I am not a fan of how newspapers use headlines to misrepresent stories to provke unwarranted fear, and heightened risk perception. Today, the Ottawa Citizen published two stories about seasonal and H1N1 vaccine. The first story, For Guillain-Barre survivors, flu shot stirs up unwelcome memories, emblazoned on the front page has all the elements of [...]

What have we learned about the cardiovascular risk of Vioxx, with so much media attention lately? Health Canada set up a 13-member expert panel to review and critique the scientific evidence for the Cox-2 painkillers Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra. The panel recommended in its July report that Merck could resubmit Vioxx for approval.

When discussing the potential side effects of drugs, risks must be viewed within a realistic context. Indeed, my last column on Ecstasy, or MDMA, and today’s on GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) and ketamine, contain information that is factually correct.

Recently, one of my patients with bipolar disorder took Ecstasy at a rave. Within 60 minutes she had collapsed on the dance floor from dehydration.

The thrill of the winter sojourn to warmer climes and ocean activities like scuba diving, surfing and snorkeling, among others, can lead many to overlook other notable health and safety precautions.

What is a drug interaction? Many believe it occurs when one or more medications directly affect the effectiveness of another. But how does it happen?

Herbal remedies are medical concern. A substantial minority of people use them. Indeed, many people do not tell their doctor about herbal medication use unless directly asked. This is not a recipe for good comprehensive health assessment. Some herbal preparations will adversely interact with prescription medications.

Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen August 19, 2003 Original Title: Medication safety during pregnancy Moms-to-be should speak to their pharmacist and doctor about prescription medications and any other drugs they might be taking’ What medications are safe to use during pregnancy? Should I stop my prescription medications? How can I treat my heartburn? Can [...]

During the summer months, it is common to see people come in with peculiar linear or blotchy blistered red rashes. Welcome to poison ivy country.

Every summer our skin is subject to the mosquito onslaught. Young children’s skin tends to react more strongly from bites. A young child’s immune system has not had the pleasure of the hundreds of times adults have been exposed to mosquito saliva. With age we develop antibodies so that by adulthood our response to these bites is more subdued.

Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen April 30, 2002 Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more! – Eric Idle – Monty Python’s Flying Circus Recent reports in the National Post and Ottawa Citizen about Health Canada’s failure to disclose to Canadians in the mid 90′s the lead risk in Turkish raisins is another example of [...]

Mr. T. is a strapping 85 year-old man who suffers with an anxiety disorder. He also cares for his wife who is severely affected by Alzheimer’s. Twenty years ago he was prescribed clonazepam (Rivotril), a benzodiazepine (BDZ). He became dependent upon them to control his anxiety. BDZs and the elderly do not mix well.