Abandoned, but not Buried: Meridia and Sibutramine Unlike many other dangerous prescription weight loss products, Meridia and its active ingredient were never officially banned by the FDA. The compound was saved from this fate by its manufacturers, including Abbott Labs.…
Category: Health
What Happened to Fen-Phen?
Deadly Side Effects: Major Heart Dangers Stop Fen-Phen Craze One of the most infamous FDA cases ever, fen-phen only lasted a couple years on the market in the late 1990’s. But its meteoric rise and fall affected FDA and public…
Common Adderall Side Effects
Adderall is a prescription medication used to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This medication uses two different types of active ingredients, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, to control the effects of ADHD for patients. However, a major concern with Adderall is the…
Generic vs. Brand Name Lipitor
1. The top generic competitor to Lipitor (atorvastatin) comes from Ranbaxy Laboratories. 2. Pfizer’s huge recent efforts to discount Lipitor with its $4 Dollar Lipitor Card have extended its battle with generic manufacturers. 3. Generics aren’t the only pharmaceutical products…
Viagra vs. Cialis
Erectile dysfunction (ED) was once a topic rarely discussed, even in private. Now, ED treatments are among the most commonly advertised products on daytime television. With the glut of purported ED treatments flooding the market, two prescription treatment options have…
Review of Popular Anti-Aging Cosmetics
What is the science of aging? We all know the effect – dry, wrinkly, flaky skin. But the causes are also more straight-forward than you think. On a basic level, skin dries out as we age due to decreased efficacy…
Cosmetics for Acne and Eczema
Acne and Eczema are two of the most common skin ailments for Americans. Whether triggered by contaminants or predisposed through genetics, both conditions can cause embarrassing breakouts that you will want to control or cover up. Many people make the…
The Dangers of Online Pharmacies
It is no secret that pharmaceuticals, especially prescription medications, are not cheap. In fact, many people go without the medicines they need simply because they cannot afford the high cost. This sparks interest in a relatively new phenomenon – the…
Garlic–Magic Cure or Herbal Placebo?
Summary: Raw, crushed garlic: A Raw, bottled garlic: B+ Garlic supplements: (Grades vary. Average score: B-) Note: Beware any supplement that makes bold safety and efficacy claims on the front of the bottle and hides a “This statement has not…
What Are Parabens?
Preservatives play an important role in our society. Many pre-processed foods include preservatives to extend shelf life. But did you know that many common cosmetics include preservatives as well, including parabens? Parabens show up in everything from makeup to toothpaste…