Skip to main content Skip to footer
Book now
Log in Book now

Mirtazapine, sold under the brand name Remeron, is a tetracyclic antidepressant primarily used to treat major depressive disorder. It is also occasionally prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders. Patients taking mirtazapine often report improvements in sleep, problem-solving, and personal interactions due to reduced anxiety. The exact mechanism of action is not fully understood but is believed to involve serotonin, a neurotransmitter that aids brain cell communication.

Mirtazapine Dosage

Mirtazapine is available in tablet form. The usual dosage ranges from 15 to 45 mg per day.

Common Side Effects of Mirtazapine

Cost of Mirtazapine

The price of Remeron (mirtazapine) ranges between $8.00 and $22.00 with a coupon for a month’s supply. 

How to Get a Prescription for Remeron

Mirtazapine is a prescription medication available only with a prescription from a physician or other licensed prescriber. Did you know? QuickMD can treat your depression remotely via telemedicine and prescribe Remeron online.

Understanding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is crucial if you need to take time off from work due to illness. Your employer may request a sick note from your doctor to verify your condition. The FMLA, enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor, grants you up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave if your employer is subject to it. This is for certain health conditions affecting either you or your immediate family.

However, you might want certain health conditions kept private. So, what exactly can an employer ask for in a sick note, and what information can they request to be included?

Medical Leave Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

If your employer falls under the FMLA, you can claim medical leave if you have a severe health condition that prevents you from performing your job responsibilities. This includes incapacity due to pregnancy or prenatal medical care.

You can also apply for medical leave if you have a close family member with a serious health condition. That family member can be your spouse, children, or parents.

According to the FMLA, a serious health condition is an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that requires inpatient care or continuing treatment by a healthcare provider. It doesn’t cover common medical conditions like an upset stomach or routine medical checkups.

What Your Employer Can Ask For

When applying for medical leave, your employer may ask for certification that supports the reasons for your leave application. If this is the case, you must provide a complete certification within 15 calendar days, barring any exceptional circumstances. It’s your responsibility to seek a healthcare provider to provide the certification requested. This process ensures that your employer has the necessary information to understand and approve your leave.

Your employer has the right to contact the healthcare provider to clarify or authenticate the certification or request a second (or third) medical opinion at the employer’s own expense. However, it’s important to note that your employer may not inquire about the specific medical condition due to HIPAA privacy laws—unless you waive these rights. This ensures the confidentiality of your medical information.

After the certification process is complete, your employer is required to notify you whether your leave is covered under FMLA. Your employer can deny your FMLA application if you do not provide complete certification as requested. A certification is considered incomplete if any applicable entries are not completed; it is considered insufficient if the information provided is too vague.

The most essential elements of a sick note are the information that establishes the medical necessity of your medical leave and an estimation of the dates or duration of which your medical leave is necessary.

You can find the full employer’s guide to the FMLA here.

Getting a Doctor’s Note Online with QuickMD

Did you know you can have a virtual consultation with a licensed physician to obtain a doctor’s note online? This convenient service, offered by QuickMD, can help you save time and effort. Book an online consultation today. Shortly after your consultation, you will be emailed your work note if you qualify for one. Otherwise, your visit is free. This can be a great relief when you’re not feeling well and need to focus on your recovery.

Mirapex (Pramipexole) is used for treating Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome (RLS). Parkinson’s disease is caused by the death of brain cells that make up a small black layer of the brain called the substantia nigra. When 80% of the substantia nigra cells die, patients experience muscle spasms, poor muscle control, tremor, and difficulties with balance. This is because the substantia nigra produces dopamine, a molecule that helps some brain cells communicate. A lack of dopamine produces Parkinson’s disease. Mirapex treats Parkinson’s disease by acting like dopamine upon brain cells.

RLS causes leg discomfort that is relieved by leg movement, usually in the evening and at night when the legs are at rest. The cause of this condition is less well understood, but low levels of dopamine have been associated with symptoms.

