July 2023 Archives — Practical drug guides, skin care and treatment updates

This month we published clear, useful pieces on treatments and drug safety that matter to patients and caregivers. You’ll find quick reads on gut medicines, antifungal resistance, skin care for autoimmune rash, a practical note on gelatin as a supplement, liver safety with hydroxychloroquine, off-label antibiotic uses, and how stem cell transplants actually work. Below I summarize what each post tells you and what to do next.

Key drug and treatment guides

Rifaximin: our post explains how rifaximin helps some people with Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome by rebalancing gut bacteria and cutting symptoms. It’s not a fix-all, but for people with bacterial overgrowth or related symptoms, doctors often consider it. If you’re interested, ask your clinician about stool testing and how long to take the drug.

Griseofulvin resistance: we dug into why resistance happens—usually genetic mutations or stopping treatment early or using too-low doses. The practical takeaway: finish the full course, follow dosing instructions, and if a fungus doesn’t clear, options like terbinafine or itraconazole are common next steps. Your provider can run cultures to pick the right drug.

Sulfamethoxazole off-label uses: this antibiotic shows up beyond standard infections. We cover its use for acne management and certain pneumonia types. Off-label doesn’t mean safe for everyone—talk risks, drug interactions, and monitoring with your prescriber before trying off-label therapy.

Skin, supplements and safety notes

Dermatitis herpetiformis skin care: gluten-free topical products, creams with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, and gentle moisturizers can ease itch and protect the skin barrier. Still, skin care complements medical treatment; see a dermatologist before changing routines.

Gelatin as a supplement: gelatin (a form of collagen) can help skin hydration, joint comfort, and digestion for some people. We explain simple ways to add it to your diet and what to expect—moderate benefits, not miracles. Look for quality sources and discuss supplements with your clinician if you’re on medications or have allergies.

Hydroxychloroquine and the liver: while generally safe, hydroxychloroquine can affect liver function in some people, especially those with pre-existing liver conditions. Our post recommends baseline liver tests and periodic monitoring while on the drug. If you spot unusual fatigue, jaundice, or persistent stomach pain, call your provider promptly.

Stem cell transplants in cancer: we cover why transplants are used (to replace damaged bone marrow), the difference between autologous and donor transplants, and the main risks like infection and graft-versus-host disease. This post aims to set realistic expectations and suggest questions to ask your transplant team.

If one of these topics matters to you, read the full post and bring notes to your next medical visit. Want me to pull together quick checklists or printable questions for any of these posts? Say which topic and I’ll make one.