Author: Jessica Brandenburg
Best Practices for Choosing Safe OTC Medications at the Pharmacy
Learn how to safely choose over-the-counter medications by reading labels, avoiding dangerous combinations, measuring doses correctly, and talking to your pharmacist. Essential tips for adults and seniors.
Time-to-Onset Patterns by Drug Class: When Common Medication Side Effects Start
Learn when common side effects from medications typically appear - from hours to months - based on drug class, research, and real patient data. Know what to expect and when to act.
Generic vs Brand-Name Drugs: Key Differences Explained
Generic drugs work the same as brand-name versions but cost 80-85% less. The FDA requires them to meet identical safety and effectiveness standards. Learn when to choose generic and when to stick with brand.
How Nurses Counsel Patients on Generic Medications: A Practical Guide
Nurses play a vital role in helping patients understand that generic medications are just as safe and effective as brand-name drugs. Learn how they use simple, evidence-based counseling to improve adherence and prevent dangerous medication errors.
Aspirin for Primary Prevention: Who Should Skip Daily Doses
Daily aspirin for heart health is no longer recommended for most people. Learn who should avoid it, why guidelines changed, and what to do instead to protect your heart safely.
Placebo Effect and Generics: How Psychology Affects Your Medication Results
Generics work the same as brand-name drugs-but your brain might not believe it. Learn how psychological factors like expectation and cost perception affect medication effectiveness and adherence.
Insurance Changes and Generic Switching: How Formulary Updates Affect Your Prescription Costs in 2025
Learn how 2025 Medicare Part D formulary changes are pushing patients toward generics and biosimilars - and what you can do to protect your prescriptions, control costs, and avoid unexpected coverage shifts.
Liver Function Tests Explained: ALT, AST, Bilirubin, and What They Really Mean
Learn what ALT, AST, and bilirubin really mean in liver function tests. Understand patterns, when to worry, and what to do next - without the medical jargon.
Thalidomide and Teratogenic Medications: History and Lessons in Pregnancy Safety
Thalidomide caused over 10,000 birth defects in the 1950s and 60s, leading to global drug safety reforms. Learn how this tragedy reshaped pregnancy medication guidelines and why it still matters today.
Remission in Type 2 Diabetes: How Weight Loss Can Lead to Medication-Free Control
Type 2 diabetes remission is possible through significant weight loss, allowing some people to stop medication and maintain normal blood sugar. Learn how it works, who qualifies, and why it's not a cure.
Why Switch to Generic Medications: Proven Savings and Equal Effectiveness
Generic medications save patients up to 90% on drug costs while matching brand-name effectiveness. Learn why the FDA approves them as safe, how much you can save, and how to switch confidently.
Medicare Part D Substitution: What You Can and Can’t Switch Without Approval
Medicare Part D substitution rules let pharmacists swap your prescriptions based on your plan’s formulary. Know how tiers, the $2,000 out-of-pocket cap, and formulary changes affect what you get-and how to fight back if it’s not right.
