Articles

You might be wondering why a doctor would prescribe an antidepressant to treat your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sometimes low doses of antidepressants are prescribed for IBS, even if the IBS sufferer is...

Becoming a mother is a time of immense happiness for most women. But new mothers also experience frustration, worry, disappointment and guilt. Postpartum “baby blues” are common and typically start days after birth and last up to two...

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune condition with various treatment options available. This article reviews the current medications for MS and discusses the roles of genetic testing and clinical pharmacy services in optimizing treatment for each individual....

If you are the parent of a child or adolescent (teen) who has been diagnosed with clinical depression, you may be worried about your child and the implications of treatment. Children and adolescents with moderate to severe depression...

When doctors decide which medication to prescribe, they often ask about the experiences of your family members, like your parents and siblings. This is because people in the same family can share genetic traits that affect how they...

It's true that many people struggle with mental health conditions, and finding the right medication can take time. While commonly prescribed antidepressants like SSRIs are effective for mild to moderate anxiety and depression, they may not be suitable...

Statins have long being used for reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly in obese and Type 2 Diabetes patients. Clinical trials have demonstrated the positive role of...

A randomized controlled trial showed that people suffering from depression and anxiety recovered faster when their medications were optimized using Pillcheck pharmacogenetics testing (also known as pharmacogenomics or PGx testing). The study evaluated the impact of pharmacogenomics-guided prescribing...

Did you know that only 30% of people get adequate symptom relief from the first antidepressant they try? The majority end up switching drugs or adding medications to manage their condition. Until recently, depression treatment often involved much...

Have you been trying to beat fatigue with the help of coffee or cigarettes? While you might get a short-term energy boost, both will have you feeling worse in the long run. Did you know? If you’re a...

Pillcheck programs in disability and health benefits More and more Canadians are using prescription drugs for chronic diseases and mental health problems, which drive the costs of drugs and disability benefits. At the same time, drugs don’t always...

When it comes to migraines, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan. Severe, one-sided throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound are all hallmarks of migraines. Migraines may be preceded by what is known as aura,...

New weight loss medications, including semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tripeptide (Mounjaro), were originally developed for diabetes and became best-seller drugs for their remarkable efficacy and weight loss. Yet many people taking these endure severe side effects, especially when...

Tendonitis is a painful condition occurring in various body parts, such as the shoulder, bicep, elbow, hand, wrist, thumb, calf, knee, or ankle. It is often caused by excessive exercise and can be a common complication in people...

Doctors have long been aware that family heritage and ancestry can majorly impact how people respond to medications. While not many people are aware of this, in the past, research studies were conducted on populations mostly of European...

Making your day-to-day lives easier through fibromyalgia treatments Those living with fibromyalgia tend to experience a diminished quality of life due to pain, poor sleep patterns, mood swings, and memory issues. The condition is similar to those experiencing...

A growing body of evidence indicates that personalized medicine, or treatment guided by your DNA, improves mental health outcomes. A recent randomized clinical trial confirms that Pillcheck pharmacogenetics-guided medication therapy accelerates recovery for patients with depression and anxiety....

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, it is becoming evident that a significant number of people report lasting effects of the infection or have had the usual symptoms for many weeks or even months. Most people recover within two...

Study shows that over 80% could benefit from a pharmacogenetic test and improve treatment. Many older adults, especially those in elder care, are at risk of harmful medication-related side effects. Often, the issues are preventable with an easy...

Reviewed by Alison Wong, RPH. Patients suffering from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions are frequently facing significant antidepressant side effects and often have a hard time finding the right dose or drug....