The hottest Medication Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Friday Q&A: Ozempic & alcohol; social media & teens; talking to adult children about weight; & erythritol (artificial sweetener) risks

Are You Okay? • 439 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medication Mental health Nutrition Addiction
  1. Some patients on Ozempic report reduced cravings for alcohol and other impulsive behaviors.
  2. Early data suggests that Ozempic may help reduce impulsivity and cravings linked to various habits, but medication alone is unlikely to be a complete solution for complex addictions.
  3. Research indicates that social media can have negative impacts on teen mental health, prompting concerns and further investigation.

Will the WHO Declare Dangerous Diet Drugs Globally Essential? Part 1

Weight and Healthcare • 439 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medication Weight Loss Research Nutrition
  1. The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes lists of essential medications, considering factors like disease prevalence, public health relevance, efficacy, and safety
  2. A request has been submitted to add glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) to the core list of essential medications for the treatment of obesity, sparking debate
  3. The request faces skepticism due to the process of selection, lack of specialized knowledge in the requesting group, and potential conflicts of interest

Insomnia Advice

Thing of Things • 176 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Insomnia Sleep Therapy Medication Advice
  1. If you have occasional insomnia, believing that lying down with your eyes closed can be almost as beneficial as sleeping might help.
  2. For chronic insomnia, consider trying antidepressants or other sleeping medications under your doctor's guidance. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is also effective.
  3. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia involves following a strict routine, including tracking sleep patterns, setting a consistent wake-up time, and avoiding napping during the day.

Update on COVID & the New COVID Booster

Are You Okay? • 359 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID Vaccines Medication Risk Factors Treatment
  1. The latest COVID sub-variant, EG.5, is becoming dominant but doesn't seem more contagious or severe than prior variants.
  2. New COVID boosters are expected soon, recommended for high-risk individuals like those over 65 or with underlying health issues.
  3. It is best to space out receiving COVID, flu, and RSV shots to minimize potential side effects.

Friday Q&A: on antidepressants; inattention; social anxiety; & “am I taking too many meds?”

Are You Okay? • 359 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medication Therapy Anxiety Depression
  1. Consider the option of seeking medication for managing depression symptoms if other interventions are not fully effective.
  2. Medication can be a valuable tool in a holistic approach to mental health, when used appropriately and under medical supervision.
  3. When facing intrusive thoughts and anxiety, techniques like recentering oneself and avoiding spirals can be helpful to regain focus.
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Do EpiPens Fail Higher-Weight Patients

Weight and Healthcare • 359 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Research Medication Body Weight Healthcare access
  1. There is controversy around Epinephrine auto-injectors (EAIs) and higher-weight patients, with studies showing needle length inadequacy in penetrating muscle tissue in some individuals.
  2. Research indicates that proper needle length and low-pressure injection are crucial for effective EAI use in higher-weight individuals, with concerns about dose adequacy, especially in women with higher BMIs.
  3. To address EAI effectiveness in higher-weight patients, measuring skin-to-muscle depth for personalized needle selection, pushing firmly during injection, and advocating for more inclusive research are recommended.

Ozempic is Showing Us That a Cure for Addiction is Possible

Curing Addiction • 99 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Addiction Medication Treatment Research Policy
  1. Addiction might be curable by modifying addictive drive biologically, shifting treatment significantly.
  2. Evidence supports the idea that addiction can be biologically changed, opening doors for potential cures.
  3. New medications like GLP-1 drugs show promise in reducing addictive behaviors, offering hope for addiction treatment advancement.

Friday Q&A: BMI as bible; osteoporosis; posture & aging; & atrial fibrillation

Are You Okay? • 319 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Nutrition Well-being Medication
  1. BMI is not always an accurate reflection of health, and other factors like fitness level, nutrition, and overall habits should be considered.
  2. For bone health, activities like yoga can be beneficial in improving bone mineral density, potentially even more so than traditional interventions like medication.
  3. Doctors and patients should focus on a holistic approach to health that considers genetic, hormonal, behavioral, nutritional, and psychological factors, rather than just relying on numbers like BMI.

Friday Q&A: COVID, flu & RSV

Are You Okay? • 279 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Health Vaccines Infections Medication Immune System
  1. Do not worry about taking over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen for common vaccine side effects; they do not significantly affect vaccine effectiveness.
  2. It is possible for individuals to contract Covid, flu, and RSV at the same time; the severity of the illness can vary depending on the individual's health condition.
  3. Consult with your doctor if you are taking immunosuppressants while considering getting a vaccine; adjustments may be needed to ensure vaccine efficacy.

Weight Loss Drugs Part 3 - Wegovy and Tirzepatide

Weight and Healthcare • 738 implied HN points • 17 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Medication Side Effects Pharmaceuticals Research
  1. Weight loss drugs often lead to short-term weight loss followed by weight regain, with participants regaining a significant amount of weight and cardiometabolic gains after going off the drug.
  2. Wegovy and Tirzepatide, new weight loss drugs, show a pattern of rapid weight loss at the beginning, then levelling off, and potential weight regain later. Side effects of these drugs are serious.
  3. Pharmaceutical companies aim for profits by keeping patients on expensive weight loss drugs long-term, despite minimal evidence of long-term weight loss benefits and significant harm from side effects.