Dose of Pramipexole

Mirapex is available in tablets. The usual dose is 0.125 to 0.75mg per day.

Common Side Effects:

Cost of Pramipexole (Mirapex)

The price of pramipexole ranges from $3.90 to $28.00 for a bottle of 30 tablets, strength 0.25mg, with a coupon.

Where Can I Buy Pramipexole (Mirapex)

Pramipexole is a prescription medication that must be prescribed by a physician or other licensed prescriber. Did you know? QuickMD can refill your Parkinson’s medications remotely via video or phone and prescribe Mirapex online.

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. The top number, or systole, measures the force when the heart beats, and the bottom number, or diastole, measures the force between beats. A healthy blood pressure should not exceed 120/80.

What can happen if hypertension, or high blood pressure, is not treated? Although hypertension is not painful, it is known as the silent killer due to the severe health issues it can cause if left uncontrolled. The three most at-risk organs are the brain, heart, and kidneys.

Risks to the Brain

Hypertension can lead to cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) or strokes, which can be fatal. It can also cause aneurysms weak outpouchings of the arteries in the brain that can rupture and cause bleeding.

Risks to the Heart

Hypertension forces the heart to work harder to pump blood, which can lead to heart failure. When the left ventricle struggles to pump blood, blood can back up into the lungs, leading to congestive heart failure. This condition makes breathing difficult and can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Risks to the Kidneys

High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney disease and, eventually, end-stage kidney failure.

Medications for Treating High Blood Pressure

There are several types of medications available to manage hypertension:

Diuretics

Diuretics help the kidneys eliminate water, reducing blood volume:

Beta Blockers

Beta-blockers reduce heart rate and force by blocking adrenaline:

ACE Inhibitors

ACE inhibitors dilate blood vessels by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzymes:

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

These drugs dilate blood vessels:

Calcium Channel Blockers

These prevent calcium from entering heart and artery cells, causing relaxation:

Central Agonists

These drugs act on the brain to reduce signals to the heart and blood vessels:

Peripheral Adrenergic Inhibitors

These block brain signals that cause blood vessel constriction:

Get Treatment for Hypertension at QuickMD

Did you know that QuickMD can treat high blood pressure at your convenience and refill your blood pressure medications via phone or video? Don’t wait—get the care you need today.

There is a stigma around sexually transmitted infections (STIs), even though they are much more common than you might think. The CDC estimates that annually, around 1 in 5 people in the United States have an STI. That makes STIs one of the most common issues that people see their doctor for.

Because of the social stigma surrounding STIs, many people have misconceptions about how they are diagnosed and treated. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI in the United States. However, many patients know very little about this common condition when seeing their doctor for it.

Quick Facts About Chlamydia

Let’s first talk about the common symptoms of chlamydia. Men tend to experience pain when urinating and a discharge from their penis. Women tend to also experience pain when urinating and an abnormal discharge from their vagina. However, please note that you can have chlamydia without displaying any of these symptoms. Chlamydia can get passed to you if you have unprotected intercourse with an infected partner. Because abnormal vaginal discharge can have several causes, it is also worth knowing about bacterial vaginosis, a common vaginal infection that can cause similar symptoms but is not sexually transmitted.

If your doctor suspects that you have chlamydia, your doctor can order a urine test or a swab test around the affected genital area to confirm the diagnosis. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that antibiotics can typically cure. Most of the time, your symptoms will clear up within a week. If left untreated, or if treatment is delayed, chlamydia might make it more difficult for women to get pregnant.

Is an STI Test Really Necessary to Get Treated for Chlamydia?

In many cases, the simple answer is no, as lots of cases fall under the following two categories:

Known Exposure

In many cases (even without having symptoms), a patient has been told that they were exposed to a sexual partner who has been diagnosed with chlamydia. This usually means that the exposed sexual partner needs to be treated regardless of the test result.

Typical Chlamydia Symptoms

Because the symptoms of chlamydia are often typical, your doctor will usually be able to diagnose an STI based on empirical evidence alone. This means that a diagnosis can be made based on your symptoms, your sexual history, and possibly an examination of your genital area.

