewed by Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP Published on July 14, 2022 Key takeaways: Some medications work better when taken on an empty stomach. Common examples include thyroid medications, bisphosphonates, and sucralfate (Carafate). The general rule of thumb is to take your medication either 1 hour before or 2 hours...
