http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/index.html en-us © 2007 Medletter Associates, LLC. All rights reserved. customerservice@johnshopkinshealthalerts.com webmaster@iproduction.com Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:10:24 CDT Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:10:24 CDT IPS - www.iproduction.com 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 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 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 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 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 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 "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 Medical nonadherence -- failing to take medications according to directions -- is a major healthcare problem, accounting for more than $300 billion in unnecessary medical costs annually due to adverse drug reactions, emergency department visits, and worsening health. http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prescription_drugs/660-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 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