Author: Sara Hooshyar - Page 2

Hospital formularies use evidence-based criteria to select generic drugs that balance safety, effectiveness, and cost. Learn how Pharmacy and Therapeutics committees make these decisions and why they matter for patient care.

Anticoagulants save more lives than they endanger in seniors with atrial fibrillation. Despite fears about falls, evidence shows stroke prevention benefits far outweigh bleeding risks - especially with newer drugs like apixaban.

Generic drugs look different from brand-name pills not because they're less effective, but because U.S. trademark laws require them to have a unique appearance. Learn why this rule exists, how it affects you, and what to do when your pill changes shape or color.

Buspirone augmentation with SSRIs offers a safe, effective way to treat treatment-resistant depression without the weight gain or sexual side effects of other options. Learn how it works, who benefits most, and what to expect.

Hospitals and clinics across the U.S. are struggling to stay open due to severe staffing shortages. Nurses are burned out, patients wait days for care, and rural areas are hit hardest. This isn't a temporary issue-it's a systemic crisis with no easy fix.

Learn how to safely store medications to protect children and pets from accidental poisoning. Discover where to lock meds, why original packaging matters, and how to prevent deadly mix-ups between human and pet drugs.

Alcohol can dangerously raise your INR levels when you're on warfarin, increasing bleeding risk. Learn how drinking affects your blood thinner, what safe limits are, and what to do if your INR spikes.

Antiviral medications treat viral infections like flu, COVID-19, and hepatitis C by blocking virus replication. Learn how drugs like Paxlovid, sofosbuvir, and oseltamivir work, their effectiveness, limitations, and what patients need to know for timely treatment.

Medication shortages are disrupting care across the U.S., with critical drugs like morphine, antibiotics, and chemotherapy agents running out. Learn how hospitals are responding, what patients can do, and why this crisis keeps getting worse.

Color-coded auxiliary labels on medication bottles are critical safety tools that warn of interactions, guide usage, and improve adherence. Learn what each color means, why placement matters, and how they prevent thousands of medication errors each year.