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.

• Which Antidepressants Treat Comorbid Anxiety and Depression? Certain antidepressants may be useful for patients with coexisting depression and anxiety.
  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
• Michael Jackson and Chronic Pain Michael Jackson suffered from chronic pain and an untimely death at age 50.
  Ask the Experts, July 2009
• What Drug Interactions Are Common in Treatment-Resistant Depression? Polypharmacy and numerous other factors should be considered in these patients.
  Ask the Experts, June 2009
• Can Mirtazapine be Used to Treat OCD Symptoms Associated With Asperger's Syndrome? Dr. Bethany DiPaula addresses whether Mirtazapine can be effectively used to Asperger's Syndrome patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  Ask the Experts, April 2009
• Triple Rule-out CTA in the Emergency Department Is triple rule-out CTA the best diagnostic modality for distinguishing the cause of chest pain in the emergency department?
  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
• What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Bundles to Prevent Infection in the ICU? Bundles seem to be everywhere. Read our expert's tips on implementing bundles in the ICU.
  Ask the Experts, March 2009
• How Does Mirtazapine Induce Weight Gain? This antidepressant is associated with weight gain in patients who take it, but what is the mechanism of action, and can the weight gain be avoided?
  Ask the Experts, March 2009
• What Antibiotic Covers Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) Infection? Is piperacillin/tazobactam adequate, or should you add a penicillinase-resistant penicillin?
  Ask the Experts, February 2009
• Withholding Opioids From Patients Opioid therapy is an accepted treatment; prescribing opioids appropriately will not result in disciplinary sanctions.
  Ask the Experts, February 2009
• What Are the Legal Risks of Declining to Provide Narcotic Pain Medication? With emphasis on customer satisfaction in healthcare, providers may worry about not issuing or honoring a controlled substance prescription when they question the patient's need for the drugs.
  Ask the Experts, January 2009
• When Is Skin Testing for Penicillin Allergy Indicated? Many patients report penicillin allergies, but who is really allergic, and who needs skin testing?
  Ask the Experts, January 2009
• Antipsychotics and Akathisia Dr. Nathan E. Lavid discusses the likelihood that certain antipsychotic medication induces akathisia.
  Ask the Experts, December 2008
• 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
• Opioid Use and Medicaid Medicaid has systems in place to detect fraud or abuse of medications by people who should not have them.
  Ask the Experts, December 2008
• Overuse of the Emergency Department for Pain Medications Hospital-specific guidelines influence pain medication use in the ED.
  Ask the Experts, December 2008
• Overuse of Opioids How do you manage a patient who has obvious opioid overuse and dependency yet he or she does not want to stop taking opioids?
  Ask the Experts, December 2008
• How Common or Significant Is Serotonin Syndrome? More and more patients are taking multiple antidepressants, raising the risk for toxic interactions.
  Ask the Experts, November 2008
• Management of Hypothyroidism in Patients on Lithium Prophylaxis for Bipolar Disorder Dr. Joseph Goldberg discusses the latest guidelines regarding the management of hypothyroidism in patients with bipolar disorder on lithium prophylaxis.
  Ask the Experts, October 2008

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