Health News

These Medications Posed Risks for Dementia Patients
Treating and caring for patients with dementia is often difficult, and medications are seen as a way to help manage behavior. What happens when those medications may also pose health risks?
Balancing Pregnancy and Epilepsy
Women with epilepsy usually need to take medications to treat the condition even while they are pregnant. But how do those medications affect their developing babies?
Tips For Women With Epilepsy Who May Get Pregnant
Two recent studies offered new insight for women who take medications for epilepsy on how to reduce their baby's risk for birth defects and whether breastfeeding is recommended.
Epilepsy Rx While Pregnant: Does Dose Matter?
Researchers have discovered a link between a common epilepsy medication and a specific birth defect in newborn babies. The study sheds light on how women taking epileptic medications during pregnancy can reduce their chance of having a baby with physical deformities.
Doctors Unaware of Epilepsy Rx Side Effects
Doctors tend to be regarded as the experts when prescribing medications; however, new research may cast doubt on this assumption.
A Pregnancy Dilemma for a Medication?
Some medications are linked to disorders such as autism or to birth defects when taken during pregnancy. However, that risk must also be balanced against the medication's benefits.
Combining Meds for Bipolar Disorder
People with rapid cycling bipolar disorder may have different treatments needs. A recent study looked at combining Depakote , lithium and Lamictal .
Meds for Bipolar with Mixed Episodes
Some people with bipolar disorder have mixed episodes – they have symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time. Are anti-psychotics safe and effective for mixed symptoms?
Kids These Days… and Their Rx
It's important to treat mental illness. But some people have concerns that children are over-treated with medications. Research evidence does show an increase in some psychiatric meds for kids.
Comparing Medications for Bipolar in Teens
Bipolar disorder in children and teens is difficult to treat. Many medications on the market have not been tested in young people. A new study compares the safety and effectiveness of three drugs for bipolar disorder. Three medications, lithium, an antipsychotic, and a drug specifically approved for mania, were given to children and teens with bipolar disorder.  After eight weeks of treatment, the antipsychotic Risperdal ( risperidone ) was most effective for symptoms of mania, but it also caused severe weight gain. Researchers recommend caution and close monitoring when using...