Novo Nordisk Marketing Diet Drug to Adolescents

Weight and Healthcare • 459 implied HN points • 04 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Medication Weight Loss Health Risks Research
  1. Novo Nordisk is marketing a weight loss drug to adolescents, with potential harmful side effects like gallbladder problems and low blood pressure.
  2. The weight loss from the drug may be partly due to flu-like symptoms caused by the medication, and long-term weight loss maintenance is challenging.
  3. Continued use of the drug for adolescents is concerning due to health risks, potential side effects, and the high cost of the medication.

Why The WHO Shouldn't Grant Diet Drug Request To Be Added To Essential Medicine List - Part 3

Weight and Healthcare • 299 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medication Research Safety Obesity
  1. The research on the effectiveness, harms, and benefits of diet drugs requesting to be added to the WHO essential medicine list has several key issues: short study durations not capturing long-term effects, small and non-representative study populations, minimal weight loss effects, and failure to adequately assess adverse events.
  2. Cost-effectiveness analyses supporting the diet drugs are based on assumptions that being higher weight correlates with lower health-related quality of life and a belief that the treatment will induce weight loss and health benefits, which are not adequately proven by the research cited.
  3. The research includes conflicts of interest, such as studies funded by the drug manufacturers, and lack of long-term data to support claims of efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. These factors raise concerns about the suitability of these drugs for the WHO essential medicine list.

Remeron

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 117 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medication Research Side Effects Comparative Analysis
  1. Remeron, also known as Mirtazapine, has unique side effects like making you sleepy and increasing appetite due to its histamine effects.
  2. While Remeron may not differ significantly in its antidepressant effects from other drugs, it could work slightly faster and be more favorable in treating depression compared to SSRIs.
  3. A meta-analysis suggests that overall, Remeron might have a slight edge over SSRIs in treating depression, making it potentially a better option for some individuals.

Bupropion

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 117 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medication Science Research Analysis
  1. Bupropion is a versatile antidepressant with different brand names for various uses like depression, smoking cessation, and weight loss.
  2. Bupropion works differently than most antidepressants by affecting dopamine and norepinephrine, leading to no sexual side effects.
  3. Through meta-analysis, studies have shown that Bupropion is more effective than a placebo in treating depression.

Jedi-Level Personalized Dosing of Lamotrigine (Lamictal) in Bipolar Disorder

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 176 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medication Psychiatry Treatment
  1. The article discusses personalized dosing of Lamotrigine in treating Bipolar Disorder.
  2. Lamotrigine was developed primarily as a treatment for epilepsy and is now utilized for bipolar disorder.
  3. The medication functions based on metabolic and neurological disorders, as explained by physician-scientists.

Friday Q&A: On Choosing a Doctor; Ozempic downsides; Long COVID; & Caregiver Burnout

Are You Okay? • 179 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Doctors Medication Long Covid
  1. One way to know if your doctor is good is if they engage in active listening, use medical evidence for recommendations, and refer to other clinicians when needed.
  2. When considering trying a new medication like Ozempic, it's important to be aware of potential downsides and risks, including the possibility of weight gain after stopping the medication.
  3. Caregiver burnout is a real challenge that should not be overlooked, so it's crucial to seek support and take care of your own well-being while caring for others.

How Ozempic Will Change Cities

The New Urban Order • 119 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Obesity Medication Diet Physical activity Urban planning
  1. Nearly 3 out of 4 Americans over 20 years old are either overweight or obese, and as medications like semaglutide become more accessible, it may lead to significant changes in eating habits and society.
  2. While semaglutide can help reduce the obesity epidemic, it won't address the root causes such as predatory marketing of unhealthy foods, poverty, or lack of access to safe places for physical activity.
  3. The impact of medications like semaglutide on reducing obesity and changing eating habits could have far-reaching effects on various aspects of cities, from restaurants and transportation to parks and employment.

Lude Awakening: The Rise & Fall of Quaaludes

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Drugs Addiction Mental health Medication
  1. Quaaludes, a drug popular in the 70s disco era, had euphoric and hallucinatory effects when resisted the urge to sleep.
  2. The rise of Quaaludes as a party drug was fueled by its intense euphoria and disinhibition effects, leading to widespread recreational abuse.
  3. The fall of Quaaludes was marked by increased addiction, overdoses, and stricter regulations due to its side effects and potential for abuse, eventually leading to its ban in the US in 1984.

Friday Q&A: On Ozempic; Alcohol; Hormones & Breast Cancer; & How to Ask for Help

Are You Okay? • 119 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medication Weight Loss Hormones Mental health
  1. Ozempic is a useful tool for managing weight, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Other treatment modalities should be considered alongside medication.
  2. The discussion around health effects of alcohol can be nuanced - not all recommendations apply universally to everyone.
  3. It's important to approach weight loss and health in a holistic way, considering various factors like societal, genetic, hormonal, behavioral, nutritional, and psychological influences.

