by  James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

The FDA wants you to know that drugs not only interact with other drugs; they also interact with dietary supplements, food and beverages.  Always talk to your doctor and read any information available before starting new medicines.

To prove the point, the FDA has listed examples.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

I don’t know about you, but when I go to the cough-and-cold section of the pharmacy, I feel a little overwhelmed.  I think I know what I want but then see the same brand with just a little different type or amount of ingredients.  Which is better for your symptoms? (Make no mistake, the over-the-counter meds treat symptoms, not the underlying problem.  Many times that’s all you need, just to feel a little better until your body agrees.)

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

A while back there was news on a couple of pharmaceutical companies working on a new drug type that decreased appetite by blocking the same receptors in the brain that stimulate hunger after smoking marijuana.  Early trials showed promise, but later studies proved that, to take an dose of taranabant strong enough to decrease appetite effectively, the side-effects increased also.  The risk of increased anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts was too much so Merck has cancelled further testing and pulled the drug from FDA consideration.

I am disappointed in the failure, but commend Merck for doing the right thing.  It is an example of the time, expense and risk involved in trying to bring a new drug to market.  It is also a good example of a medical news story, highly touted and broadcast initially, with little follow-up.  Get the headlines from big media. Get the real scoop from JHMFD.

Can you think of other examples?

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Heath Ledger is only one of many to die from an accidental overdose. The July 28, 2008 Archives of Internal Medicine found a 360 percent increase in “Fatal Medical Errors” (FME) between 1983 and 2004. The increased percentage was primarily in those that combine prescription medication with street drugs or alcohol. In 1984 there were 92 deaths reported of this nature. By 2004 the number was 3792.

With more emphasis on outpatient, non-hospital care in the past few years, there is less supervision and more powerful medications given than ever before. So what to do?

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

I quit playing competitive basketball in my late 30s because I had seen several weekend warriors near my age who had torn their Achilles. It would just happen out of the blue. To me, it did not seem to be worth the risk. Tendon tears are very painful and sometimes require surgery, and you might have to wear a splint or cast for six weeks to three months.

The FDA has issued a strong warning about an increased risk of tendinitis (inflammation) or tendon rupture (tear) with flouroquinolone antibiotics (such as Avalox, Cipro, Factive, Floxin, Levaquin, Noroxin and Proquin XR).

The warning will be in a “black box” in the package insert. Doctors widely prescribe flouroquinolones for wound, ear, urinary tract, prostate and other infections. They’re usually well tolerated.

So, what is a person to do?

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

So you’re diabetic. Your cholesterol is high, and you’re overweight; you’re at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. You start on medicine that lowers your sugar … but increases your risk for cardiovascular disease even more. Not good.

This is the dilemma in which patients, physicians and drug companies find themselves. Some studies have suggested that certain diabetes drugs may be worsening heart-disease risk. What to do?

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

If we are not supposed to give cold medicines to kids anymore, then what is a parent to do?

Is honey the answer? With good timing a study came out in the December 2007 Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine showing that buckwheat honey is more effective than dextromethorphan (dm) in cough in children 2 and over. (more…)

Almost as soon as news of actor Heath Ledger’s death broke, came news that sleeping pills were reportedly found in his apartment.

As the rumors swirl, we at James Hubbard’s My Family Doctor want to give you the straight truth about these medications. The purpose is not to speculate on this tragic story–on what may or may not have caused Ledger’s death–but instead to help those of you who are wondering what the truth is about these medications–meds that you or a loved one may be taking. (more…)

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Have you heard about the FDA’s new cold-medicines advisory: not to give them to kids under 2? If you’d like to read it for yourself–including the FDA’s bullet-pointed tips–rather than go through the media, here’s a link.

Below is a shorter blurb (originally posted here).

[Posted 01/17/2008] FDA informed consumers and healthcare professionals that the Agency has completed its review of information regarding the safety of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines in children under 2 years of age and recommends that these drugs not be used to treat children in this age group because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur. FDA’s recommendation is based on both the review of the information the Agency received about serious side effects in children in the referenced age group and the discussion and recommendations made at the October 18 -19, 2007, public advisory committee meeting at which this issue was discussed. FDA has not completed its review of information about the safety of OTC cough and cold medicines in children 2 through 11 years of age. See the FDA Public Health Advisory for Agency recommendations regarding this issue.

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

An article in the September 10, 2007, Archives of Internal Medicine notes an almost three-fold increase in the number of serious adverse drug events during the years of 1998 to 2005 reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A serious outcome is defined as death (17.3%), life-threatening, disability, birth defect and outcomes that require hospitalizations or interventions. (more…)