May 2023: Practical picks from Affordable Pharma

May brought a wide mix of health topics — from mental health meds to supplements and infection care. I pulled together the most useful takeaways so you can scan what matters fast and decide what to read in full. No fluff, just clear tips and warnings you can use right away.

Mental health got strong coverage this month. Posts on aripiprazole (Abilify) and ziprasidone explain how these antipsychotics help stabilize mood and improve social functioning. Short version: they can reduce manic or psychotic symptoms and help people engage in daily life. Side effects and interactions vary, so track sleep, appetite, and movement changes, and keep regular check-ins with your prescriber.

On prevention and specialty drugs, Disoproxil Fumarate came up as a PrEP option for HIV prevention. If you're considering PrEP, talk to a clinic that does baseline testing and follow-up. Tacrolimus got a deep-dive too — a quick primer: it calms the immune system to prevent organ rejection, so monitoring blood levels and infection risk is part of the routine.

How to think about pain, dosing, and kids

Two posts focused on dosing: sildenafil and meloxicam in children. For sildenafil, starting doses are often adjusted by response and health conditions — follow your doctor's plan and never mix with nitrates. Meloxicam is sometimes used in older children for inflammatory conditions but needs pediatric guidance because of dosing and GI risks. If you care for kids, keep a clear med list, watch for side effects, and ask about safer alternatives when possible.

There was also a useful piece on probiotics and heart health — probiotics can help gut balance, and some strains may influence cholesterol and blood pressure. That doesn’t mean a pill replaces diet and exercise, but adding fermented foods or a targeted probiotic can be a small supportive step. Always pick a product with clear strain labels and clinical backing.

Supplements, infections, and sports care

Supplement posts covered Japanese apricot, coffee charcoal, and wild indigo. These are interesting, but treat them as supplements — not cures. Look for third-party testing, read labels, and check for interactions with prescription meds. If a supplement claims big results with no evidence, be skeptical.

On infections and injuries: amebiasis basics included how it spreads and that clean water and hygiene cut risk. Kaposi sarcoma coverage emphasized palliative care for symptom relief and quality of life. Athletes were reminded that bacterial eye infections often come from shared gear or dirty hands — simple hygiene and protective eyewear help a lot. A separate post listed common sports injuries by activity and prevention tips like proper warm-ups and strength work.

Want next steps? Pick one topic you or someone you care for relates to, read the full post, then jot down two questions to ask a clinician. Subscribe or bookmark this archive if you like practical summaries — I’ll keep these monthly roundups short and useful.

1 2