Articles tagged with Drug Safety
Researchers in Namibia demonstrated the effectiveness of targeting high-risk individuals with anti-malarial drugs and insecticide spraying to reduce malaria transmission. The trial, conducted in a low-endemic setting, showed a significant reduction in cases by up to 75%.
Researchers at UAB will screen the Scripps Calibr repurposed library of compounds to determine if any licensed drugs have activity against Sars-Cov-2. The goal is to identify potential medicines through collaborations with leading virology labs and testing in cellular and animal models.
Researchers at NIST create a brick made of white flour mixed with fluorescent powder to visualize the spread of drug particles under UV light. They find that frequent glove changes, large-mouth vials, and two sets of wash bottles can minimize particle spread.
Doctors propose using antimalarial drugs like chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid-19 patients with pneumonia or as primary prophylaxis for healthy individuals at highest risk. However, limited global supplies may hinder this approach.
A large-scale study has found no association between varenicline and increased cardiovascular or neuropsychiatric hospitalization risk. The study also suggests bupropion may be linked to lower cardiovascular risks and higher neuropsychiatric risks compared to NRT.
Researchers created 'active droplets' that release drugs at a constant rate over several days, reducing the risk of overdose. The droplets are stable for longer due to hydrolysis protection and can be loaded with varying doses.
Research in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association finds that patients on antidepressants for years may face difficult withdrawal symptoms due to physical dependence. A tapering schedule with physician guidance is recommended to safely discontinue medication and manage mental health.
A new Yale study found rosiglitazone, a type 2 diabetes drug, is associated with a higher risk of heart problems, especially heart failure. The research analyzed over 48,000 patients and found a 33% increased risk of cardiovascular events compared to controls.
A Texas policy reducing anti-psychotic medications for foster children showed a 5-8% decrease in non-FDA indicated prescriptions while preserving medication use for those with approved indications.
Experts argue against switching from Truvada to Tenofovir Alafenamide for PrEP, citing limited data on the newer drug's effectiveness in diverse populations. The current medication, Truvada, has been shown to be safe and effective with ample evidence of its safety and effectiveness.
A risk management program for opioids may not be effective due to design and execution flaws, according to a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study. The program's educational materials were consistent with FDA guidelines, but assessments of its impact were often inadequate.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found no conclusive evidence supporting the safety of ivermectin administration among pregnant women. The studies included in the analysis reported some adverse events, but the number of cases was too low to be conclusive.
A study found that pharmacy-based transition-of-care models can improve patient satisfaction by educating patients about their medications as they transition out of hospital care. The model also led to a significant drop in hospital readmission rates.
A new study investigates online sales of fish antibiotics and finds that consumers are purchasing these medications for human use, raising concerns about unintended consequences. The research highlights the potential risks of self-medication and the need for healthcare professionals to educate patients on safe medication use.
A new study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that Electronic Medication Complete Communication (EMC2) Opioid Strategy improved safe dosing of opioids, but not actual use. The intervention also boosted patient knowledge about medication risks.
A global clinical trial has demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of an oral medication to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a chronic liver disease. The treatment, obeticholic acid, showed the ability to reverse liver scarring in patients most at risk for irreversible liver damage.
Researchers found that MedDevs often lack critical information on product composition, ingredients, and clinical effectiveness, raising concerns for children's safety. The authors call for revised regulations to ensure these products meet medicine standards before being marketed.
Researchers have identified a combination of two drugs that can relax the walls of the ureter, reducing contractions that cause pain when passing a kidney stone. The treatment, which delivers muscle relaxants directly to the ureter, has shown promising results in reducing the frequency and length of contractions.
A recent study found that providing more context about a drug's efficacy can improve physicians' knowledge but reduce enthusiasm for prescribing it. The researchers also discovered that company-sponsored information about off-label uses can increase prescription rates.
Research from the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic reveals biosimilar drugs can lower costs for patients, but their use is still hindered by regulatory barriers. The study found that while physicians are willing to prescribe biosimilars, cost savings are minimal, and market share remains limited.