Weight-Neutral, Non-Restrictive Blood Pressure Management

Weight and Healthcare • 279 implied HN points • 29 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Exercise Medication Supplements Sleep
  1. High blood pressure can affect people of all sizes for various reasons, and it's crucial to provide blame-free and shame-free care.
  2. Weight-neutral approaches to blood pressure management can include medication, specific dietary choices like high-potassium foods, and supplements.
  3. In addition to traditional treatment options, lifestyle factors like sleep, meditation, and movement can also play a role in managing blood pressure.

Why Can't Americans Take A Vacation?

The Weekly Dish • 177 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Work-life balance Physical therapy Medication Interventions Mental health
  1. American workers put in long hours, with some even working up to 90 hours per week, impacting their ability to take vacations
  2. The pursuit of material possessions and societal pressure to work hard contribute to Americans' lack of leisure time compared to Europeans
  3. Globalization and technology have intensified the work culture, making Americans always accessible and potentially leading to burnout

Experimental Meds to Spice Things Up in the Bedroom

Torture Chamber Small Talk • 199 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Sexual Health Medication Gender Issues Mental health
  1. Men might soon have their own birth control pill, which is a big deal and could change the contraceptive game.
  2. Women are feeling bitter about the male birth control pill being non-hormonal and side-effect-free, while they have dealt with hormonal contraception for years.
  3. The introduction of a male birth control pill raises questions about societal views on control over contraceptive matters and may shift responsibilities in relationships.

Deadly Side Effect of Popular Weight Loss Drug Revealed - Is It Worth the Risk?

semaglutide • 39 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Medication Side Effects Obesity Treatment
  1. Be wary of potential deadly side effects of popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
  2. Weight Watchers and NHS are incorporating weight loss drugs like Wegovy into their programs.
  3. The high costs and potential health risks associated with weight loss medications raise concerns about accessibility and effectiveness.

R U OK with R U OK day?

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 39 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Well-being Therapy Medication Action
  1. R U OK? Day is an initiative in Australia that promotes suicide prevention by encouraging people to ask others if they are okay.
  2. While the sentiment behind R U OK? Day is important, it highlights the need for deeper systemic support beyond individual efforts.
  3. Addressing mental well-being requires more than just asking a simple question, it calls for tangible actions like improving access to therapy, medication, housing, and employment.

Doctors Are Not Being Honest About The Pill

Reactionary Feminist • 29 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Women's Health Medication Psychological Effects
  1. Doctors may not be fully informing women about the risks and effects of birth control pills.
  2. The Pill can have serious mental and physical side effects, such as depression, altered mate selection, and chronic inflammation.
  3. There is a lack of long-term research on the impacts of birth control pills, especially on young women's brain development.

The Ugly Side Effects of Being Extremely Attractive

Torture Chamber Small Talk • 79 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Body Image Medication Beauty Standards Physical health
  1. Weight loss drugs like Ozempic can have serious side effects but are increasingly popular for cosmetic weight loss.
  2. Beauty standards and societal pressures play a significant role in the obsession with appearance and weight loss.
  3. Health should be the priority over beauty, and extreme measures like weight loss drugs should only be considered for health reasons, not just aesthetic purposes.

Myth #5: Depression & Anxiety Medications are for Wimps

Are You Okay? • 39 implied HN points • 27 Sep 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medication Therapy Physical health Emotional Health
  1. Depression and anxiety medications are important tools for treating mood disorders and can significantly improve quality of life and, in some cases, be life-saving.
  2. Anxiety and depression symptoms can significantly impact quality of life and physical health, and seeking support, including medication when needed, is crucial.
  3. Treatment for anxiety and depression varies for each individual and may include lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication as part of a holistic approach to mental health.

about pharmaceuticals and their commercials

the rohn report • 59 implied HN points • 08 Apr 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Pharmaceuticals Advertising Medication Healthcare
  1. Pharmaceutical commercials often follow a predictable formula, portraying idealistic, happy scenarios while downplaying potential side effects and risks.
  2. The pharmaceutical industry in the US is heavily marketed, indicating a significant focus on advertising and promotional activities.
  3. Companies may employ various tactics, like offering gifts to clinic staff, to influence the prescribing and use of their products, raising questions about ethics and integrity.

Affirming Ivermectin Personally

Rounding the Earth Newsletter • 17 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare Illness Medication Recovery
  1. The author found ivermectin to be effective in managing their respiratory illness.
  2. Different brands of ivermectin may have varying effects, with Stromectol being particularly effective for the author.
  3. Healthcare providers have differing approaches and availability of certain medications, leading to challenges in accessing preferred treatment.

Dosing Ozempic for Weight Loss: A Practical Guide

semaglutide • 0 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Medication Side Effects Lifestyle changes
  1. To dose Ozempic for weight loss effectively, start with a low dosage and gradually increase under a doctor's supervision.
  2. Common side effects of Ozempic can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, so it's important to consult your doctor if any side effects occur.
  3. In addition to medication, successful weight loss may also require lifestyle changes like a balanced diet, increased physical activity, and setting achievable goals.