http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/index.html en-us © 2008 MediZine LLC. All rights reserved. customerservice@johnshopkinshealthalerts.com webmaster@iproduction.com Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:01:22 CST Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:01:22 CST IPS - www.iproduction.com 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… http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/3087-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:00:00 CDT '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… http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/3079-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:00:00 CDT http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/2916-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:00:00 CST 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. … http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/2153-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:00:00 CDT 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. … http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/1933-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Tue, 08 Apr 2008 06:00:00 CDT 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. … http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/1782-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Tue, 25 Dec 2007 06:00:00 CST 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… http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/1522-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Tue, 11 Sep 2007 06:00:00 CDT The Prescription Drugs Glossary from Johns Hopkins Health Alerts is derived from The Johns Hopkins White Paper: Prescription Drugs. http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/930-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Sat, 14 Apr 2007 13:30:44 CDT 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… http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/819-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Tue, 29 May 2007 06:00:00 CDT "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. http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/661-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:33:53 CST 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. http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/660-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:03:16 CST 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 reaction to a medication that most other people can take without difficulty. The "typical" effects a medication produces are established through research and clinical use. http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/657-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:00:00 CST