Medscape's Ask the Experts allows you to ask members of a panel of leading experts for advice or information. You also have the opportunity to share your own views and insights by clicking the "Discuss this" link at the top of each response.

• Is Red Yeast Rice Effective in Lowering Lipid Levels? A recent study in the Annals of Internal Medicine has prompted clinicians to seek more information about this controversial supplement.
  Ask the Experts, November 2009
• How Aggressively Should We Treat Diabetes? When it comes to glucose control in patients with diabetes, how low should we go? Turns out, it depends on the patient.
  Ask the Experts, October 2009
• What Risks Are Associated With High-Dose Rosuvastatin? Although some clinicians prescribe off-label, high-dose rosuvastatin, such dosing may place patients at higher risk for myopathy and renal toxicity.
  Ask the Experts, October 2009
• What Risk Factors Are Associated With Antithyroid Drug-Induced Agranulocytosis? Although rare, agranulocytosis associated with propylthiouracil and methimazole may be related to patient factors and drug dosing.
  Ask the Experts, October 2009
• Psychogenic Pain or Peripheral Neuropathy? Expert David Simpson, MD, discusses diagnosing and treating painful peripheral neuropathy.
  Ask the Experts, September 2009
• How Does Alendronate Compare With Risedronate for Osteoporosis Prevention? Both agents are taken once weekly, but some differences have been found in clinical trials.
  Ask the Experts, June 2009
• Can Insulin Be Delivered via Pneumatic Tube Systems? Will the activity of insulin be altered by the shaking from pneumatic tube delivery?
  Ask the Experts, May 2009
• Should Insulin Therapy Be Adjusted for a Cardiac Stress Test? Several factors should be considered when a patient may require emergent surgery.
  Ask the Experts, May 2009
• Should Patients With Diabetes Receive Aspirin for Stroke Prevention? What is the evidence to support use of aspirin for primary or secondary stroke prevention in the diabetes population?
  Ask the Experts, April 2009
• Is Gardasil® Recommended for Young Women Already Exposed to HPV? Many clinicians are uncertain as to whether they should recommend Gardasil vaccination to young women who have already tested positive for human papillomavirus or who have had an abnormal Pap test.
  Ask the Experts, April 2009
• How Low Is Too Low for Suppressing the Lipid Profile With Statins? Target levels of LDL cholesterol keep going down, but should we use higher doses of statins to achieve those goals?
  Ask the Experts, March 2009
• Does Calcitonin Help Relieve Neuropathic Pain? Is there evidence that supports the use of salmon calcitonin in treating neuropathic pain?
  Ask the Experts, January 2009
• What Treatment Is Effective for Excessive Sweating? Hyperhidrosis is not only uncomfortable, but can also seriously affect a patient's quality of life. What can be done to help sufferers of this condition?
  Ask the Experts, January 2009
• Is It Safe To Order Drugs From Overseas Pharmacies? Alert your patients to the dangers of Internet and overseas pharmacies.
  Ask the Experts, December 2008
• Should Insulin Glargine Be Dosed Once or Twice Daily? Although considered an off-label practice, a second daily dose may benefit certain patients.
  Ask the Experts, December 2008
• Does Switching Statins Increase the Risk for Adverse Events? Patients on statin therapy sometimes must switch from one statin to another. Does that increase the risk of developing an adverse reaction?
  Ask the Experts, July 2008
• What Is the Maximum Safe Dose of Opioids? Clinicians must consider a number of patient characteristics when dosing opioid pain medications.
  Ask the Experts, February 2008
• How Should APNs Bill for Group Education? How do advanced practice nurses bill for group education for chronic conditions such as diabetes?
  Ask the Experts, February 2008
• Can Fentanyl Patches Be Replaced Sooner to Improve Pain Control? The approved dosing interval for transdermal fentanyl is 72 hours, but some pain specialists are shortening that period to provide adequate pain relief.
  Ask the Experts, January 2008
• Are NovoLog and Humalog Interchangeable? Is it appropriate to substitute one agent for the other?
  Ask the Experts, April 2007

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