Author: Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston University

Ibuprofen is shown to be more effective at reducing period pain. fizkes/ Shutterstock For something that affects millions every month, period pain remains surprisingly poorly treated. A recent analysis of supermarket transaction data from over three million shoppers found that paracetamol is the most purchased painkiller for menstrual cramps – despite being a less effective […]

Sildenafil (better known as Viagra) is perhaps the most famous example of a drug that has been repurposed. Yuriy Maksymiv/ Shutterstock Many medicines begin life with one purpose and end up proving useful for a completely different reason. Few areas show this more clearly than men’s health. Three drugs in particular have become household names […]

Jack_the_sparow/Shutterstock For a medicine so commonly found in bathroom cabinets and high street pharmacies, codeine has a surprisingly complicated story. It sits at the intersection of pain relief, genetics, public health and regulation. As the UK continues to tighten rules around opioid use, codeine offers a useful case study in how a drug can be […]

All sorts of supplements are marketed online as being able to improve symptoms of the menopause. Pixel-Shot/ Shutterstock Social media is saturated with menopause solutions: powders for brain fog, gummies for sleep or capsules promising hormonal balance. Supplements such as magnesium, lion’s mane, creatine and collagen are being marketed as must-haves for perimenopause and menopause. […]

pimpampix/Shutterstock Metformin has a strong claim to being one of the most influential medicines of the past century. For decades, it has underpinned the treatment of type 2 diabetes, helped millions of people control their blood sugar, and inspired a second life in research on everything from ageing and cancer to heart health and fertility. […]

Ray Geiger/Shutterstock.com When Lady Gaga recently spoke in an interview about taking lithium while suffering from a “psychotic break”, it drew attention to a drug that has long been used in psychiatry but is less widely understood outside it. Lithium has been used in psychiatric care for more than 70 years, most notably to treat […]

Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock Many people assume that medicines sold over the counter are inherently safe. After all, if you can buy something in a supermarket or high street pharmacy, how dangerous can it really be? The reality is more complicated. Several commonly used over-the-counter medicines carry a real risk of dependence, misuse or harm when taken in […]

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health. FotoHelin/ Shutterstock When the days shorten and the sun sinks low in the sky, that familiar winter slump sets in. There’s a fundamental reason for this seasonal fatigue: low levels of vitamin D – the “sunshine vitamin”. People in the UK simply can’t make enough of […]

pimpampix/Shutterstock Few medicines have sparked as much debate as statins. Cardiologists often describe them as life-saving, while some patients remain wary of side effects or uneasy about taking a daily pill. Statins sit at the intersection of medical treatment and everyday lifestyle because high cholesterol is strongly influenced by factors such as diet, physical activity, […]

Media_Photos/Shutterstock From festive sauces to brightly coloured juices, cranberries have long been part of our diets. Beyond their tart flavour and seasonal appeal, these red berries are often described as a superfood with several potential health benefits. Cranberry supplements are promoted as a convenient way to get these benefits without the sugar or sharp taste […]