Medications Archive

Melasma is a skin condition affecting mostly women with darker skin. It cannot be fully prevented in those most likely to develop it, and there is no cure, but consistent sunscreen use is critical, and numerous treatment options are available.

There are several types of "sun allergies," including polymorphous light eruption (PMLE), hives, and photoallergic reactions. Learn about these different reactions to sun exposure, as well as prevention and treatment.

People with knee osteoarthritis often gain temporary pain relief from joint injections. However, there is uncertainty about long-term risks of steroid injections. A 2022 study suggests that the risk may be minimal if these injections are done infrequently.

In 2022, Pfizer voluntarily recalled some blood pressure medications, including Accuretic (quinapril hydrochloride plus hydrochlorothiazide), Accupril (quinapril hydrochloride), and two related generic formulations.

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is less common in summer, but a seasonal pattern of depressive symptoms can occur despite exposure to many hours of daylight. Many summertime SAD symptoms resemble overall depression markers, but eating and sleeping patterns can deviate. People can combat summertime SAD by sticking with antidepressants and psychotherapy, maintaining routines, exercising, and taking a break from social media.

Active surveillance allows men with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer to avoid temporarily the side effects of invasive therapies, but men often feel anxious about their cancer. Emerging evidence suggests there may be a middle path between no treatment and aggressive therapies.

When doctors say that it's okay to take proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) "on demand" for chronic heartburn, the advice doesn't apply to everyone. PPIs inhibit the production of stomach acid, which can back up into the esophagus and can cause pain (heartburn) and damage the lining of the esophagus. People with damage to the esophagus often stay on PPIs long-term to prevent further problems. People without damage to the esophagus can take a short course of PPIs as needed.

Psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin (found in "magic mushrooms") and 5-MeO-DMT (a compound derived from toad venom) are being tested for treating cases of depression that don't respond to standard treatments. New depression approaches are needed since current treatments don't work in nearly half of patients. Hallucinogenics may change longstanding thought patterns or promote new connections in brain neurons. Benefits of psilocybin on mood appear to be long-lasting. FDA approval for psilocybin will likely take several more years.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is often recommended for pain relief in people with high blood pressure because most other options can raise blood pressure. A 2022 study suggests acetaminophen might sometimes have a similar effect.

Nighttime skin itching can stem from dry skin, hormone changes, certain medications and skin care products, and rarely, a more serious illness. It can help to change bedding or pajamas, take short baths or showers, apply moisturizer liberally, and use a humidifier.