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All Prescription Drugs Special Reports
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The Wait for Generic Biologic Drugs
If you take insulin, Avastin, Remicade, or another biologic drug, you may have wondered why a less expensive generic version isn't available for you. Our new report explains the hurdles drug companies face in creating a true bioequivalent to a brand-name biologic drug.
The health of many people with diabetes depends on taking insulin, a hormone produced naturally by the pancreas. For years, insulin for diabetes was extracted from the pancreases of pigs and cows. Then,… More...
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How Antibiotics and Other Drugs Work
Ever wonder how the medications you take act in your body? This brief guide explains how several classes of popular drugs work.
Thousands of medications are in use today. Here are some of the most common mechanisms by which these drugs achieve their effects:
Antibiotic Drugs -- The development of safe and effective drugs to cure infections was arguably the most significant advance in drug development of the 20th century. Perhaps the most famous example is… More...
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What Is Pharmacogenics and Can It Help You?
'One size fits all' medications may soon be a thing of the past. The science of pharmacogenics holds the promise that one day medications might be tailor-made to a patient's unique genetic profile.
Have you ever wondered why a medication your doctor has prescribed -- for example, a diuretic -- turns out to have little effect on you, while a friend taking the same medication experiences a dramatic benefit? Or perhaps you've had an adverse… More...
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User-Friendly Information Inserts
To most people, the printed 'package inserts' that accompany prescription medications might as well be in ancient Greek. The wording is dense and complex, reading more like a legal document than a guide to prescribing medications safely and appropriately. In this report, Johns Hopkins explains how to read and benefit from the 'highlights' section. … More...
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When Herbs and Prescription Drugs Don’t Mix
Johns Hopkins reviews six popular herbal supplements – ginkgo, garlic, St. John's wort, and others -- that may cause adverse interactions with prescription medication.
Many herbal dietary supplements are considered safe when used as directed, with no serious side effects reported -- yet. But problems with herbal products have been identified. It's important to tell your doctor what supplements you use, to avoid interactions with any prescription drugs you may need to take. … More...
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New Choices in Sleeping Pills
Possibly less addictive, definitely more expensive, the new sleep aids offer hope to those of us who suffer with insomnia – but only after nonpharmacologic approaches have failed.
Insomnia is a common affliction: About a third of Americans report trouble sleeping. More and more, people are resorting to prescription sleep aids to combat insomnia. Prescriptions for sleep aids nearly doubled between 2001 and 2005, from 29 million to 49 million. … More...
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How Medications Work
Ever wonder how the medications you take act in your body? This brief guide explains how several classes of popular drugs work.
Thousands of medications are in use today. Here are some of the most common mechanisms by which these drugs achieve their effects:
Antibiotic Drugs -- The development of safe and effective drugs to cure infections was arguably the most significant advance in drug development of the 20th century. Perhaps the most famous example is… More...
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How To Stay Safe on Coumadin (warfarin)
Michael Streiff, M.D., Medical Director of the Anticoagulation Management Service and Outpatient Clinic at Johns Hopkins, talks about the benefits of self testing for warfarin patients.
Millions of people take Coumadin (warfarin) to help prevent stroke and to treat deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. But warfarin is notorious for not playing well with others -- its effectiveness can be altered by anything from vitamin-K-rich foods to other common medications. A 2006 study published in the… More...
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Ordering Your Drugs Online
“How to buy less expensive medications is one of the top questions I get from my patients,” says Johns Hopkins lung specialist Peter B. Terry, M.D. One way to purchase medications at a reduced cost is to buy them online or by phone from Canadian pharmacies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opposes foreign drug purchases, warning that these sales pose serious safety problems. More...
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Did I Take That Pill...Or Not?
Medical nonadherence -- failing to take medications according to directions -- is a major healthcare problem. Over the past decade, the pharmaceutical industry has come up with an incredible array of medications for a vast number of illnesses. But because of overwhelming nonadherence, the true value of these medications is not being fully realized.
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