In the ongoing aftermath of the opioid crisis, it’s common for physicians to attempt to wean some patients off opioids in favor of alternative means of pain management. But while the goal is increased safety for the patient, opioid tapering does not come without risks. A recent study in JAMA found a significant association between opioid dose tapering and both overdose and mental health crises.

“Paul” was sick with COVID-19 and starting to have trouble breathing. But when he went to the local emergency department (ED) on a Friday evening, they turned him away because they didn’t have any more beds. As a last resort, he went to De Queen Health and Wellness Pharmacy in De Queen, AR, where he heard he could get treatment.

A recent study published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology sheds light on the debate about acetaminophen use for pregnant women. After reviewing the medical literature on the topic going back 25 years, the research team is urging caution on the use of this common OTC during pregnancy because of the strong link associated with adverse neurological, urogenital, and reproductive outcomes in children.

Over the past few years, blood pressure medications have been recalled due to concerns about N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable carcinogen. But this may not be the only impurity to be worried about in these medications. As drug companies have addressed the NDMA issue, they have also found new potentially dangerous chemicals known as azido impurities.

Health experts now believe that daily use of low-dose aspirin—once viewed as an inexpensive and effective prophylaxis against heart disease—has more potential harms than benefits.