Side Effects

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Meds for certain chronic conditions trigger heat-related dangers

Medications for four categories of conditions make it difficult for the body to handle hot weather by reducing its ability to sweat or increase blood flow to the skin. That can result in heat-related illness or increase risk of heart attack. Are your meds on this hot list?

Joyce Hollman

Semaglutide melts muscle: Why that’s bad news for blood sugar

The list of harmful effects tied to semaglutide keeps growing. Sure, it melts fat, but almost half the weight loss may come from muscle loss. That’s trouble for anyone, but especially if you have blood sugar problems…

Joyce Hollman

Heart-protecting drugs that backfire when it’s hot out

It’s common for people with coronary heart disease to take medications that protect the heart and reduce risk of a heart attack or stroke. But these very same protective medications may actually elevate these risks during summer heat. Take these precautions…

Carolyn Gretton

The statin that raises your risk of diabetes and cataracts

Statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol. But, they come with a laundry list of side effects, including a higher risk of dementia, kidney damage and muscle pain. Now we’re finding some statins increase the risk of diabetes and cataracts…

Carolyn Gretton

Medications that can increase your skin cancer risk

I learned at a young age that my pale skin burns fast. So I have an arsenal of all the “right ways” to protect it. Imagine my dismay at discovering all the medications that could sabotage my efforts…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What happens when sleep aids clog the brain’s waste drain

When sleep problems creep up with age, some may turn to sleep aids. But a commonly used sleep drug clogs the plumbing of a little-known brain system, preventing the brain from clearing out toxic waste and potentially leading to cognitive decline.