Dear Pharmacist,
Last week, you gave a ‘Dumb’ Award to “anti-depressant drugs and the doctors who prescribe them for every woman who is tired or tearful.” I struggle with depression, and my medications don’t help. Can you elaborate?  –D.D.  Tacoma, Washington

Answer: You and millions of other people will get shuffled from one psychiatrist to another, [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
I’m 31 and the only medication I take is Camilla (birth control pills) and occasional ibuprofen for menstrual cramps.  Today, the doctor prescribed Synthroid (for my fatigue and low thyroid ) and Paxil because I cried when I told him how badly I felt.
–H.W. Miami, Florida

Answer:  Welcome to the medication merry go [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
My 16-year-old daughter has been taking an antidepressant drug for depression for 10 months. She was doing better and enjoying life but in the past few weeks her sadness has set back in. She isolates herself and I hear her crying all the time. She’s irritable and refuses to participate in family activities. [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
My pharmacist told me that my antidepressant, Wellbutrin, is the same medicine that my husband takes to stop smoking. Is this true?
M.M., Jacksonville, Florida
Answer:  Yes. It’s a surprise to most people when they hear this. But there are a many drugs that are cleverly marketed to different populations and sold under different trade [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
I take Zoloft for depression. It doesn‘t seem to work as well anymore. I also have a chronic illness, which I’d rather not disclose. Can Zoloft lose it’s effect like this?
M.B., Sanibel, Florida
Answer:  Yes. Sometimes we grow tolerant to a drug so it seems like the magic effect is gone. Or a drug [...]