General Family Health

The tetanus vaccine is given in one of four combinations with other vaccines to prevent diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. Children should receive a round of five vaccines, and adults are...

Oftentimes chemotherapeutic procedures inflict side effects of varying degrees on the patient undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapeutic procedures meant for different ailments have different...

Robitussin AC is a drug with the ingredients codeine and guaifenesin. These two ingredients help suppress coughs and loosen the mucus associated with chest congestion experienced with respiratory...

Cold and flu season can confuse even the savviest of consumers. With so many over-the-counter medications available, how does the consumer decide what to buy? Medications for upper respiratory...

The dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation have been known for some time; however, there can be positive effects, depending on the amount of exposure. It is always best to protect yourself against...

Chitosan is a supplement made of natural sugars found in shellfish such as crab, lobster and shrimp. Some people use chitosan for weight loss, treating Crohn's disease and to assist in lowering...

Hepatitis is a virus that infects the liver that can be prevented with a vaccine. The combination Hepatitis AB vaccine reduces the number of vaccines by combining two of the most common strains of...

Most food products contain preservatives. In addition, preservatives can be found in cosmetics, household products and vaccines. Historically, natural substances such as salt and sugar have been...

Dextrose is injected into patients who are unable to obtain the proper amount of sugar in their bodies. Although Dextrose has not been shown to interact adversely with other medications, the...

Although any vaccination, including the tetanus vaccine, can cause side effects, in most cases these reactions are minor and temporary. The risk of getting Tetanus, a nervous system disease that...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all immunizations are able to cause side effects. Most of the side effects are mild and only last a few days. If pain, fever and other...

Topical anesthetic creams are often effective in relieving pain. There are many types of anesthetic creams on the market today, and most have no negative side effects.

Thallium is a metal that is found in small amounts in the earth's crust. Thallium is tasteless and odorless, and is used in electronic devices, and for certain medical procedures. Some serious...

Testosterone is a natural chemical of the brain. Like salt or water, you can't live without testosterone, but too much can damage your body and mind. Testosterone is often more predominate in males.

Optiray dye is used to show contrast in X-rays and CAT scans. It is also commonly known as Ioversol. It is considered to be a radiopaque contrast agent. Some patients have reported side effects...

Albuterol is a medication that is in a class called bronchodilators. It helps the lungs to relax and as valuable as is can be to asthma sufferers it can also have some serious side effects.

The DTaP vaccine prevents diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough), all serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. This vaccine is provided by injection to babies and children...

Flexeril is also known by the generic name of Clobenzaprine Hydrochloride or Cyclobenzaprine HCI. It is dispensed in tablet form to treat muscle spasms and pain due to strains or sprains without...

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) is provided to infants and young children to prevent infection from pneumococcal bacteria. After immunization, the child's body produces antibodies that...

Fentanyl Intrathecal is an opoid pain medication used to treat pain associated with cancer that cannot be controlled by other medications. This medication is strictly meant to treat cancer pain...

Octyl-methoxycinnamate is a common active ingredient in topical sunscreen products. Also called ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, the substance rarely causes obvious side effects, although research has...

Albuterol is the generic name for the drug Proventil. It is used to treat asthma, bronchitis and other illnesses that cause bronchospasms. Side effects have been reported by users of albuterol.

Vaccines often have side effects, and the smallpox vaccine is no exception. Fortunately, the side effects are mild and the benefits of the vaccine certainly outweigh them.

Rohypnol (flunitrazepam), manufactured by Hoffman-La Roche, is prescribed for short-term treatment of insomnia and in conjunction with certain surgical procedures. According to drugs.com, Rohypnol...

Combantrin is a medication used to eliminate pinworms (threadworms). It also eliminates hookworms and roundworms, although this information is not included on product labeling. Combantrim is a...

Castor oil. Turpin hydrate. Tincture of valerian. Since the advent of medicine, human beings have been looking for that one special tonic that will keep them--and their children--healthy. Thanks...

Getting a flu shot will significantly reduce your chances of getting influenza (flu). As with most medications, however, flu shots may cause side effects in some recipients. The vast majority of...

Phenobarbital is a medication used for preventing seizures. The drug has been used for a long time, and most doctors no longer prescribe phenobarbital unless other drugs fail to work, because of...

The varicella, or chickenpox, vaccine provides adults and children with immunity to chickenpox. The varicella vaccine does not usually cause serious side effects, according to the Centers for...

Duricef (cefadroxil) is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. Some side effects may occur from taking Duricef and should be reported to your doctor immediately.

Aprozide is a brand name for the prescription drug hydrochlorothiazide. Aprozide is a diuretic used to dry out the body by removing excess fluids. Aprozide is used to treat edema and high blood...

Most often steroids are given in the form of a liquid injection, though steroids also come in a pill or tablet form. Steroid shots work for the safe treatment of many diseases and conditions;...

The generic nerve-numbing spray benzocaine, sold under the brand names of Endocaine and Hurricaine, is recommended to ease the pain and itching associated with sunburn, bug bites, scrapes and...

Dilantin is a prescription medication manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Dilantin is administered for the treatment of epilepsy and seizure. Effects of prolonged use of Dilantin...

There are some legal steroids on the market. There are also some steroids that doctors will give as a prescription for certain medical reasons. Anabolic steroids are ones that are sometimes used...

The flu shot can prevent you from developing the flu. Knowing when you should get it and the side effects, will help you make the right decision and prevent an unwanted illness.

Growth hormone is a hormone created in the pituitary gland, a small pea-sized structure at the base of the brain. This hormone is most importantly used to help children with growth during...

Fosamax is a prescription medication used in the prevention of bone loss for the treatment of osteoporosis. Also used to treat other diseases such as Pagets bone disease, Fosamax was approved by...

Lipoflavonoids are a combination of several vitamins conveniently packaged in one tablet, to be ingested orally. Typically called a multivitamin, they are used to provide the nutrients the body...

Corticosteroids are a synthetic version of the body's hormone cortisol and are one of the best anti inflammatory medications available. They come in various forms and are used to treat a wide...

NoDoz is an over-the-counter medication administered in tablet form for oral consumption. It is used to help you stay alert and awake when it is necessary. NoDoz contains caffeine and works as a...

According to an article published on the John Hopkins Health Alert website, approximately 700,000 people seek medical treatment each year from the side effects of prescription drugs. All...

Flu shots are considered safe. As with most vaccines or medications, however, some people experience side effects after receiving the vaccine. These side effects are usually minor and subside...

Laughing gas may not be a laughing matter after all. Laughing gas, known to dentists worldwide as nitrous oxide, is widely used as a short acting anesthetic for dental procedures. A little over a...

Zolpidem is better known by its trade name of Ambien. While it is mainly a sleeping pill for those with insomnia, it can be given for things like RLS (restless leg syndrome) and for brain function...

Miconazole is an anti-fungal agent used to treat vaginal yeast infections, and also for topical treatment of fungal skin infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch and ringworm. A safe...

Nicotine lozenges are available to help people quit smoking. Like nicotine gum, the lozenges contain nicotine that is absorbed through the lining of the mouth. The person gradually decreases use...

Iron is essential for the normal functioning of the human body. An iron deficiency limits oxygen delivery to cells leading to fatigue and lowered immunity. However, iron deficiencies are uncommon,...

Tylex is a prescription pain reliever available in the United Kingdom. Containing paracetamol and codeine phosphate, the combination is commonly called co-codamol. Paracetamol is known as...

The Z-Pak, or Zithromax, is a strong antibiotic used for several conditions. It can be prescribed for respiratory infections, skin infections, sexually transmitted diseases, otitis media (ear...