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Key takeaways Metformin is a medication commonly prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes, although it is also used to help people with prediabetes and PCOS. Metformin starts reducing blood sugar within two to three days of beginning the medication. It may take up to three months to see the full clinical results of metformin in your A1C test results. In this article Metformin is a first-line oral medication for the management of Type 2 diabetes, along with exercise and changes to diet.

Key takeaways Donepezil is the generic version of Aricept and is FDA-approved to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Generic donepezil contains the same active ingredient as Aricept but may have different inactive ingredients and usually costs less. Donepezil is often taken at night, but it may be recommended for morning dosing if it causes sleep problems. In this article Aricept is a brand-name prescription medication used to treat dementia of the Alzheimer’s type.

Key takeaways Colon cancer is the third most common non-skin-related cancer in the U.S. and worldwide. Risk factors for colon cancer include advanced age, being born male, personal or family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and lifestyle factors such as being sedentary, eating a lot of processed foods and red meats, and smoking. The best way to prevent colon cancer, or catch it at an early, treatable stage,  is to have a screening test such as a colonoscopy.

Key takeaways Meclizine hydrochloride is an antihistamine that is used to treat motion sickness and vertigo. Like alcohol, it’s a central nervous system depressant, which means it can cause sedation. Combining meclizine with alcohol may compound the sedating effects of both substances, which can lead to issues like excessive drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, and unsteadiness.

Key takeaways Prostate cancer affects about 1 in 8 men in the U.S. during their lifetime. Early-stage prostate cancer has a five-year relative survival rate of more than 99%. Advances in screening, diagnosis, and treatment continue to improve how prostate cancer is detected and managed. In this article Prostate cancer is common, especially as men get older, but a diagnosis can look very different from one person to the next.

Key takeaways UTIs are more common in the summer because of dehydration, summer travel, and increased exposure to moisture. Prevent summer UTIs by staying hydrated, using the bathroom often, changing out of wet bathing suits and clothing, and wearing loose-fitting, breathable undergarments. Antibiotics such as Amoxicillin, Macrobid, Cipro, and Bactrim are almost always used to treat UTIs; leaving a UTI untreated can lead to a more serious infection.

Key takeaways Doxycycline treats bacterial, not viral, ear infections. It is usually not the first-choice antibiotic for ear infections. Symptoms may improve within 48–72 hours, but patients should finish the full course. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and sun sensitivity.

Key takeaways Stroke is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and around the world, but most strokes can be prevented. Stroke costs nearly $60,000 per patient per year in the U.S. Age, sex, race, and genetics increase the risk of stroke, but so can your lifestyle habits. In this article Someone has a stroke every 40 seconds in the U.S., and every 1 out of 5 strokes is fatal. Stroke becomes more common with age, but anyone can have a stroke, even children and in utero fetuses.

Key takeaways There is no generic for Breztri Aerosphere as of 2026. Multiple patents for Breztri extend as far as 2038, which means generics may not be available until after they expire. Coverage and savings options for Breztri are available, some of which may reduce a patient’s out-of-pocket costs to $0. In this article Breztri Aerosphere is a brand-name prescription inhaler with three active ingredients: budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate.

Key takeaways Low-volume PEG preps only require the patient to drink less than 1–2 liters of bowel prep solution before their colonoscopy (compared to the traditional 4 liters), making them a preferable option for some. Although the Affordable Care Act requires coverage of colonoscopy procedures and preparation, many Medicare plans still have high copays for low-volume PEG options.