May 2014 Skin & Eye Health

Our guest commentator argues that pharmacists should be in charge of dispensing medical cannabis.

Left untreated, psoriasis can lead to serious medical complications.

Indoor tanning has long been associated with an increased risk of melanoma, and new research suggests that using newer tanning beds is just as risky.

Patients who search for and use alternative treatments for skin cancer and moles on the Internet are doing more harm than good, the results of a recent study suggest.

Although guidelines suggest that oral antibiotics to treat acne should only be taken for 3 to 6 months, the results of a recent study suggest that many teens are taking the medications at longer durations.

Rates of blindness and vision impairment have dramatically dropped in high-income countries over the past 20 years, according to the results of a recent review.

Although clinical trials have indicated that intraocular pressure-lowering medications are effective in patients with open-angle glaucoma, new research suggests that the medications may not be as effective in real-world settings.

Pet peeves involving unprepared drive-thru customers, unhelpful doctor's offices, and confusing scripts.

Our round-up of difficult-to-read scripts.

Case studies regarding treatment for migraines and adjusting antihypertensive medication based on the new JNC 8 guidelines.

Although children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are typically very active, the results of a recent study suggest that they are more likely to become inactive and obese as teenagers.

Obesity rates in children aged 2 to 5 years have decreased over the past decade, but overall obesity rates have failed to decrease among children and adults in the United States over the past decade.

Overweight and obese patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain and dyspnea had longer hospital stays and higher costs of care, according to the results of a recent study.

Pharmacists can learn about current management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, including updated clinical practice guidelines and the incorporation of new therapeutic classes into practice recommendations.

White male children are the most likely to be diagnosed with color blindness compared with children of other ethnicities, the results of a recent study suggest.

Lifestyle modifications are helpful in reducing heartburn symptoms in some individuals, but many patients continue to experience frequent heartburn and may benefit from treatment with an OTC proton pump inhibitor.

Community pharmacists are in an ideal position to educate patients on how to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun.

The generic drug market's economics have a particular impact on drug shortages, including shortages of critical drugs that may only be available in generic form.

Our round-up of new generic products.

Even though the FDA approved Zohydro ER, politicians have either banned the drug on the state level through executive order or introduced legislation to do so.

Pharmacists at a New Zealand hospital can spend more time counseling high-risk patients and reconciling their medications, thanks to a tool that predicts which patients are at the highest risk for medication errors or adverse drug events.

The therapeutic goals for scleroderma can often be met with pharmacologic treatment.

When an insurance company's administration of a Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance program generates numerous complaints to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is immediate termination of the contract appropriate?

Knowing these facts can help keep topical corticosteroid use safe and effective.

A review of 2 examples of new failure modes that may be introduced by poorly designed or implemented technology reported to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices.

A review of whether acetaminophen is likely to interact adversely with antihypertensive therapy.

A review of skin necrosis, a rare but devastating adverse effect associated with warfarin use.

Epaned (enalapril maleate powder for oral solution) has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of hypertension in patients aged 1 month and older.

Our round-up of new Rx products.

Patients' nails can reveal health issues as well as side effects of medication.