One reader found a way to get off a PPI without withdrawal symptoms: Eat just one low-carb meal a day to reduce discomfort.
Abruptly stopping the antihistamine cetirizine (Zyrtec) led to unbelievable itching. The doctor who reported this had not seen it in the medical literature.
Over 5 million people take alprazolam (Xanax) for anxiety. If a doctor does not renew alprazolam prescriptions he can trigger some very nasty symtoms!
Has the coronavirus been causing you anxiety, depression or insomnia? You would not be alone. Prescriptions for drugs like zolpidem for insomnia are way up!
Gabapentin is taken by nine million Americans. Many of those prescriptions are off label. What are some gabapentin risks? Beware confusion and depression.
Have you ever had trouble getting a good night's sleep? Who hasn't? That's why sleeping pills are so popular. But stopping zolpidem can be a challenge.
Because of the opioid epidemic many physicians have stopped prescribing drugs like hydrocodone. Is tramadol safer? Stopping Ultracet can be challenging.
Have you ever had a stufy nose? Were you tempted to use a nose spray? Did you develop decongestant spray addiction? Is there a way to kick the habit? Yes!
Acid-suppressing drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are go-to drugs for heartburn. Should you be concerned that PPIs are linked to premature deaths?
A new study suggests that cannabidiol might help some people with drug-use disorder kick their habits. It seems to ease cravings and anxiety.
Over 10 million people take GABA agonists for nerve pain. A recent report raises new concerns about gabapentin and pregabalin. What are the pros and cons?
Getting off benzos can be tough. Benzodiazepine dependence is more common than many people realize. Symptoms can be davastating. A SLOW taper is essential!.
Are you surprised to learn that many antidepressant drugs are hard to stop? The discontinuation syndrome can be awful. Learn how to stop venlafaxine slowly!
Decongestant nasal sprays such as Afrin or Sinex can lead to rebound congestion if they are overused. How can you overcome such nose spray dependence?
What do TV drug commercials tell you about the medicine you might be taking? What other sources do you use to learn about your drugs? Join the conversation.
Researchers say there is another drug epidemic in addition to opioids. Doctors are prescribing more benzodiazepines than ever for longer periods of time.
One reader reports that spicy green chile salsa would open up the sinuses enough to help break an Afrin addiction. Others have used steroid nasal sprays or even saline spray to accomplish this goal.
Effexor (venlafaxine) is a frequently prescribed antidepressant. But getting off venlafaxine can be extremely difficult. Many patients are not told how to taper the drug VERY slowly.
We have reported "the Zyrtec itch" to the FDA with disappointing results. Hundreds of people have reported problems with itching when they stop Zyrtec suddenly. The FDA doesn't respond to our concerns
Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms were not recognized for decades. Now the FDA requires a warning about "discontinuation syndrome." Are patients warned about this devastating condition?
Withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and 'brain zaps' can make coming off duloxetine (Cymbalta) a terrifying ordeal.
One reader still experiences bouts of vertigo a month after stopping Lexapro. When might this withdrawal symptom disappear?
How will you cope with the stresses of shopping, cooking and family feuds? Do you need anti-anxiety meds or is there another way to prevent family fights?
Low-dose aspirin is frequently prescribed to heart patients to prevent blood clots. Can stopping aspirin suddenly increase the risk for heart attacks?
It can be hard to stop an antidepressant when discontinuation triggers horrible symptoms. Here's one way to get past them.
Many people find that stopping cetirizine suddenly leads to itching that cannot be ignored. It may take several weeks of withdrawal for the itch to subside.
When an older person was suddenly deprived of her cough medicine, she developed nausea, diarrhea, back pain and malaise. Is it cough syrup withdrawal?
Have you ever been told how to stop medications? It is rare for health professionals to provide detailed withdrawal instructions. The FDA has not helped.
Can you learn how to sleep without zolpidem? There are many nondrug approaches, but you may need to taper the dose of zolpidem first.
Tramadol has become a popular prescription pain reliever now that opioids are under a cloud. Have you ever tried to stop tramadol? It can be challenging!
While an antidepressant might help with hot flashes and night sweats, stopping it could lead to withdrawal symptoms. A nondrug approach might be useful.
Benzodiazepine drugs are frequently used to ease anxiety and sleep problems. It can be very challenging to stop a drug such as Klonopin for insomnia.
Tramadol works to ease pain for some patients. Others find that tramadol (Ultram) side effects and withdrawal can be unbearable. NEVER stop it suddenly!