Medications Archive

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Several medications can maintain or increase bone density. You can choose one based on your health and preferences.

Most of what we read about hip fracture isn't good. It is a major cause of disability, nursing home admissions, and death in older women. But there is a promising trend: hip fractures in the United States have been on the decline since 1996. Although better nutrition, increased physical activity, and education on fall prevention may have played a role, the drop in fractures has also coincided with the widespread availability of bisphosphonates—a class of drugs first approved in 1995 to increase bone density.

Flu season still has a few months left, and it is not too late to get a flu shot if you have not done so already. 
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They may help reduce symptoms of the flu, but they're not for everyone.

Ask the doctor

Q. I take my blood pressure medication twice a day. Or at least I am supposed to, but I sometimes forget the second dose because my evenings tend to be really busy. What can I do?

A. One idea is to leave a sticky note on your bathroom mirror or near your bed as a reminder. Or try using an alarm (either a traditional alarm clock or one on a smartphone) that rings close to the time when you normally go to bed. You might also consider taking the second dose with dinner, assuming your doctor or pharmacist says it is okay to take your particular medicine with food.

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New guidelines and a novel diabetes drug point to new treatment approaches.

When it comes to the cardiovascular dangers from diabetes, the statistics are pretty disheartening: about two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes ultimately die from heart disease or a stroke. But there's progress afoot. Recently updated guidelines and a novel diabetes drug with proven heart benefits offer promise for making a dent in that dire statistic. And in a nod to the importance of early detection, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended that adults ages 40 to 70 who are overweight be screened for diabetes (see "Diabetes screening tests").

Research we're watching

For people who take anti-clotting drugs such as dabigatran (Pradaxa), one serious downside has been the rare but dangerous risk of uncontrolled bleeding in the event of an accident or urgently needed surgery. But in October, the FDA approved idarucizumab (Praxbind), a drug that quickly reverses the effects of dabigatran. Given by injection into a vein, the drug binds to dabigatran and neutralizes its effect, allowing the blood to clot normally.

Dabigatran was approved in 2010 to prevent strokes (most of which are caused by blood clots in the brain) in people with atrial fibrillation. It's also prescribed to prevent and treat venous thromboembolism. Because idarucizumab works specifically on dabigatran, it can't be used as an antidote for similar anti-clotting medications, which include rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), and edoxaban (Savaysa). However, an antidote that works on these drugs is under development, with approval expected within the next year or so.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.