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Articles on Weekly Dose

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Naloxone has been made available over the counter from a pharmacist so loved-ones of drug users can have it on hand in the event of an overdose. from www.shutterstock.com.au

Weekly Dose: Naloxone, how to save a life from opioid overdose

Naloxone is used as an “antidote” for opioid overdose which includes heroin, and opioid pain medicines such as morphine, fentanyl and codeine.
PrEP works by preventing susceptible cells becoming infected with HIV. Truvada blocks the HIV virus from making copies of itself. Marc Bruxelle/Shutterstock

Weekly Dose: Truvada, the drug that can prevent HIV infection

Efficacy is estimated to be as high as 99% in men who have sex with men who take Truvada daily.
Long-term use is not recommended because of the known side effects. But it took two decades, after its release in the 1960s, to recognise this. 3 0 d a g a r m e d a n a l h u s Follow/Flickr

Weekly Dose: Valium, the ‘safer choice’ that led to dependence and addiction

Benzodiazepines, like alcohol, are depressant drugs, sometimes referred to as “downers” as they make people feel relaxed, sleepy, less coordinated and generally slowed down.
Some data has found one pill is slightly more effective, but you need to visit your doctor to get it and it needs to be taken in a hurry. from www.shutterstock.com.au

Weekly Dose: new morning after pill makes it difficult to choose which to take

Until 2015 the “morning after pill” Postinor was the only oral emergency contraception available in Australia. A new option, EllaOne, is available. How are they different, and which should you choose?
Heroin dependence can be treated with pharmaceutical heroin - but it hasn’t been approved in Australia. from www.shutterstock.com.au

Weekly dose: treating heroin dependence with heroin

Heroin was used medically in Australia for coughs and pain relief until 1953.
Neuropathic pain often doesn’t respond to common painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. from shutterstock.com

Weekly dose: Lyrica, the epilepsy drug that treats chronic nerve pain

Lyrica, the brand name for a medicine called pregabalin, is an anti-epileptic drug most commonly used to treat chronic nerve pain - a type of pain caused by abnormality in, or damage to, the nerves.
Viagra was discovered by accident when participants in a study looking at a treatment for high blood pressure reported an interesting side effect. Felix E Guerrero/Flickr

Weekly dose: the hard facts on Viagra

Viagra is one brand name of a drug that is used to treat the inability to get, and maintain, an erection.

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