Medicines and Therapies

Healthcare Handbook editor and clinical pharmacist Carmen Pope explains that probiotics aren’t for everyone, but by selecting a probiotic with evidence of benefit and checking for vulnerability to side effects, certain probiotics could be beneficial for some people

With oestrogen gel now funded without restrictions, sexual health specialist Massimo Giola explains who would benefit from using it for feminisation and how switching from tablets or patches might occur. This follows his December article on the use of testosterone gel for masculinisation

Clinical microbiologist Max Bloomfield reviews the treatment of cellulitis in the community and emphasises the benefits of using high-dose oral antibiotic therapy

GP Jonathan Bentley discusses a young patient whose symptoms changed considerably upon initiation of a common treatment for urinary tract infection

Gout highlights significant health inequalities in New Zealand. Māori and Pacific peoples face higher genetic risk, earlier onset and greater severity, with more frequent pain and complications. Clinical writer Noni Richards explains how early detection and preventive treatment are essential to reduce this burden. 

Dietitian Sarah MacAvoy discusses the symptoms of Parkinson disease that affect a person’s ability to maintain good nutrition and those that can be improved with dietary strategies. She also looks at how food and medications interact

Helius Therapeutics, the leading New Zealand-based medicinal cannabis company, is excited to announce the launch of two innovative new products aimed at improving the quality of life for patients seeking alternative treatments

AS THE SHORTAGE OF the hormone replacement therapy oestradiol continues, pharmaceutical companies are doing their bit to get more supplies into the country.

ORAL PHENYLEPHRINE is ineffective and should be removed from overthe-counter nasal decongestants says a statement from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Healthcare Handbook editor and clinical pharmacist Carmen Pope looks at the harmful effects of the sun and how to prevent them, noting that sunscreens are not without risks to human and environmental health