A Yale-coauthored paper in Lancet analyzed data from 4.9 million patients to compare the safety and effectiveness of five classes of first-line hypertension medications. Thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics were found to be better at preventing heart attack, heart failure, and stroke than ACE inhibitors.
Researchers at UTA's PROMIS lab are developing interventions to reduce unsafe medication use, which affects over 700,000 hospitalizations annually. The project aims to enhance decision-making, increase compliance, and raise adherence in primary care settings.
A new Nightlife Safety Plan intervention demonstrates a reduction in alcohol and drug overuse among young adult nightclub patrons. The program increased protective actions among individuals to keep group members safe and reduced blood alcohol concentration.
A study of nearly 65,000 patients has found that paclitaxel-coated devices are safe and not linked to an increase in deaths. The analysis, which is the largest of its kind, suggests that drug-eluting stents and balloons have no increased risk of death over long-term follow-up.
A secret-shopper-style study by Harvard Medical School found that web-based and digital-app services offering oral contraception appear to be safe and efficient. However, gaps remain, such as inadequate counseling on alternative forms of birth control and lack of screening for rare health conditions.
More than 1 million Canadians have alcohol use disorders, but most never receive professional help. Improved screening and medication are available to address this issue.
Researchers replicated human-like drug responses in TARA's engineered heart-on-a-chip system, predicting cardiac safety and efficacy. The study validated the platform's ability to model different heart diseases and measure contractile force of Cardiotype tissues.
Researchers found ivacaftor significantly reduces P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus spp. infections in CF patients, with a 32% reduction in P. aeruginosa and 15% reduction in Staphylococcus aureus.
Since President Trump took office, FDA warning letters have fallen by a third, with significantly fewer issued during his second year. The decline in enforcement actions raises concerns among agency watchers and experts, who find the trend alarming despite the FDA's claim of ongoing regulatory efforts.
A University of Queensland researcher calls for the PBS to update its restrictions on anti-epileptic drugs to ensure safe and up-to-date clinical practice. The current system fosters outdated prescribing practice and suboptimal care.
A new poll suggests that many grandparents are storing their medications in easy-to-reach places, posing a risk of accidental poisoning or intentional misuse. The poll found that nearly 80% of grandparents keep their medications in the same place as usual when their grandchildren visit, and 72% store them in purses or bags.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that one-third of ophthalmic patients have discrepancies between clinician notes and EHR-generated medication lists. This inconsistency may lead to avoidable medication errors, threatening patient safety.
Researchers tested a medication reservoir implant in 220 patients with wet age-related macular degeneration, finding it safe and effective in reducing the need for injections. The study showed significant improvements in eyesight, with patients able to see farther than before, and a longer time between refills.
A large majority of people who use heroin and fentanyl are willing to use safe consumption spaces where they can obtain sterile syringes and medical support in case of overdose. The study found that 77% of participants reported a willingness to use such spaces, with higher rates among those who rely on public spaces.
Researchers exposed commonly used anaesthetic drugs to Antarctic weather conditions and found that they were within the allowed security margins, making them safe for use. The study provides reassurance for anaesthetists working in challenging environments.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal editorial argues that the Motherisk program should be reinvented to support healthy pregnancies and births. The proposed program would involve collaboration among clinical experts, front-line providers, and health organizations to ensure responsible conduct and independence from industry.
Seven former FDA commissioners and a new paper suggest the FDA should become an independent agency to protect science-based drug safety decisions from political interference. The authors propose safeguards, including six-year terms for commissioners and budgetary independence, to ensure the agency's mission is upheld.
Researchers have successfully lowered levels of mutant huntingtin protein in patients with Huntington disease, making the treatment safe and well-tolerated. The trial enrolled 46 patients and found significant decreases in disease-causing protein levels without serious adverse reactions.
A team at KAUST developed a stretchy sensor that can detect temperature and humidity, enabling the creation of smart pill bottles with tamper alerts and safe storage conditions. The technology has potential applications in improving traditional approaches to healthcare issues, making sensors more accessible to low-income populations.
The University of Houston College of Pharmacy has opened a new center to educate providers and patients on safe controlled substance prescription use, aiming to optimize pharmacotherapy for pain management. The PREMIER Center will also support the safe disposal of unused medications through a $3.34 million grant.
