Drugs | LocalHealthGuide

Suicide By Opioid: New Research Suggests Overdoses Should Be Classified As Self-Harm

Suicide rates have been steadily climbing, but their numbers are likely even higher.

August 28, 2018 Drugs / Surgery / Transplantation

New Hepatitis C Drugs Mean More Organs for More Transplants

New drugs that promise a cure for the 3.5 million Americans with chronic hepatitis also are benefiting another category of patients: those awaiting life-saving organ transplants.

August 27, 2018 Drugs / Pregnancy

Pediatricians Put It Bluntly: Motherhood And Marijuana Don’t Mix

More and more people consider smoking marijuana harmless, but mounting research suggests women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid it altogether.

August 24, 2018 Measles / Vaccines

Traveller returned to King County with measles

Before he was diagnosed, he may have exposed others to the measles at Sea-Tac Airport and the Emergency Department of Harborview Medical Center.

August 24, 2018 Addiction / Drugs

Teen Xanax Abuse Is Surging

Addiction practitioners say they’re seeing a surge in the number of young patients who are hooked on Xanax. Many taking high daily doses of the drug.

August 22, 2018 Drugs

The Myth of Drug Expiration Dates

“Refining our prescription drug dating process could save billions,” one expert says.

August 22, 2018 Addiction / Opioids

Opioid Overdose Deaths Rose in 2017 Driven by Fentanyl

Nearly 72,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in 2017, about 7 percent more than in the previous year, CDC report.

August 14, 2018 Addiction / Opioids / Painkillers / Pregnancy / Substance Abuse / Women's Health

For Addicted Women, the Year After Childbirth Is the Deadliest

The opioid epidemic has addicted nearly 3 million Americans and killing more than 350,000. But pregnant women and new moms are particularly vulnerable.

August 2, 2018 Drugs / Opioids

Rival Opioid Makers Sought To Cash In On Alarm Over OxyContin

As Purdue Pharma faced mounting criticism over deaths linked to OxyContin, rival drugmakers saw a chance to boost sales of similarly dangerous painkillers

August 1, 2018 Drugs / Opioids / Painkillers / Seniors

Poll: Providers Aren’t Doing Enough to Warn Older Patients About Opioids

Many Americans over 50 favor limits on painkiller prescribing, and those who receive prescriptions need more counseling about risks and safe disposal options.

July 25, 2018 Biotechnology / Drugs / Health Policy

Déjà Voodoo: Pharma’s Promises To Curb Drug Prices Have Been Heard Before

Drug company promises to contain prices are a familiar — and fleeting. In past, their vows to restrain prices last only as long as it is politically necessary.

July 24, 2018 Drugs / Opioids / Painkillers

Opioid Maker Changes Public Service Ad In Washington Post

Purdue Pharma had said that taking opioids such as its painkiller OxyContin can prove dangerous even as prescribed — then appeared to backtrack a few days later.