Mucinex Fast-MAX Products: Recall - Incorrect Labeling
Consumers could take a product with undeclared levels of acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, phenylephrine and/or diphenhydramine. (Source: FDA MedWatch)
Source: FDA MedWatch - April 22, 2015 Category: American Health Source Type: news
When Seasonal Allergies Get Serious
By Lacie Glover for U.S. News
Spring is finally here, and many regions in the U.S. are beginning to thaw after a treacherous winter. Many of us are eager to get outside to welcome back warmer weather.
But if you’re one of 50 million Americans with seasonal allergies, you might be dreading spring as much as others look forward to it. Spring allergy season is the worst time of year for most allergy sufferers, although some regions experience allergy-inducing weather year-round.
For most people, seasonal allergies are not severe, and over-the-counter medications are sufficient to deal with occasional flare-ups of sneezin...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - April 12, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
A Troubling Potential Link Between Sleep Aids And Mental Illness
In today's "always on," high-stress world, it has become commonplace to turn to over-the-counter sleep aids for a little help with drifting off into dreamland at night. However, that habit, if made a consistent one, could lead to potentially serious damage when it comes to ones mental health.
A new study zeroing in on anticholinergic drugs -- a category that includes common non-prescription sleeping aids and antihistamines like Benadryl -- found that the long-term use of such medications in higher doses can lead to an increased risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, in the future. It's the first study...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - April 7, 2015 Category: Science Source Type: news
Medication and Sleep
This article was adapted from a previous article written by Dr. Moore for his column “Kevlar for the Mind.” (Source: Psych Central)
Source: Psych Central - March 30, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Bret Moore, PsyD Tags: Anti-anxiety Antidepressants Atypical Antipsychotics Benzodiazepines Depression Disorders General Medications Sleep Insomnia sleep disorder Sleeping Pills Source Type: news
Non-controlled and over-the-counter drugs of abuse
2.5 out of 5 stars
Abuse of Medications That Theoretically Are Without Abuse Potential. Reeves RR et al. South Med J 2015 Mar;108:151-157.
Abstract
This review of noncontrolled prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can be and have been abused for non-medical or recreational purposes is rather sketchy and anecdotal (as the authors admit,) but nevertheless contains some useful information.
Classes of drugs discussed include:
Cold & Cough products: pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, oxymetazoline, dextromethorphan
Anticholinergics: diphenhydramine, benztropine, trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
Antipsychotics: quetiapine,...
Source: The Poison Review - March 24, 2015 Category: Toxicology Authors: Leon Tags: Medical cough/cold preparations dextromethorphan medication abuse otc over-the-counter Source Type: news
Medication and Anxiety
Medication can be an effective approach for managing various types of anxiety such as panic, hyperarousal, and constant worry. However, contrary to popular belief and subtle messages from pharmaceutical companies, medication is far from a cure. In fact, when it comes to “cures” for most psychiatric conditions, the data tends to support psychotherapy.
For example, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) responds very well to psychotherapy, whereas the positive effects of medication are somewhat limited. The same is true for panic disorder. Although certain types of medication are very good at relieving panic sympt...
Source: Psych Central - March 11, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Bret Moore, PsyD Tags: Anti-anxiety Antidepressants Benzodiazepines Disorders General Medications Panic Disorder anti-anxiety medications Drug Dependency Fear Hyperarousal Sedatives Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor snri Ssri Substance Abuse Source Type: news
Study: Popular Over-The-Counter Drugs May Increase Dementia Risk
Popular non-prescription and prescription medications, including the active ingredient in Benadryl, have been linked to increased risk of developing dementia by a study published in a top-tier medical journal. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)
Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News - January 29, 2015 Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: David DiSalvo Source Type: news
Common anticholinergic drugs like Benadryl linked to increased dementia risk
This study is another reminder to periodically evaluate the all drugs you’re taking. Look at each one to determine if it’s really helping,” says Dr. Sarah Berry, a geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “I’ve seen people who have been on anticholinergic medications for bladder control for years and they are completely incontinent. These drugs obviously aren’t helping.”
Many drugs have a stronger effect on older people than younger people. With age, the kidneys and liver clear drugs more slowly, so drug levels in the blood remain higher for a lon...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - January 29, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Beverly Merz Tags: Alzheimer's Disease Drugs and Supplements Mental Health anticholinergic drugs Source Type: news
Over-the-Counter Medicines Linked to Dementia
Ingredient in common over-the-counter medications such as Benadryl linked to dementia, study shows. (Source: ABC News: Health)
Source: ABC News: Health - January 28, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Health Source Type: news
Media dementia scare over hay fever and sleep drugs
Conclusion
This large US prospective cohort study suggests a link between those taking high levels of anticholinergic medicines for more than three years and developing dementia in adults over 65.
The main statistically significant finding was in a group taking the equivalent of any of the following medications daily for more than three years:
xybutynin chloride, 5mg
chlorpheniramine maleate, 4mg
olanzapine, 2.5mg
meclizine hydrochloride, 25mg
doxepin hydrochloride, 10mg
These are not unrealistic doses of medicine, so the results may be applicable to a significant proportion of older adults.
Th...
Source: NHS News Feed - January 27, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medication Neurology Source Type: news
How popular hayfever pills 'could raise Alzheimer's risk' by more than 50%
Antihistamines Piriton and Benadryl, sleep remedy Nytol, and Ditropan - to treat an overactive bladder - have all been linked to Alzheimer's, a study by the University of Washington found. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - January 27, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Study suggests sleeping drugs can increase risk of Alzheimer’s
Nytol, Benadryl, Ditropan and Piriton among the medications identified by scientists as raising likelihood of dementia Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - January 27, 2015 Category: Science Authors: Press Association Tags: Alzheimer's Drugs Older people Dementia Health Science US news World news Source Type: news
Sleep remedies and hayfever pills 'more than DOUBLE the risk of Alzheimer's'
Antihistamines Piriton and Benadryl, sleep remedy Nytol, and Ditropan - to treat an overactive bladder - have all been linked to Alzheimer's, a study by the University of Washington found. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - January 26, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Higher dementia risk linked to more use of common drugs
A large study links a significantly increased risk for developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, to taking commonly used medications with anticholinergic effects at higher doses or for a longer time. Many older people take these medications, which include nonprescription diphenhydramine (Benadryl). (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - January 26, 2015 Category: Science Source Type: news
Hayfever drugs raise risk of Alzheimer's disease, say scientists
Scientists at the University of Washington say pensioners taking over-the-counter drugs like Benadryl and Nytol should tell their doctors and stop taking medication if it is not needed (Source: Telegraph Health)
Source: Telegraph Health - January 26, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: piriton alzheimer's nytol dementia benadryl Source Type: news
