Used for: Bipolar disorder, diabetic neuropathy, epilepsy, and fibromyalgia. What to try instead: If you have epilepsy, keep taking your meds and ask your doctor about whether you need a drug-level check, adjustment of your dosing schedule, or a different medication.
Talk to your doctor about other options that might be safer and work better. Used for: Depression and anxiety. Examples: Fluoxetine Prozac , sertraline Zoloft , and trazodone Desyrel. What to try instead: Counseling or psychotherapy can often help as much or more than medication, especially for mild depression. Doing so could trigger withdrawl symptoms. Used for: High blood pressure.
Examples: All drugs used to treat the condition, including ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril Zestril , beta-blockers such as propranolol Inderal , metoprolol Lopressor , diuretics such as furosemide Lasix and hydrochlorothiazide, and calcium-channel blockers such as amlodipine Norvasc.
What to try instead: Losing weight—with exercise and a healthy diet— can reduce or even eliminate the need for drugs. What to try instead: There is scant evidence showing that those drugs work, so first try nondrug therapies such as a heating pad, exercise, biofeedback, physical therapy, progressive relaxation, massage, and yoga.
You might also want to try an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen Advil and generic or naproxen Aleve and generic. Used for: Angina chest pain.
What to try instead: There is no substitute for nitroglycerin, but you can reduce your risk of dizziness by sitting down before taking it and remaining seated for up to 5 minutes afterward, says our Chief Medical Consultant, Marvin M. Lipman, M. Used for: Insomnia. What to try instead : New treatment guidelines for insomnia suggest that type of talk therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy may work as well as or even better than sleeping pills.
Also try improving your sleep by avoiding caffeine and alcohol after dinner and turning off computers and TV within 1 hour of bedtime. Editor's Note: This article and related materials are made possible by a grant from the state Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber Education Grant Program, which is funded by the multistate settlement of consumer-fraud claims regarding the marketing of the prescription drug Neurontin gabapentin.
Sign In. Become a Member. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. These mild to moderate allergic reactions can usually be successfully treated by taking antihistamines. But if you're concerned, or your symptoms don't get better with treatment, call your GP for advice. In rare cases, an antibiotic can cause a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
There may be other allergy symptoms, including an itchy, raised rash hives , feeling or being sick, swelling angioedema , or stomach pain. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. Dial immediately and ask for an ambulance if you think you or someone around you is experiencing anaphylaxis.
Tetracyclines can make your skin sensitive to sunlight and artificial sources of light, such as sun lamps and sunbeds. In very rare cases, fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause disabling, long-lasting or permanent side effects affecting the joints, muscles and nervous system. Stop taking fluoroquinolone treatment straight away and see your GP if you get a serious side effect including:.
0コメント