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The average older adult in the United States takes five prescription drugs per day. Half of these drugs contain a sedative. Alcohol should therefore be avoided by most senior citizens because of the dangerous interactions between alcohol and sedatives.
Drug abusers experience the following scenario: The pleasure given by their drug (or drugs) of choice is so strong that it is difficult to eradicate even after years of staying away from the substances involved. Certain triggers may cause a drug abuser to relapse. Research shows that long-term drug abuse results in significant changes in brain function that persist long after an individual stops using drugs. It is most important to realize that the same is true of not just illegal substances but alcohol and tobacco as well.
Blood in the urine can be a sign of a kidney stone, glomerulonephritis, or other kidney problems.
For pediatric patients, intravenous fluids are the most commonly cited products involved in medication errors that are reported to the USP.
In the United States, an estimated 50 million unnecessary antibiotics are prescribed for viral respiratory infections.