A lab test may be helpful to confirm the diagnosis if there is no clear exposure or the symptoms are atypical. However, in many cases, an STI test is unnecessary and simply delays the onset of treatment.

Because chlamydia can be diagnosed and treated without the need for an in-person visit, it is possible to seek help by consulting with a doctor via telemedicine–without having to go to a clinic or an STI testing site. Remember, chlamydia is a treatable STI, and you should seek treatment as soon as symptoms occur to avoid complications and spreading the disease to others.

How to Get Treated for Chlamydia

If you or your partner experience any STI symptoms or were exposed to chlamydia, QuickMD is here to help. Speak to a doctor now and get a prescription for an antibiotic that treats chlamydia.

If you want to get tested, you can order your STI test here and have the testing done at a LabCorp location near you.

Exposure to HIV does not necessarily mean you are infected. While most exposures do not lead to an infection, being treated within 72 hours of exposure gives you the best chance of stopping HIV from infecting your cells. One study showed that post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was 99% effective in patients sexually exposed to HIV. PEP is also used for patients exposed to HIV due to needle stick injuries (mostly affecting healthcare workers). So, what do you do if you think you’ve been exposed to HIV?

Get Tested for HIV

As soon as possible after an exposure, get tested for HIV. This ensures the virus is not already present from a previous infection. If the test is negative, PEP should be considered.

PEP Treatment Options

Three different medications are used for PEP. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using three or four medications, two combined into one tablet. Tenofovir and emtricitabine make up Truvada or Descovy, a tablet taken once daily along with one of the following:

Truvada with one of the first two combinations is the most common. Most 24-hour pharmacies have at least one of the combinations available, but many smaller pharmacies may not have it in stock.

Monitoring and Follow-Up on HIV Treatment

All PEP combinations are continued for a full 28 days. During this time, patients are carefully monitored for the following signs and symptoms:

At 4 to 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the exposure, you should again be tested for HIV.

Long-Term Management of HIV

In the event of a positive test, treatment for HIV is initiated, and appropriate management can assure many years of good health. If you start treatment early and take medications as prescribed, your life expectancy could be the same as that of non-infected people.QuickMD can treat you after a possible HIV exposure by telemedicine and prescribe PEP online. You can then pick up that medication at your local pharmacy.

Nitrofurantoin, or Macrobid, is an antibiotic known for its effectiveness in treating infections in the kidneys, urinary bladder, or urethra. It works by interfering with the production of bacterial DNA, proteins, and cell walls, making it impossible for bacterial cells to grow and reproduce. 

Some of the bacteria affected by Macrobid include E. coli, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter cystitis, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Dose of Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin is available as tablets, capsules, and liquid. The usual dosage is 50 to 100 mg twice a day.

Common Side Effects

Cost of Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin)

The price of nitrofurantoin ranges from $10.00 to $43.00 for a bottle of 14 capsules, strength 100 mg, with a coupon. To find the least expensive pharmacy near you that sells nitrofurantoin and to download a coupon, click here.

Where Can I Get a Prescription for Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin)?

Nitrofurantoin can be bought only with a prescription from a physician or other licensed prescriber. Did you know? QuickMD can remotely treat your urinary tract infection by telemedicine and prescribe nitrofurantoin online.

Metformin is the first-line medication prescribed for Type 2 Diabetes, which is caused by insensitivity to insulin. Interestingly, there are indications that metformin could also be linked with longevity.

Patients taking metformin tend to be at lower risk for certain age-related diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and certain types of cancer. Diabetic patients, who generally have a shorter lifespan than non-diabetics, often show a relatively higher life expectancy when they are on metformin, given their condition.

Research has also shown that metformin is linked to increased lifespan in some types of rats, mice, and nematodes (roundworms). By lowering blood sugar levels, metformin mimics a condition linked with increased lifespan: restricted-calorie diets. Additionally, metformin is involved in the breakdown of certain amino acids (the building blocks of protein) and the balance of energy production in mitochondria (the powerhouses of cells).

