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.

• Do Elderly Patients Require High-Dose Influenza Vaccine? Which elderly patients are candidates for the high-dose influenza virus vaccine?
  Ask the Experts, October 2011
• Does Long-term Levothyroxine Use Cause Bone Loss? Can chronic use of levothyroxine put patients at risk for fractures?
  Ask the Experts, September 2011
• Bath Salts: An 'Ivory Wave' Epidemic? Are you aware of this dangerous "legal high"?
  Ask the Experts, August 2011
• How Can I Help Patients Get Their Medications? Resources are available to assist patients who cannot afford their medications.
  Ask the Experts, July 2011
• Can Polymyxins Be Used for Multidrug-Resistant Organisms? How are colistin and polymyxin B dosed for MDRO infection?
  Ask the Experts, July 2011
• Can Venlafaxine Treat Menopausal Hot Flashes? Antidepressants have been studied as alternatives to estrogen therapy for management of vasomotor symptoms.
  Ask the Experts, May 2011
• At What Age Is a Patient an Adult? Carolyn Buppert explains what you should consider before accepting adolescent patients if you are an adult NP.
  Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses, April 2011
• What Are the Effects of Salvia Use in Adolescents? News reports about celebrities smoking salvia have spurred questions about this substance in teens.
  Ask the Experts, April 2011
• Why Do Antihypertensives Cause Cough? Persistent cough can be a challenge for patients taking medication for hypertension.
  Ask the Experts, March 2011
• Should Belimumab Have Been Approved? Belimumab was recently approved by the FDA to treat lupus in combination with standard therapies. Dr. Stephen Paget discusses when this drug might come in handy (and when it won't).
  Ask the Experts, March 2011
• Alternating Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen in Children: Unsafe? Is there evidence to support the alternating of acetaminophen and ibuprofen in children?
  Ask the Experts, March 2011
• Pramipexole and Compulsive Gambling: What Are the Odds? Are you monitoring patients with Parkinson disease or RLS for these unusual adverse effects?
  Ask the Experts, March 2011
• Why Is the OGTT Used in Pregnancy? Diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus requires use of oral glucose.
  Ask the Experts, February 2011
• Does Strontium Ranelate Affect Smell or Taste? This dietary supplement is commonly used for osteoporosis.
  Ask the Experts, February 2011
• Should Proton-Pump Inhibitors Be Avoided in Pregnant Women? Recent news about possible cardiac anomalies in pregnant women exposed to proton-pump inhibitors raises concerns among providers and patients.
  Ask the Experts, February 2011
• Who Needs Serum Testing for Genital Herpes? Testing is recommended for certain patients, although there are drawbacks to testing as well as benefits.
  Ask the Experts, February 2011
• Clostridium difficile Treatment -- To Be Continued? How should initial and recurrent C difficile infection be treated?
  Ask the Experts, January 2011
• When Should Epilepsy Surgery Be Considered? The frequency of seizures may not be the only consideration for epilepsy surgery in the AED-resistant patient.
  Ask the Experts, January 2011
• Is it Safe to Conceive While on Methotrexate? Is it safe to conceive while the man or woman is taking methotrexate? Dr. Stephen Paget answers this question and reviews which rheumatologic medications are contraindicated in pregnancy.
  Ask the Experts, January 2011
• Is Acetaminophen Harmful in Children? Dr. Balistreri summarizes the current evidence linking acetaminophen with liver damage.
  Ask the Experts, January 2011

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