DeepSummary
In this episode of the Well, Now podcast, hosts Maya Feller and Kavita Patel discuss the importance of spring cleaning medicine cabinets. They invite Dr. Mauricio Gonzalez, a board-certified physician in internal, emergency, and obesity medicine, to provide expert advice on what essential items should be kept in a medicine cabinet and what should be discarded. Dr. Gonzalez emphasizes the need for an antibiotic, a potent anti-inflammatory like prednisone, and an epinephrine auto-injector like an EpiPen.
The conversation then shifts to the topic of expiration dates, with Dr. Gonzalez recommending discarding expired medications but acknowledging that many drugs remain stable and effective for longer than their listed expiration dates. He cautions against taking expired medications for serious conditions like high cholesterol but suggests that slightly expired over-the-counter medications may be acceptable in emergencies.
The hosts and Dr. Gonzalez also discuss the widespread use of supplements and the lack of scientific evidence supporting many of their claimed benefits. Dr. Gonzalez advises against taking supplements that may interact with prescribed medications and recommends consulting with a physician before starting any new supplement regimen.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Keep essential items like an antibiotic, potent anti-inflammatory, and epinephrine auto-injector in your medicine cabinet.
- Discard expired medications, but slightly expired over-the-counter drugs may be acceptable in emergencies.
- Be cautious about taking supplements that may interact with prescribed medications or have limited scientific evidence.
- Consult with a physician before starting any new supplement regimen.
- Spring clean your medicine cabinet at least once a year and consider combining it with scheduling health screenings.
- Be mindful of the limitations of the healthcare system in providing adequate time and resources for chronic disease management.
- Discuss medication concerns and needs openly with your physician to ensure proper documentation and avoid misunderstandings.
- Acknowledge the growing trend of patients seeking health information online, and work to provide guidance and credible sources.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I have so many thoughts about that.“ by Mauricio Gonzalez
- “The answer to that question is, you are most certainly buying things that you don't need. That's a fact. And that's not a fact in you, Kavita. It's a fact in all of us.“ by Mauricio Gonzalez
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Episode Information
Well, Now
Slate Podcasts
4/3/24
Spring is a time for fresh starts. For a lot of us, that means spring cleaning.
But don’t worry, we’re not talking about the whole house.
This week, the Well, Now team is spring cleaning our medicine cabinets. What are some medicinal must-haves, and what things should we definitely toss?
Joining us to help tidy up is Dr. Mauricio Gonzalez, a board-certified physician in internal, emergency and obesity medicine.
If you liked this episode, check out: What “Wellness” Is and Isn’t
Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.
Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com
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