A new international study found that regulators in four countries - including Canada - were only consistent in the decision to warn about potential drug safety risks 10% of the time. This lack of consistency highlights a need for better communication of important drug safety notices.
The federal right-to-try law has been criticized for undermining the FDA's role in monitoring drug safety and efficacy, potentially creating a loophole for pharmaceutical companies to sell unapproved drugs. In contrast, citizen science and gamification are changing the way research is conducted, with nonprofessional volunteers contribu...
A small study found that cilostazol and isosorbide mononitrate treatments were safe for patients with strokes caused by damaged small blood vessels. The drugs may help improve blood vessel function and potentially reduce the risk of stroke and vascular dementia.
The Innovative Medicines Initiative has launched a five-year project to generate exploratory and confirmatory data for novel safety biomarkers. This will improve the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases, as well as reduce safety attrition in drug development.
A study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics found that older patients with Crohn's disease can be safely treated with combined immunosuppression. The research showed that remission rates were similar between older and younger patients, and there was no increase in side effects in older patients.
A NYU study has identified medication management challenges faced by home health care providers, including communication breakdowns and fragmented systems of care. The researchers found that medication errors, such as taking the wrong drug or dose, were common among high-risk patients living alone.
A new study found a link between Celebrex and heart valve calcification, contradicting previous findings that declared the drug safe. The study analyzed patient records at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and found a 20% increased prevalence of valve disease among those who took Celebrex.
A new study found over 1,800 calls to US Poison Control Centers regarding kratom exposures from 2011-2017, with a dramatic increase in annual calls. The majority of exposures were among males and occurred at residences, often due to intentional abuse or misuse.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health explores the experiences of early efforts to establish safe consumption sites in five US communities. The research highlights key lessons learned, including the importance of engaging diverse community partners and securing political champions.
A new medicine under development, vamorolone, shows improved safety in treating both inflammation and heart disease in experimental models of DMD. This is significant because the current standard of care, prednisone, reduces chronic inflammation but has harsh side effects.
A new review by UBC researchers found that up to one-third of pregnant women do not believe cannabis is harmful to their fetus. The study suggests that perceptions about cannabis use influence decision-making among pregnant women. Women who used cannabis during pregnancy were more likely to be under 25, unemployed, or have low income a...
PCSK9 inhibitors significantly reduce Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by more than 50-60% in patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH). The study also found that alirocumab reduces all-cause mortality compared to evolocumab, suggesting potential differences in cardiovascular outcomes.
A recent editorial emphasizes the importance of evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), highlighting the benefits of medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Experts stress that these treatments should be evaluated like any other chronic illness, free from unnecessary regulations and biases.
A study by researchers at Idaho State University found that a quarter of chronic opioid users in Idaho were at risk for overdose from unsafe combinations of prescriptions. Pharmacists are urged to facilitate communication between prescribers and educate patients on the risks of these dangerous drug combinations.
Cytocybernetics is developing the Cybercyte for use with brain cells to study how drugs affect electrical activity in neurological disorders. The company will expand its focus beyond cardiac applications with the new funding.
A new study found that only about a third of mandatory pediatric post-marketing drug studies were completed within seven years, leading to a lack of child-specific information on medication labels. This perpetuates off-label prescribing that may be unsafe or ineffective for children.
Researchers have generated a novel mouse model with a humanized cereblon receptor to study the effects of immunomodulatory drugs. The new mice respond to treatment with these drugs, revealing distinct therapeutic pathways for immunomodulation.
A study on UK dairy farm medicines storage practices found most farmers store medicines appropriately, but with room for improvement. Inappropriate use and disposal of expired medicines are common, highlighting the need for open conversations between veterinarians and farmers.
A new study found that antiepileptic drug clearance significantly changes by the first trimester for one commonly used medication and by the second trimester for two others. The findings have implications for adjusting medication doses during pregnancy to keep women with epilepsy seizure-free and safe.
Scientists at Calibr have built a massive library of existing small-molecule drugs called ReFRAME, which shows promise for treating major diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis. Preliminary testing has identified two additional compounds effective against Cryptosporidium spp., offering a potential therapy for severe diarrhea.