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In the United States, an estimated 50 million unnecessary antibiotics are prescribed for viral respiratory infections.
When blood is exposed to air, it clots. Heparin allows the blood to come in direct contact with air without clotting.
Aspirin is the most widely used drug in the world. It has even been recognized as such by the Guinness Book of World Records.
For high blood pressure (hypertension), a new class of drug, called a vasopeptidase blocker (inhibitor), has been developed. It decreases blood pressure by simultaneously dilating the peripheral arteries and increasing the body's loss of salt.
Serum cholesterol testing in adults is recommended every 1 to 5 years. People with diabetes and a family history of high cholesterol should be tested even more frequently.