The People's Perspective on Medicine
Are People In Pain Committing Suicide For Lack of Opioids?
When people in severe pain are denied access to effective pain meds, it's a travesty! Are pain patients dying because of a lack of opioids?
Prednisone Withdrawal: Can You Ever Stop Corticosteroids?
Corticosteroids are prescribed to millions of people. Many may not be informed about side effects or strategies for prednisone withdrawal.
How to Sleep During Anxious Times
Many people are finding the news of the day overwhelming. We offer tips on getting to sleep during anxious times like these.
Prozac Poop Out and Other Drug Drop Offs
If a medication you have taken for years stops working, it can be disastrous. In the case of fluoxetine, we call it Prozac Poop Out.
How Dangerous Is It to Stop Taking Aspirin?
The US Preventive Services Task Force says millions of people should stop taking aspirin to prevent a heart attack. Better be careful!
How To Stop Duloxetine (Cymbalta) Without Withdrawal Symptoms
Millions of people take antidepressants for anxiety, arthritis, depression, nerve pain or fibromyalgia. Are they told how to stop duloxetine?
Stopping Zyrtec (Cetirizine) Led to Itchy Nightmare
When people take cetirizine for allergy symptoms they do not think about side effects when they stop the drug. But reports of withdrawal itching continue!
Stopping Antihistamine Leads to Unbelievable Itching
Abruptly stopping the antihistamine cetirizine (Zyrtec) led to unbelievable itching. The doctor who reported this had not seen it in the medical literature.
Withdrawal Results from Refusal to Renew Alprazolam
Over 5 million people take alprazolam (Xanax) for anxiety. If a doctor does not renew alprazolam prescriptions he can trigger some very nasty symtoms!
Zolpidem for Insomnia | COVID-Related Anxiety
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 Risks for Persistent Shoulder Pain?
Gabapentin is taken by nine million Americans. Many of those prescriptions are off label. What are some gabapentin risks? Beware confusion and depression.
Stopping Zolpidem (Ambien) for Insomnia Can Be Challenging
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.
Stopping Ultracet (Tramadol + Acetaminophen) Led to Withdrawal
Because of the opioid epidemic many physicians have stopped prescribing drugs like hydrocodone. Is tramadol safer? Stopping Ultracet can be challenging.
Decongestant Spray Addiction is Hard to Kick
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!
Why Popular Heartburn Drugs PPIs Are Linked to Premature Deaths
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?
Will CBD Help Opioid Addicts Kick Their Habits?
A new study suggests that cannabidiol might help some people with drug-use disorder kick their habits. It seems to ease cravings and anxiety.
New Concerns About Gabapentin and Pregabalin (Lyrica) for Nerve Pain
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?
Benzodiazepine Dependence | A Hard Habit to Kick
Getting off benzos can be tough. Benzodiazepine dependence is more common than many people realize. Symptoms can be davastating. A SLOW taper is essential!.
How To Stop Venlafaxine: Very, VERY Slowly!
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!
How to Beat Nose Spray Dependence One Nostril at a Time
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?
Show 1153: How to Listen to TV Drug Commercials
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.
What Is the Other Drug Epidemic?
Researchers say there is another drug epidemic in addition to opioids. Doctors are prescribing more benzodiazepines than ever for longer periods of time.
Can You Overcome an Afrin Addiction?
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.
Getting Off Venlafaxine Can Be Incredibly Challenging
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.
The Zyrtec Itch is Unbearable | Where’s the FDA?
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
Why Is Antidepressant Withdrawal So Hard?
Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms were not recognized for decades. Now the FDA requires a warning about "discontinuation syndrome." Are patients warned about this devastating condition?
Stopping Duloxetine Leads to Terrible Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and 'brain zaps' can make coming off duloxetine (Cymbalta) a terrifying ordeal.
How Long Will Dizziness Last After Stopping Lexapro?
One reader still experiences bouts of vertigo a month after stopping Lexapro. When might this withdrawal symptom disappear?
Can You Avoid Family Fights Over the Holidays?
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?
Will Stopping Aspirin Lead to A Heart Attack?
Low-dose aspirin is frequently prescribed to heart patients to prevent blood clots. Can stopping aspirin suddenly increase the risk for heart attacks?
How to Stop an Antidepressant Without Difficulties
It can be hard to stop an antidepressant when discontinuation triggers horrible symptoms. Here's one way to get past them.
Stopping Cetirizine Led to Itching Like Crazy
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.
Could Mom Be Suffering Cough Syrup Withdrawal?
When an older person was suddenly deprived of her cough medicine, she developed nausea, diarrhea, back pain and malaise. Is it cough syrup withdrawal?