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Medications Archive
Articles
Should you rethink high blood pressure treatment?
Image: Thinkstock
News briefs
Initial results of a large national clinical trial suggest that being more aggressive in treating high blood pressure may save lives. Results of the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) aren't yet published, so we don't know all of the details. But from information released by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in September, it appears that aiming for a systolic (top) blood pressure reading of less than 120 mm Hg may reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure by almost a third, and reduce the overall death rate by 25%. Researchers came to this conclusion after following more than 9,000 middle-aged and older adults with high blood pressure for several years. Half of the participants took an average of two medications and set a target systolic blood pressure of less than 140 mm Hg, the current recommended number. The other half took an average of three medications and aimed for a systolic blood pressure of less than 120 mm Hg. The results in the lower-target group were so impressive that NIH stopped the study early to share the news. Does this mean you should add more pills to your blood pressure treatment? "Not necessarily, because there may be more drug side effects. But if you're aiming for a lower number, I think it will be critical to rely on lifestyle modification, such as stress reduction, diet, salt restriction, and exercise, in addition to medication to lower blood pressure," says Dr. Randall Zusman, a cardiologist and Harvard Medical School associate professor.
Heartburn medications and the heart
Image: ThinkStock |
Ask the doctor
Q. I've read news reports that the heartburn drug I take may cause heart attacks. Should I worry about this?
A. Several studies have reported an association between proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and heart attacks. PPIs are medications for heartburn, such as omeprazole (Prilosec) and pantoprazole (Protonix). Overall, however, the evidence suggests these medications are not risky for your heart.
New recommendation narrows heart benefit from low-dose aspirin
Image: Bigstock
In the journals
The influential U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has endorsed low-dose daily aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease in people ages 50 to 59 who have a 10% or greater chance of heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years. Unless a person already has cardiovascular disease, the actual number of heart attacks and strokes prevented with daily aspirin is relatively small. This draft recommendation did not recommend aspirin for those younger than 50 or 60 or older, citing insufficient evidence to make a recommendation.
The USPSTF statement is at odds with a statement in 2014 by the FDA that evidence does not support general use of aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke in otherwise healthy adults. However, daily aspirin is often recommended for those with a history of cardiovascular disease, since the potential benefit (preventing heart attacks and strokes) outweighs the risk of bleeding that comes with regular aspirin use.
Will Prozac help my premenstrual depression?
Ask the doctor
Q. I've had some severe bouts of depression before my periods. I have done my own research and I am willing to try an antidepressant. What dosage of Sarafem or Prozac is usually given to treat this?
A. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are an excellent option for treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). In fact, most physicians now consider them first-line therapy. Many different SSRIs have been studied, including the one you asked about—fluoxetine (Prozac or Sarafem)—and they all appear to be equally effective.
Can you find a good night’s sleep at the drugstore?
Almost everyone suffers from trouble sleeping at one time or another. Insomnia — defined as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep — isn't a single disorder itself, but rather a general symptom, like fever or pain.
Because insomnia is so common, you can walk into any drugstore and find a bewildering variety of over-the-counter sleep products. And people are buying them. One small survey of people ages 60 and over found that more than a quarter had taken nonprescription sleeping aids in the preceding year — and that one in 12 did so daily.
Addyi is not a "female Viagra," but it can open an important discussion
Many of my patients, colleagues, friends, and even neighbors have asked me about the new drug flibanserin (Addyi), which the FDA recently approved for treatment of low sexual desire in women. Flibanserin has generated more questions, comments, and media inquiries for me than I've ever experienced in my 20-year career as an obstetrician/gynecologist. While there are several medications that improve sexual function in men (including Viagra, the most famous one), flibanserin is the first to be approved for that purpose in women. Here are what I consider the relevant facts about flibanserin, and what I say to my patients.
The "pink pill" works differently than the "blue pill"—Viagra. Image: Thinkstock |
The new cholesterol-lowering drugs
Persistently high “bad” LDL cholesterol leads to heart attacks and strokes. New drugs can help, but they are not appropriate for all men. |
These potent medications are for hard-to-manage cases of high cholesterol—not replacements for the tried-and-true statins.
Is your heartburn pill working for you?
Image: iStock |
For optimal results, you need to take your medication regularly and time it correctly to your meals.
Have you tried to cool the burning discomfort of heartburn with medication and failed to get full relief? If so, a few simple adjustments to optimize your treatment may be all you need.
Is your medication making you depressed?
When starting a new medication, keep a journal to track any new symptoms that develop. Note the time of day, date, and type of symptom you are experiencing. |
Be on the lookout for mood swings, sleeplessness, and anxiety when starting certain medications.
Which blood pressure drug is right for you?
Controlling high blood pressure involves trial and error. It may take more than one medication to do the job, and the dosages may need to be adjusted over time. |
The medications your doctor prescribes may depend on your underlying health issues.
Recent Blog Articles
Why follow a vaccine schedule for children?
CAR-T immunotherapy for prostate cancer?
Boosting your child's immune system
Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness — and may even lengthen lives
The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters is soaring, but are they safe?
Helping children make friends: What parents can do
Want to stop harmful drinking? AA versus SMART Recovery
Mpox is back: What to know and do
How well do you score on brain health?
When should your teen or tween start using skin products?
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