medications library

 

There are medications for just about anything, whether it's a headache or something more serious. Get informed about prescription and over-the-counter drugs and medicine.

Featured Article:  How Aspirin Works

Feel a bit of a headache coming on? Muscle aches from yesterday's workout too distracting? Arthritis making that knitting project a pain? Discover how aspirin and other analgesics dull the pain and find out what else they're good for. See more »

How Zyloprim Works

How Zyloprim Works

Benjamin Franklin, Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton all had something in common: gout. How does a drug named Zyloprim ease this "disease of kings"?

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Is alcohol more dangerous than ecstasy?

Is alcohol more dangerous than ecstasy?

In Britain, illegal drugs are ranked as A, B, or C. Class A is supposed to be the most harmful, and Class C is supposed to be the least harmful. A recent study shows that the rankings may be all mixed up.

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Top 10 Weirdest Prescription Drug Side Effects

Top 10 Weirdest Prescription Drug Side Effects

Rainbow-colored pee? No, you're not crazy -- it could be a side effect of a medication you're taking. What's the weirdest thing a drug can do?

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What are statins?

What are statins?

Statins fight that ugly villain -- cholesterol. And they fight that foe well. But do these drugs pose adverse side effects? Some doctors fear they cause memory loss in certain patients.

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Why are antidepressants the most prescribed drug in the U.S.?

Why are antidepressants the most prescribed drug in the U.S.?

Doctors are prescribing more antidepressant drugs than ever. What does this trend suggest? Are these drugs being overprescribed, or are patients simply more comfortable with confiding in doctors about depression?

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Why would you take poison as medicine?

Why would you take poison as medicine?

Sticks and stones may break your bones, but tarantula venom may prevent you from having a heart attack. Could some of the world's most fearsome creatures be harboring cures for disease?

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10 Most Profitable Drugs

10 Most Profitable Drugs

We often hear that antidepressants, cholesterol medicines, blood pressure drugs and countless other prescription medications are widely used in the U.S. How do the most commonly-used prescription drugs compare in terms of sales?

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Blood Pressure Medications

Blood Pressure Medications

High blood pressure is the leading cause of death among Americans. Fortunately, there are a number of blood pressure medications that can vastly reduce a patient's risk. Learn more about blood pressure medications.

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History of Insulin

Insulin therapy is a lifesaver for those with type 1 diabetes. Learn the history of insulin, how it was first extracted, where it comes from, and which type is used today.

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Understanding Drug Allergies

An unexpected allergic reaction to a drug is rare, but the symptoms can be severe. Effects can range from skin rashes to hives to life-threatening reactions. The key is being informed.

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What is OxyContin?

Oxycontin is a drug frequently referenced in the news. Just how dangerous is it?

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Why can some medicines be taken as pills, while other medicines have to be injected with a needle?

Medications are put into the body in various ways. Why are some injected and others taken in pill form?

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Understanding Anti-Infective Medications

If you’ve ever been given an antibiotic, such as penicillin, to treat an infection, then you’ve taken an anti-infective medication. This category of drugs also includes antivirals and vaccines. Learn about how anti-infective medications work.

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Understanding Cardiovascular Medications

Cardiovascular medications range from antianginals that pump more oxygen to the heart to vasodilators that widen blood vessels. Learn helpful information about some of the common categories for cardiovascular medications.

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Understanding Central Nervous System Medications

Central nervous system medications are used to treat the effects of a wide variety of medical conditions and diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and Parkinson’s disease. Learn more about how these medications work.

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Understanding Gastrointestinal Medications

Few things are more uncomfortable than a gastrointestinal issue, whether it’s nausea, diarrhea, or an ulcer. Thankfully, there are a variety of medications designed to treat stomach and bowel problems. Learn more about gastrointestinal medications.

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Understanding Hormone Medications

Hormones are substances that are produced and secreted to stimulate and regulate body functions. Hormone medications mimic the effects of naturally produced hormones. Learn about hormone medications, including oral contraceptives and anti-inflammatory drugs.

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Understanding Medications for the Ears and Eyes

Medications for the ears and the eyes range from antibiotics and steroids for ear infections to beta blockers and carbonic anhydrate inhibitors for glaucoma. Read more information about how ear and eye prescription drugs work.

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Understanding Respiratory Medications

Whether your problem is as minor as a cough or as serious as an asthma attack, the drug likely prescribed for you will fall under the category of respiratory medications. Learn how these medications work.

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Where do the names for prescription drugs come from?

With prescription drugs advertised on TV all the time now, do you ever wonder how they come up with the names for new drugs?

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