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The FDA Black Box

Have you heard about the other kind of black box? Not the kind in an airplane, but the kind on your prescription medications. A black box on the label or printed materials with your prescription medications can indicate the potential life threatening side effects. Let’s keep things in perspective here — if transportation was labeled like medication, lots of methods of travel would earn black boxes. And NOT taking a black box medication may be even more deadly than taking it. Avandia (a diabetes medication) received a black box warning in May 2007 for slightly raising a person’s chances of … Continue reading →

Dealing with Occasional Dizziness

There are different types of dizziness — some that require a doctor’s attention. But if you experience occasional, mild bouts of dizziness, you probably don’t have to worry too much. Here are some tips to help you overcome occasional bouts of mild dizziness. Focus on a fixed point. If a sudden bout of dizziness comes on, find something still to look at. This will give your brain visual information about balance — that window frame or bookshelf isn’t moving so maybe the floor ISN’T off-kilter. If dizziness attacks in a moving vehicle, try to find a steady point on the … Continue reading →

Take Generics Safely

Not all medicines are created equal. Although generics are equivalent to name brand medications in most ways, you may find that your generic medication doesn’t work exactly the same way your name brand prescription does. I experienced this when I switched from a name brand antidepressant to a generic. On the generic, I find that some of the side effects are milder. I’m very happy with my switch! However, some people find that switching to a generic is less effective for their health issues. Here are some things you can do to make sure your generics are working right for … Continue reading →

ADHD: To Medicate or not to Medicate–That is the Question

Not long ago I received written warnings about my two stepdaughters’ ADHD medication in the mail. It was sent to me by Rite Aid pharmacy, where I pick up their meds. I decided to investigate the issue further. In April of 2006, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that the FDA had voted to issue a “black box warning” for patients taking controlled substances as a treatment for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). (The vote had a narrow margin of eight to seven.) What happened was that the FDA had decided to take a closer look at the potential cardiovascular … Continue reading →