logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine
woman with spring allergies blowing nose in a field of wildflowersAllergiesJoe Graedon - September 24, 2023

Reader Spanks Us Over Phenylephrine Decongestant!

Phenylephrine is in cold, cough and allergy pills. The FDA says it doesn't work! How about the phenylephrine decongestant in nose sprays?

Joe Graedon - September 21, 2023

Is Aspirin a Miracle or a Menace?

Terry Graedon - September 18, 2023

What Accounts for Blood Tests Showing Liver Failure?

Joe Graedon - September 18, 2023

Can Your Medicine Cause Confusion or Memory Loss?

Terry Graedon - September 18, 2023

How Can You Ease Heartburn Symptoms?

Woman scratching itchy arm
AllergiesJoe Graedon - September 11, 2023

Unbearable Itching After Stopping Antihistamines Like Xyzal or Zyrtec

Antihistamines can calm allergic reactions. But when some people stop cetirizine or levocetirizine, they may experience unbearable itching!

person with swollen lip called angioedema
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - September 11, 2023

Lisinopril and Angioedema: A Life-Threatening Side Effect

Serious lisinopril side effects can occur after many years. Doctors may miss the diagnosis if lisinopril and angioedema affect the abdomen.

a bottle of Nexium 40mg
Acid RefluxTerry Graedon - September 10, 2023

Multiple Strategies Are Needed for Stopping Heartburn Drugs without Pain

Stopping heartburn drugs like Nexium can lead to rebound acid. Gradually tapering the dose along with natural approaches help.

AnxietyJoe Graedon - September 7, 2023

Benzodiazepine Dependence | A Hard Habit to Kick

Getting off benzos can be tough. Benzodiazepine dependence is common. Beware "BIND": Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction.

naloxone (Narcan Nasal Spray) now available OTC
Drug AddictionJoe Graedon - September 7, 2023

Will Naloxone (Narcan) Really Save Lives?

Will over-the-counter naloxone (Narcan Nasal Spray) save lives? This opioid antagonist can restore breathing in minutes. Will it be used?

bottles of medications with warning stickers and information
DepressionJoe Graedon - September 7, 2023

Antidepressant Combination (Amitriptyline & Sertraline) Caused Disastrous Convulsions

An antidepressant combination, sertraline (Zoloft) and amitriptyline (Elavil) increased the risk for seizures. Did it lead to brain damage?

mercury amalgam filling
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - September 7, 2023

The Fuss Over Amalgam Fillings Intensifies

A proposed FDA safety alert on amalgam fillings disappeared almost without a trace. Many dentists were glad. The pros and cons of amalgam.

Alarm clock in the middle of the night
DementiaTerry Graedon - September 3, 2023

Can Raising the Head of the Bed Beat Insomnia?

One reader found that elevating the head of the bed resulted in much better sleep patterns. It is also affordable, without side effects.

man using an asthma inhaler
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - August 31, 2023

Will Asthma Inhalers Weaken Bones?

Asthma inhalers containing steroids calm inflammation in the airways and help with breathing. Do they increase the risk for fractures?

man with his head in a clamp
Alzheimer’s DiseaseJoe Graedon - August 28, 2023

Are My Medications Causing Me Memory Problems?

Are your medicines messing with your mind? Could memory problems be due to drugs rather than aging or dementia? Beware anticholinergics.

Woman weighing herself on a scale to see if new weight loss medicine is helping
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - August 28, 2023

How Well Does the New Weight Loss Medicine Work?

Shedding pounds fast has become a hot topic with new weight loss medicine liraglutide and semaglutide (Wegovy). What are the pros and cons?

A bottle of generic delayed-release Duloxetine (Cymbalta) 30 mg
DepressionTerry Graedon - August 28, 2023

Duloxetine (Cymbalta) Side Effects & Withdrawal

The anti-depressant Cymbalta (duloxetine) can cause a LOT of side effects, but stopping it suddenly could trigger nasty withdrawal symptoms.

man with high Lp(a) having a heart attack undergoing CPR
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - August 24, 2023

Is Aspirin Underutilized for Preventing Second Heart Attacks?

Guidelines recommend regular aspirin use to prevent second heart attacks. In the poorest countries, though, this cheap drug is underutilized.

A disoriented man with memory problems and dementia holding his face is dismay
Alzheimer’s DiseaseJoe Graedon - August 24, 2023

Aduhelm for Alzheimer’s: Breakthrough or Boondoggle?

A physician survey and Congressional committee report are critical of the FDA's accelerated approval of Aduhelm for Alzheimer's disease. Why?

obese woman, overweight
Diabetic Neuropathy (nerve pain)Joe Graedon - August 24, 2023

Lyrica and Weight Gain | Can It Be Reversed?

