Drug reviews - Druggist.Online

Modafinil alternatives: BEST cognitive enhancers

Modafinil (brand name Provigil) is one of the primary drugs used in the management of narcolepsy in the UK. Narcolepsy is a rare condition that affects sleep control and results in daytime sleepiness, often sudden and uncontrollable. The public’s interest in modafinil comes from the drug’s association with a class of medicines called ‘smart drugs‘, also called nootropics and cognitive enhancers. Many individuals search for cognitive enhancement drugs, and modafinil tends to be one of the main drugs which always gets mentioned. Today I will review modafinil alternatives, drugs that promote awakeness and/or improve cognitive functions. I will not review over the counter modafinil alternatives or modafinil’s natural alternatives simply because none of the existing supplements or over the counter products have the same effect as modafinil. If they did, they would not be available over the counter (at least in the UK). Please read the related post: How to get modafinil? to learn various aspects of modafinil’s supply in the UK.

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Can you get melatonin over the counter in the UK?

Melatonin is a hormone that is released at night by the pineal gland located in the brain. Melatonin controls the sleep-wake cycle (24-hour cycle). In other words, melatonin acts as a biological clock that regulates sleep. Melatonin, therefore, can be used to promote and regulate sleep (Wagner et al., 1998). This post answers the question: Can you get melatonin over the counter in the UK? Additionally, the availability of different areas of melatonin supply in the UK will be discussed.

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BEST haemorrhoids treatment UK [Reviewed]

Haemorrhoids (haemorrhoids), also known as piles, is a common condition that causes rectal symptoms. Today I will review the best haemorrhoids treatment in the UK. I will discuss the best haemorrhoids treatment over the counter in the UK (part one) and prescription-only options to treat piles (part 2).

Summary:

What are haemorrhoids?
Symptoms of haemorrhoids
Causes and risk factors for haemorrhoids
How to prevent piles?
Do I need to see my GP?
How to treat constipation associated with haemorrhoids?
What is the recommended treatment of haemorrhoids?
The best haemorrhoids treatment in the UK
- The best haemorrhoids treatment over the counter the UK (part 1)
- The best haemorrhoids treatment – prescription-only options (part 2)
What is the best haemorrhoid treatment (UK) in pregnancy?
Conclusion

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Best OINTMENT or CREAM for insect bites

For many customers, ointment or cream for insect bites is the first line of rescue in stings management. In this post, I will review the best ointment or cream for insect bites available over the counter and from pharmacies. I will also discuss alternative options for insect bites, mainly the use of antihistamines. As with many of my previous posts, I will base my recommendations on the evidence (if possible) and draw a conclusion. Continue reading “Best OINTMENT or CREAM for insect bites”

Statins PROS and CONS [TOP LIST]

Statins, also known as lipid-lowering drugs, are a popular class of drugs prescribed in the UK. When looking at the most popular drugs in the UK, atorvastatin was the most prescribed drug. Simvastatin also made to the top of most commonly prescribed drugs. Historically, statins have been subject to scrutiny from the press, mostly picking on a negative aspect of stain treatment. In today’s post, I will discuss statins pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages). I will also review other areas of statin treatment, like sid effects, effectiveness and more, to support the most comprehensive list of statins pros and cons.

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5 Best Non-Drowsy Hayfever Tablets

Hayfever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis is a common condition which occurs mainly during spring and summer seasons. Hayfever symptoms happen in response to allergens such as tree or grass pollen and may include runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes. Thankfully there are few non-drowsy hayfever tablets, which I am going to review. Non-drowsy antihistamines, which can be purchased over the counter in the UK include:

Cetirizine
Loratadine
Acrivastine
Fexofenadine

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Can you take co-codamol with naproxen and diazepam?

Today I will review the use of three different drugs, which occasionally are prescribed at the same time or in combination with one another. This post aims to answer the following question: can you take co-codamol with naproxen and diazepam? As a part of the discussion, I will review a licensed use of each drug and reasoning for combination treatment. Remember to follow the directions given by your prescriber.

Co-codamol: use, mechanism of action and common side effects
Naproxen: use, mechanism of action and common side effects
Diazepam: use, mechanism of action and common side effects
Can you take co-codamol with naproxen?
Can you take naproxen and diazepam?
Can you take co-codamol with diazepam?

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Co-dydramol vs co-codamol – two related opioids

Co-codamol is one of the most popular drugs prescribed in the UK and almost the most popular prescription painkiller. Co-dydramol, on the other hand, is much less popular medicine used for the management of pain. I will highlight the main differences between both drugs and (if possible) review the effectiveness of both drugs as painkillers. Co-dydramol vs co-codamol summary of the post:

Difference between co-codamol and co-dydramol (active ingredients)
Co-dydramol vs co-codamol: Availability of both drugs on prescription and over the counter options
Which drug is more popular?
Co-dydramol vs co-codamol – effectiveness. Is one better than the other?
Common side effects

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20 most popular prescription painkillers UK

The main focus of today’s post is to review the most popular prescription painkillers in the UK. I previously reviewed the popularity of different drugs in the UK, which may interest you: Top 15 most prescribed drugs in the UK & most popular antidepressants in the UK. Most popular prescription painkillers (UK) will be ranked according to the volume of prescriptions issued in the last 12 months by GPs in the UK. Prescribing data was extracted from Openprescribing.net, a website which process information from the NHS in England, making information on prescribed drugs more accessible. I will make a short comment on each drug to give a better understanding of the context.

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18 products ALTERNATIVE to PARACETAMOL

Paracetamol, one of the most prescribed drugs in the UK, and probably the most popular over the counter medicine has been recently subject to shortages due to increased demand in recent months. In the last 1-2 years, surgeries across the countries advised many patients to purchase paracetamol over the counter to reduce the cost of drugs prescribed on the NHS. In today’s post, I will discuss drugs alternative to paracetamol. Firstly, I will list some common combination of drugs, which contain paracetamol, which may be used if standard paracetamol tablets or capsules. Secondly, I will review alternative to paracetamol analgesics which are commonly available in the UK.