April 2023 Archive — practical reads on medications and treatments

Three posts from April 2023 focus on real problems people face: how biomarkers shape kidney cancer care, what to do if Atenolol gives you diarrhea, and where apixaban may head next in anticoagulant therapy. Each piece is short, practical, and meant to help you ask better questions at your next doctor visit.

What we covered this month

Biomarkers in advanced renal cell carcinoma. This post explains how biomarkers guide treatment choices for advanced kidney cancer. You’ll learn which markers doctors look for to match patients with targeted drugs or immunotherapy, and how markers can help check whether a therapy is working. The article also points out ongoing research aiming to find new markers so treatment fits the patient better. If you or a loved one are navigating options, the post helps you get specific with your oncology team about testing and follow-up.

Atenolol and diarrhea — what to watch for. Atenolol is a widely used beta‑blocker, and for some people it causes GI side effects like diarrhea. The post gives clear steps: track how long symptoms last, note other meds or foods that might be involved, and contact your prescriber if diarrhea is persistent or severe. It stresses not to stop Atenolol abruptly — sudden withdrawal can be risky — and explains typical next steps your doctor might take, such as changing dose or switching drugs.

The future of anticoagulant therapy: apixaban. This piece looks at where apixaban is headed beyond its current uses. It highlights evidence that apixaban can be safer and easier to manage than older blood thinners for many patients, and it summarizes ongoing studies testing new patient groups and settings. The post frames practical questions to ask your clinician: Is apixaban right for my condition? Are there trials or data for my specific situation? That helps you and your doctor weigh benefits and bleeding risk.

How to use these posts

Read any article that matches your situation, then bring two things to your next appointment: specific symptoms or results, and two questions for your clinician. For example: "Should I test for X biomarker?" or "If Atenolol causes diarrhea, what’s the safest switch?" If a post mentions ongoing trials or new evidence relevant to you, ask about referrals or specialist input. Small, focused questions get better answers than vague concerns.

If you want quick links to any of these posts or a short summary sent to your inbox, check the April 2023 list on the site and use the contact form. We aim to keep content practical so you can act, ask, and feel confident about medication choices.