Researchers at Ghent University in Belgium demonstrated that this mechanism is involved in metformin’s influence on longevity in nematodes. Similarly, researchers at the National Institutes of Health in the United States found that metformin lowered cell damage and inflammation related to aging in male mice.

While these findings are promising, it’s important to note that the question of whether we should all take metformin to extend our lifespans remains unanswered. Human research has yet to provide conclusive results, and as a result, metformin is not currently recommended for anti-aging purposes. More research is needed to validate these findings, but the potential of this medication for the future is undeniable.

Get a Metformin Prescription Online

Did you know? QuickMD can help you manage your diabetes and potentially explore the benefits of metformin from the comfort of your home. Our licensed physicians can prescribe metformin online without the need for insurance.

Start your journey to better health today with QuickMD!

Statins are medications used to treat high blood cholesterol levels in patients with LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels over 180 mg/dL or who have other risk factors for heart attacks or strokes. They work by lowering the production of LDL in the liver by blocking an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. 

Statins

The following are examples of statins:

Side Effects of Statins

One of the side effects of statins is myopathy, a condition of weakness and pain in muscles. 

This condition can progress to rhabdomyolysis, in which muscles are broken down, which can cause kidney failure and other complications. If you experience severe muscle pain or notice your urine turning brown, indicating rhabdomyolysis, it’s important to stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention.

For less severe side effects, staying with the medication for at least 2 to 3 weeks is often advised in the hope that the pain will go away. Warm towels or heating pads can help ease the pain until the body adjusts to the medication.

Coenzyme Q10 may be helpful in some patients. This enzyme is found in most living cells and has to do with energy in muscle cells. Statins reduce coenzyme Q10 in muscle cells, leading researchers to propose this mechanism as the cause of muscle pain and weakness. Common side effects are:

This product is marketed as an over-the-counter dietary supplement.

Treat High Cholesterol With QuickMD

Did you know? Our doctors can help you discuss options for treating high cholesterol and possible side effects from statins. It’s important to remember that statins are prescription medications and should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. You can make an appointment with one of our online doctors at your convenience.

With the COVID-19 virus still around, there is a need for accurate information regarding the types of COVID-19 tests available and whether one is required.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers official recommendations regarding issues surrounding COVID-19, such as testing, vaccines, and treatment. The CDC recommends that anyone with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 be tested, regardless of prior infection or vaccination status. However, there is a big difference between the tests.

Types of Covid-19 Tests

Understanding the types of COVID-19 tests is crucial as it empowers you to make informed decisions about your health. There are two main types: viral tests and antibody tests. Let’s examine each of them.

Viral Test

This test is the more common COVID-19 testing method and is usually what is meant when COVID-19 testing is discussed in the media. It looks for whether the virus is currently present in your body. There are two types of viral tests: nucleic acid amplification tests and antigen tests.

Your healthcare provider plays a crucial role in the testing process. They will take samples from your nose or mouth and send them to the lab to see if they contain samples of the virus. A positive result indicates that you are currently infected with the COVID-19 virus.

COVID-19 Antibody Test

This test checks to see if your body has antibodies against the COVID-19 virus, which indicates a past COVID-19 infection. Antibodies are produced by your body’s immune cells when the body has been exposed to an antigen, e.g., a virus. When the body is exposed to the same (or similar) antigen for a second time, the infection can be easily fought off.

The antibody test serves a specific purpose. It is primarily used to determine if you have had a previous infection of COVID-19. It is not designed to detect a current infection. The CDC explains that “an antibody test may not show if you have a current infection because it can take 1–3 weeks after the infection for your body to produce antibodies.”

Getting Tested for COVID-19 Antibodies

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or body aches, it’s important to take action and order a test to protect yourself and others. Similarly, if you’re planning to travel overseas, some countries require a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry, so getting tested is a responsible step.QuickMD gives you the option to book a doctor’s appointment and get a lab test ordered via telemedicine.