Medications

• charcoal

  Charcoal is used to treat stomach pain caused by excess gas, diarrhea, or indigestion. Charcoal also is used to relieve itching related to kidney dialysis treatment and to treat poisoning or drug overdose. Charcoal may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Enlarged Prostate: Should I Take Medicine?

  Guides through decision to take medicine for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate. Lists common medicine choices. Discusses how to manage your symptoms at home. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you decide.

• Anabolic Steroids

  Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances similar to the male hormone testosterone. Doctors prescribe them to treat problems such as delayed puberty and other medical problems that cause the body to make very low amounts of testosterone. Steroids...

• Anxiety: Treatment Options

  Learn about different treatment options for anxiety and how they can help.

• Dementia: Medicines to Treat Behavior Changes

  The decision to try medicine to treat behavior problems in Alzheimer's disease is different for each person. The decision weighs the risks and benefits of these medicines. Your doctor can help you decide. Medicines for behavior problems linked to dementia do not work very well for most people and may have serious risks...

• Headaches: Should I Take Prescription Medicine for Tension Headaches?

  Guides through the decision to take prescription drugs for tension headaches. Covers treatment with antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and antianxiety medicines. Lists side effects. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Medicines to Prevent Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Heart Failure

  One of the most frightening aspects about having heart failure is that it can lead to premature death. The increased death rate among people with heart failure is in part caused by the tendency of those with heart failure to develop abnormal heart rhythms. Some people with heart failure die suddenly from abnormal rapid...

• Ear Problems: Should My Child Be Treated for Fluid Buildup in the Middle Ear?

  Guides through decision to treat fluid buildup in the middle ear. Discusses risks and benefits of treatment such as ear tubes, antibiotics, and adenoid surgery. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Why You Don't Need Antibiotics for Bronchitis

  Learn why you probably don't need an antibiotic when you have acute bronchitis.

• Why Children Don't Need Antibiotics for Colds or Flu

  Learn why antibiotics shouldn't be prescribed to children who have a cold or flu.

• Antibiotic Sensitivity Test

  An antibiotic sensitivity (or susceptibility) test is done to help choose the antibiotic that will be most effective against the specific types of bacteria or fungus infecting an individual person. Some types of bacteria or fungus are resistant to...

• Acne: Treatment With Antibiotics

  Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat severe acne or acne that is likely to leave scars. Antibiotics improve the look of your skin by killing bacteria that cause acne. This means you'll have fewer pimples and redness. Less acne means less...

• Using Antibiotics Wisely

  Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria. Bacteria can cause infections such as strep throat, ear infections, urinary tract infections, and sinus infections (sinusitis). There are many types of antibiotics. Each works a little differently and...

• Antibiotics

  What are the most important things you need to know about your medicines? Make sure you know about each of the medicines you take. This includes why you take it, how to take it, what you can expect while you're taking it, and any warnings about the medicine. The information provided here is general. So be sure...

• Ear Infection: Should I Give My Child Antibiotics?

  Guides through decision to use antibiotics for a child's ear infection. Covers symptoms of an ear infection. Offers home treatment tips. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision. This topic is only appropriate for children 6 months and older.

• People Who Need Antibiotics to Prevent Endocarditis

  If you have a normal heart, you have a low risk for endocarditis. But if you have a problem with your heart that affects normal blood flow through the heart, it is more likely that bacteria or fungi will attach to heart tissue. This puts you at a higher risk for endocarditis. If you have certain heart conditions...

• Bronchitis: Should I Take Antibiotics?

  Guides through decision to take antibiotics for acute bronchitis. Explains when antibiotics are helpful. Covers risks of antibiotics. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Sinusitis: Should I Take Antibiotics?

  Guides you through the decision to take antibiotics to treat sinusitis. Explains causes of sinusitis and how well antibiotics work. Lists risks. Discusses other treatment for sinus infection. Includes interactive tool to help you decide.

• Sore Throat: Should I Take Antibiotics?

  Guides readers through the decision to take antibiotics for sore throat. Explains the causes of sore throat and that most sore throats are caused by virus. Explains that antibiotics only work for sore throat caused by bacterial infections.