Medications and treatments Archive

Many manufacturers are changing the ingredients in over-the-counter decongestants. How the new and old ingredients can affect your health, especially if you have heart disease.

A 2026 study suggests that people who take GLP-1 drugs-prescribed for diabetes and weight loss-are less likely to develop a substance use disorder. Among people who already have addiction, use of a GLP-1 was linked with fewer complications such as overdose and death.

Research suggests that people who stop taking GLP-1 weight-loss drugs typically regain all the weight they lost in under two years. To sustain their progress, these people should eat more protein, fiber, and healthy fats; eat on a consistent schedule; exercise; and prioritize sleep.

A 2025 study suggests that very low levels of lithium in the brain might be linked to Alzheimer's disease. In mice, certain lithium supplements seemed to protect memory and the brain. But scientists don't yet know if lithium pills are safe or helpful for people.

People sometimes have difficulty knowing if they should seek care at an emergency room or an urgent care center. Urgent care centers can treat health problems that don't endanger lives, while emergency rooms can treat serious or life-threatening problems.

For people who are concerned they're drinking too much but don't want to give up alcohol entirely, the Sinclair Method may help. It involves taking naltrexone (a drug that dampens alcohol's euphoric effects) an hour or two before drinking.