Nerve pain (neuropathy) can be incredibly challenging. FDA-approved drugs can have unexpected side effects including fatigue, dizziness and brain fog. Lyrica and weight gain is another complication.

Woman suffering from dementia and memory loss
Alzheimer’s DiseaseJoe Graedon - August 21, 2023

Are Your Drugs Raising Your Risk for Dementia?

Are common over-the-counter and prescription drugs capable of raising your risk for dementia? Which medicines are caught in this tangled web?

woman with a sunburn on her back
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - August 21, 2023

You Could Be Risking Bad Sunburns If You Are Taking One of These Common Medications

Prescribers don't always warn patients that some medications can sensitize the skin to the sun's rays and lead to bad sunburns.

a person checking their blood sugar with a pin prick device
DiabetesJoe Graedon - August 21, 2023

Is There a Dark Side to the Diabetes Drug Jardiance?

Jardiance is being advertised on television. Watch the smiles, singing and dancing! There are also some serious risks. What are they?

close up of three doctors faces wearing surgical scrubs and masks
DiabetesJoe Graedon - August 17, 2023

If You Need Surgery While on Ozempic or Wegovy BE VERY CAREFUL!

Surgery while on Ozempic or Wegovy or other GLP-1 agonists such as Victoza, Saxenda, or Mounjaro requires special caution. Beware aspiration!

man smelling his armpit to check for body odor
Body OdorJoe Graedon - August 17, 2023

Is Your Aluminum Antiperspirant Setting You Up for Smellier Armpits?

If you are like most people you use an aluminum antiperspirant daily. What happens if you stop? Body odor, right? Now there's an explanation.

man with his head in a clamp
Alzheimer’s DiseaseJoe Graedon - August 14, 2023

Will Sleeping Pill with Diphenhydramine Lead to Memory Loss?

Memory loss is a terrible challenge. Might commonly prescribed medications or OTC antihistamines be to blame?

Canadian flag over Vancouver
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - August 14, 2023

Why Buy Brand Name Drugs from Canada?

Many people worry about generic drug quality, but brand name meds can be pricey. Can you really buy brand name drugs from Canada for less?

man sitting on toilet with diarrhea
DiabetesJoe Graedon - August 14, 2023

Metformin (Glucophage) Side Effects & Complications

Metformin (Glucophage) is the most popular drug for type 2 diabetes, but it can be hard on the GI tract and kidneys. Metformin vs. cancer?

Arizona mailboxes
PodcastsTerry Graedon - August 10, 2023

Show 1351: Are You Risking Your Life Trusting Mail Order Medicines?

A mother whose child relies on medicine to prevent transplant rejection found that his medicines lose potency during shipping.

Overweight man holding his fat stomach
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - August 10, 2023

Will Ozempic or Wegovy Weight Loss Last?

Semaglutide can help people lose serious weight. But what happens to Wegovy weight loss when you stop using the drug? Will you regain pounds?

soft drinks in cans seen from above
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - August 10, 2023

Do You Love Your Liver Enough?

Are you taking care of your liver? Most Americans take their livers for granted. Coffee and soft drinks have different impacts.

skull and crossbones on pill bottle
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - August 7, 2023

If a Medicine Kills You Why Can’t Your Family Sue the Drug Company?

When can you sue the drug company for disability or death? If you have been warned of an adverse drug reaction you could be out of luck.

Man with painful arthritis hands
ankylosing spondylitisJoe Graedon - August 7, 2023

TNF Blockers and Your Immune System: Beware IMIDs

TNF blockers like Enbrel, Humira and Remicade treat IMIDs like psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Can they also cause these conditions?

man measuring his fat belly bulge with a measuring tape
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - August 3, 2023

Is the Diabetes Drug Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) Better Than Ozempic for Weight Loss?

Will Mounjaro (tirzepatide) become the next big weight loss drug? How does it compare to Ozempic? What side effects should you be aware of?

a glass of gin and tonic with ice and a lime slice
AgingJoe Graedon - August 3, 2023

Alcohol for Longer Life? How Much Is Enough and How Much Is Too Much?

Is alcohol for longer life real or a myth? How many drinks count as moderate alcohol consumption? Does stress reduction increase longevity?

Metformin Prescription Pills With Identification Numbers
CancerJoe Graedon - August 3, 2023

Is Metformin a Miracle or a Menace?

A diabetes drug makes headlines! Is metformin a miracle because of anticancer and anti-aging activity or a menace due to serious side effects?

man with high Lp(a) having a heart attack undergoing CPR
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - July 31, 2023

Is Lp(a) the Best Kept Secret in Heart Disease?

Doctors rarely test for Lp(a), but 1 out of 5 people have high levels. Statins raise Lp(a) but a low-carb diet lowers this key risk factor.