Health Library

Articles In This Section

• Precision Medicine

  Precision medicine is a new way to treat and prevent illnesses. It uses the differences in a person's genes, environment, and lifestyle to customize care.

• Pharmacogenetics: How Genetic Testing Can Guide Medicine Decisions

  Pharmacogenetics, also called pharmacogenomics, is the study of how our genes affect our response to some, but not all, medicines.

• How to Safely Store and Dispose of Medicines

  Part of using medicines safely is knowing how to store them and how to get rid of them after they expire or are no longer needed.

• How to Safely Give Ibuprofen

  What kind? How much? How often? Find out how to give this pain medicine.

• Helping Kids Take Medicine

  Try these tips to get kids to take "yucky" medicines.

• Giving Opioid Prescription Pain Medicine: What Parents Need to Know

  If your child’s health care provider prescribed a prescription pain medicine that contains an opioid, you probably have many questions about how to use it safely. Get answers here.

• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

  Complementary and alternative medicine are types of medicine and healing that differ from conventional medicine. They include things like mind–body therapies, nutritional therapies, body-based therapies, and whole medicine systems.

• Acupuncture

  Acupuncture is the practice of putting tiny needles into specific spots of the body for medical therapy. Scientific evidence shows that it works for some kinds of medical conditions by stimulating the body to release natural pain killers and other chemicals.

• Talking to the Pharmacist

  If your child is sick, you'll probably have many questions to ask your doctor. But have you made a list of questions and concerns to share with your pharmacist?

• The Danger of Antibiotic Overuse

  Taking antibiotics too often or for the wrong reason has led to a dangerous rise in bacteria that no longer respond to medicine. Find out what you can do to prevent antibiotic overuse.

• Reye Syndrome

  Reye syndrome is an extremely rare but serious illness. Cases have dropped greatly since the finding of a link between the illness and aspirin use in kids and teens.

• What Should I Do if I Can’t Find Cold & Flu Medicines for My Child?

  Many stores and pharmacies are struggling to keep children’s cold and flu medicines in stock. Here are some ways parents can handle the current shortage.

• Medicines: Using Them Safely

  Giving kids medicine safely can be complicated. Here's how you can help treat your child's illness while you prevent dangerous reactions.

• Does My Child Need an Antibiotic? (Video)

  Antibiotics are powerful medicines that can help kids feel better -- but only when they have certain illnesses. Find out if an antibiotic is right for your child.

• How to Safely Give Acetaminophen

  What kind? How much? How often? Find out how to give this pain and fever medicine.

• Common Questions About Vaccines

  Vaccines protect kids from potentially deadly diseases. Learn about what they are, how they work, and what they do.

• Epidurals

  Epidurals can make giving birth more calm, controlled, and comfortable. Find out more.

• What Is an Insulin Pump?

  An insulin pump is a wearable device that some people with diabetes use to get insulin, instead of getting it from an injection.

• Taking Insulin for Diabetes

  Some people with diabetes need to take insulin to help keep their blood sugars in a healthy range.

• Medicines for Diabetes

  Whether your child is taking insulin or pills (or both) to control diabetes, it's important to learn how diabetes medicines work.

• Insulin Injections

  Before giving an insulin injection, know the basics so you can set up and do it safely and with confidence.

• Glucagon and Diabetes

  Sometimes, if someone with diabetes has very low blood sugar, they need a dose of glucagon to get their blood sugar back to a healthy range.

• MIBG Treatment for Neuroblastoma

  MIBG is a molecule that doctors combine with low-dose radioactive iodine to look for neuroblastoma. Given with higher-dose radioactive iodine, it can treat this cancer.

• Chemotherapy

  Chemotherapy (chemo) is treatment with medicines that stop the growth of cancer cells.

• ADHD Medicines

  Medicine doesn’t cure ADHD. But it does help boost a child's ability to pay attention, slow down, and have more self-control. This article for parents has details on how ADHD medicines help.

• How Can I Help My Child Use a Nebulizer?

  Nebulizers are often used with young children because they require little effort on the child's part. But kids do need to stay in one place and cooperate. If you're having trouble giving treatments, this article is for you!

• Hydroxyurea for People With Sickle Cell Disease

  Hydroxyurea is a medicine that can help kids and teens who have sickle cell disease. Find out how it works.

• PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

  PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is when someone takes medicines every day to lower his or her chances of getting HIV.

• Teaching Your Child How to Swallow Pills

  Swallowing a pill is something that many of us take for granted. But just like any skill, learning to swallow a pill takes practice.

• Penicillin Allergy

  Some people have allergic reactions to penicillin or other antibiotics in the penicillin family. Someone who is allergic to penicillin must avoid all antibiotics in the penicillin family.