Articles

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is often treated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Normally, people are first prescribed the SSRIs citalopram, escitalopram or sertraline. Trials show that only 50% to 60% of people respond to these medications, remission...

The legalization of cannabis poses a challenge for employers and insurers, as they are expected to cover the cost of medical cannabis as a part of their employee health benefits. A recent Deloitte report indicates that 7% of...

Among the recreational users, less than 30% of Cannabis is used for specific medical reasons, such as chronic pain management, nausea treatment, or anxiety and sleep. Source: A society in transition, an industry ready to bloom from Deloitte...

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a very common condition that can have dangerous health consequences. Fortunately, many medications options are available to: Lower blood pressure numbers to a healthy range, and Prevent serious heart disease, stroke and...

Detrol (tolterodine) causes sleep disturbance side effects in patients who are slow drug metabolizers One of the most common manifestations of ‘urinary incontinence’ is excessive bladder wall contraction – causing an uncontrollable urge to visit the washroom. Antimuscarinics...

A universal truth of all medications is that no matter how beneficial they may be, they are always associated with some risks. Perhaps some of the most controversial medications are antidepressants, especially when they are used to treat...

How drugs affect the body Many commonly used drugs can be helpful for most while causing adverse reactions in others. Medication needs to be absorbed and then metabolized into a biologically active form or inactivated at a certain...

Key points to remember: If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with psychotic depression, treatment may involve both antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. Continuing treatment with Zoloft (sertraline) and Zyprexa (olanzapine) even after a patient is considered...

Some people are convinced that Advil is much more effective at relieving their pain than Tylenol, or vice versa. Is it all in their heads? Could they be under the influence of effective advertising or brand loyalty? More...

Change your life and mind through genetic testing for psychiatric medications Pharmacogenetics can provide life-changing information regarding which drugs may work best based on your genetic makeup. It can assess how your body metabolizes and reacts to different...

We're thrilled to announce that the Pillcheck team was honoured to be among the four winners, selected from top innovators across Canada, at the Arthritis Society Canada’s 2023 Arthritis Ideator Awards. Fueled by the trust and support of...

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that arises due to various genetic variations. Recent genomic studies identified the role of structural DNA changes in hundreds of genes in the predisposition to ASD. Although there are...

Many people struggling with depression and anxiety look to vitamins and supplements as a natural alternative or complement to pharmaceutical antidepressants. But are they safe and effective? New clinical studies show the promising role of some vitamins and...

While it is well known that many antidepressants are associated with weight gain, the mechanism was unclear until recently. In the past three years, large-scale studies identified the link between the genes involved in antidepressant metabolism and disturbances...

Many people don’t like taking statins because of side effects, yet they can be vital to reducing your risk of heart-related problems and death. Another benefit is a lower risk of cancer. A recent analysis of large-scale health...

Untreated depression can affect all facets of life. It can ruin relationships at work and home, disrupt sleep, increase the chance of risky behaviours such as drug or alcohol addiction, and make it difficult to overcome physical illnesses....

Many millions of people worldwide will suffer from a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime. Adderall and Xanax are drugs used to treat serious mental health conditions. Taking them together without proper diagnosis and supervision...

Written by: Dora Chan, PharmD, MS (Nutrition) One of my first nutrition clients was a friend looking for help with a sugar “detox”. I hadn’t coached anyone through this process before, but I came up with a detailed...

The concept of pharmacogenetics, that is, a link between genetic variations and drug response, is over 70 years old. The first paper on the topic was published in 1957 by Arno G Motulsky. Werner Kalow published the book...

How does the Pillcheck pharmacogenetic program make health benefit plans more inclusive, reflecting our true biological diversity? Includes interviews with experts in human genetics and John Papastergiou, a published expert in pharmacogenetics in the pharmacy setting, explaining why...