by Alazar Menbere Haile, MD Creatine is a widely used sports performance supplement best known for its role in strength training and remains one of the most extensively studied supplements on the market. It is synthesized from the amino acids arginine and glycine by the kidneys, liver, and pancreas, with a smaller contribution from the brain (1). This natural production by the body accounts for roughly half of daily requirements, while the remainder is obtained from dietary s

You start taking a new medication and feel better after a few days. Gradually, you begin to miss doses or stop taking it altogether. Sometimes, you may forget doses or change the timing on your own. These situations are common and often unintentional. However, not taking medicines as prescribed, known as poor medication adherence, can affect how well treatment works and may lead to health complications. Medication adherence plays an important role in achieving the desired out

As someone who has suffered with COVID, and truly at times feel as though I am still suffering with Long COVID this is exciting news. Here’s the simplest way to explain it: Certain antidepressants don’t just affect mood—they also calm inflammation, improve serotonin balance, reduce micro clots, and help cells recover from stress. These combined effects may ease Long COVID symptoms like fatigue and brain fog. How Antidepressants Might Help with Long COVID Long COVID can leave

Figure 1: Antimicrobial Resistance & Phyto-Pharmacotherapeutics (Source: https://vegconomist.com/science/plant-based-nanoparticles-can-combat-antibiotic-resistance/) What is Antimicrobial Resistance? Antimicrobial resistance is the tendency of a microorganism to counteract the microbistatic or microbicidal effects of an antimicrobial drug. Antimicrobial resistance arises in a single microbe and is inherited in the newly reproduced microbes. The resistant microbe is able to gr

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is emerging as one of the most serious global health threats today. It occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites develop the ability to resist drugs that were once effective against them [2, 4]. This problem is largely driven by the widespread misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, which accelerates the development of resistant strains. While resistance can occur naturally through genetic mutations and the transfer of res

The Promise of Suzetrigine Acute pain after surgery affects millions of patients each year and often requires strong medication to control it. Traditional opioid drugs are effective options to control pain, but they are associated with addiction, sedation, and other serious side effects. A new medication called suzetrigine has been developed to treat acute pain without the use of opioids. What the Trials Point To A large scientific study tested suzetrigine in adults who exper

During a medical visit, doctors often ask several questions before prescribing any medication. They may ask about medications you are currently taking, past treatments, allergies, or even vitamins and herbal supplements you are using. For many patients, these questions may seem routine or sometimes unnecessary. However, this information is extremely important for the safe and effective treatment. Drug history helps clinicians understand a patient’s medication history and allo

Introduction Historically, the pharmacopeia for schizophrenia has been defined by dopaminergic blockade . Standard antipsychotics—both first and second-generation—rely on binding to postsynaptic D2 receptors , effectively "muting" overactive dopamine signaling in the mesolimbic pathway. 1,2 However, this "shotgun" binding profile isn't surgical. These agents often interact with a heterogeneous array of other targets: Serotonergic (5-HT): Often targeted to balance mood and mo

Photo Credit : Wix Diabetes is the ranked the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the latest Center for Disease Control (CDC) report, 40.1 million people in the United States had diabetes in 2023, with a 90%-95% having Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). What is T2DM? T2DM is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistan

Painkillers are some of the most commonly available over-the-counter drugs in the world. Whether it's for muscle cramp, a twisted ankle, an aching tooth or a nasty fall that required stitches, pain killers are literal life savers for many, if not all of us. When there are so many options to choose from, which one do you go with? While every single ache or cramp isn't probably a visit-the-doctor situation, it's still necessary to be informed about the type of painkiller you ne

A New Pill That Helps Treat Anemia in Kidney Disease Many patients who have chronic kidney disease will develop anemia, which means their blood does not carry enough oxygen throughout the body. This can cause people feel very tired, weak, dizzy, and short of breath. Many current treatments require shots and frequent visits to a clinic, which can be stressful and inconvenient. A new pill taken by mouth called roxadustat is offering a simpler option. Roxadustat helps the body m

Feel Like Yourself Again with Bioidentical Hormone Pellet Therapy Linda Boone BSN, RN Bioidentical hormones are plant-derived compounds, typically sourced from soy or yams, that are structurally identical to the hormones naturally produced by the body. Estradiol and testosterone pellets are made to mirror the body’s natural molecular hormone structure. Common types of bioidentical hormone replacement prescriptions include gels, patches, pills, creams, and vaginal inserts. Som

Introduction Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) harboring the H3 K27M mutation (now classified as H3 K27M-altered diffuse midline glioma) represent one of the most devastating diagnoses in neuro-oncology. These tumors, which arise in critical midline structures like the thalamus and brainstem (e.g., DIPG), predominantly affect children and young adults. Historically, they have been uniformly fatal, with radiation therapy offering only transient palliative benefit and chemotherapy

Antibiotics are widely used to treat bacterial infections (not viral!). They are wonder drugs that are basically a bacteria's kryptonite. But many people stop taking antibiotics as soon as they start feeling better. When the fever goes goes down, the throat feels better and the pain lets off, it might feel like the worst of the infection has passed. This might tempt many from completing the full prescribed course. While it may seem harmless (after all its only a pill or two r

Image credit: Freepik According to the World Health Organization, obesity is a chronic disease resulting from complex interactions of genetics, neurobiology, and environment. In the U.S. adult obesity rates have doubled in the past three decades from 19% in 1990 to more than 42% in 2022. Moreover, a new study estimates 47% of adults in the U.S. to be affected by obesity by 2035. Consequently, a search for a safe and effective treatment has been an ongoing pursuit. Semaglutide

You feel better after a few days of treatment and decide to stop the medicine. You cannot remember whether you already took today’s dose. You take an over-the-counter tablet along with your prescription medication without asking your doctor. These situations are more common than many people even realize. Medications play an essential role in treating illnesses, controlling chronic conditions, and improving quality of life. However, small mistakes in how medicines are taken ca

Ozempic, Wegovy, Moujaro, Zepbound…these medications have been all over the media as the latest trend in weight loss drugs, but did you know they were developed for another purpose? What are GLP-1 agonists? Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a naturally occurring human hormone. When a person eats or drinks, the body responds by releasing GLP-1 from the small intestine. This triggers the pancreas to release insulin while suppressing the release of glucagon, slows gastric empty

Why the Same Chemotherapy Can Help One Patient and Harm Another? Introduction Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of cancer treatment across many malignancies, yet patient responses vary dramatically. Two individuals receiving the same regimen can experience entirely different outcomes, ranging from excellent tumour control to severe, life-threatening toxicity. For decades, these differences were largely attributed to age, organ function, or chance. Pharmacogenomics has reveal

Introduction Statins have been around for decades, and are one of the most prescribed medicines worldwide. Prescription numbers climb every year, and yet many people still have reservations about taking them. This article explores their use, reputation, and why they are still considered vital in reducing the risk of heart disease. What are statins? Statins are a group of medicines which help reduce levels of “bad” cholesterol, also known as low-density lipoproteins (LDL). C

What are these versatile treatments? Recent excitement around GLP-1 medications has brought about interest in health benefits outside of the intended weight control and blood glucose effects. Doctors and researchers have noticed positive effects on other health conditions like chronic kidney disease, even without weight loss. There are quite a few examples of drugs with benefits reaching beyond the initially studied or approved use, and many are still used in an "off-label"