As Professors of Pharmacology, when advising doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and other medical professionals on the use of drugs, we always put safety first.

NSAIDs are widely used to treat pain and fever from many different long- and short-term medical conditions such as arthritis, menstrual cramps, headaches, colds, and the flu. NSAIDs are available by prescription and OTC. Examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and celecoxib (see Table 1 for a list of NSAIDs).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is strengthening an existing label warning that NON-ASPIRIN nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke.

Patients taking NSAIDs should seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, weakness in one part or side of their body, or slurred speech.

"...Be careful not to take more than one product that contains an NSAID at a time...,” says Karen M. Mahoney, M.D., deputy director of FDA’s Division of Nonprescription Drug Products. "...How will you know? Check the list of active ingredients..."

"...There is no period of use shown to be without risk,” says Judy Racoosin, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director of FDA’s Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Addiction Products..."

For more details, please visit FDA at:
https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm451800.htm 
https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm453610.htm

More than 20 million Americans on average use marijuana each month, making it the most popular street drug in the country. Four states -- Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Alaska --and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana. Many other states are considering laws to make it legal.

The number of Americans who are in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana has risen. More than half of people surveyed now support the idea. Most Americans don't think marijuana is harmful. Yet despite the increasing acceptance, marijuana use does have some risks.

Here's a look at how marijuana can affect your health.

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If you've had a prescription filled recently, there's a good chance you're taking a generic drug. Almost 80% of prescription drugs sold are generics. That option helps save patients and hospitals billions of dollars every year.

It's estimated that you could save at least two-thirds of your drug costs if you use generic drugs.

According to the FDA, generic drugs can be trusted to have the same quality as brand-name drugs -- but at a cheaper price. That's important to know because no one wants to skimp on health, even if it means saving money.

Here's a look at how marijuana can affect your health.

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Mercury in any form is poisonous, with mercury toxicity most commonly affecting the neurologic, gastrointestinal (GI) and renal organ systems. Poisoning can result from mercury vapor inhalation, mercury ingestion, mercury injection, and absorption of mercury through the skin.

Here's a look at how mercury can affect your health.

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