Articles tagged with Drug Safety
A recent study by researchers from UMass Amherst and Newcastle University found serious deficiencies in the evidence base for widely used diabetes drugs in India. The investigation calls for action to ensure these medications are safe and effective.
Scientists from ITMO University have developed a new treatment for internal bleeding using magnetically-driven nanoparticles containing thrombin. The treatment reduces overall blood loss by 15 times and accelerates local clot formation.
A new drug has shown encouraging safety and efficacy in treating Still's disease, a serious orphan condition. The treatment, which blocks the action of an inflammation factor, has been tested on 23 patients with refractory forms of the disease, resulting in positive responses and significant symptom reduction.
Researchers found that adding cetirizine to standard therapy significantly reduced annualized relapse rates in patients with neuromyelitis optica, a rare disease causing inflammation and demyelination. The study suggests that cetirizine may be beneficial in preventing relapses by modulating eosinophil activity.
Researchers at Newcastle University found that only two out of six essential medicines were easily available in private pharmacies, with many more listed in Indian databases but unaffordable. The study calls for a review of available brands and the setting up of a centralized database to address inadequate access to essential medicines.
A recent study found that none of the 89 approved pediatric drug products include dosing information for obese kids. Obesity affects how the body takes up medicine, where it retains it and how quickly it is excreted. More efforts are needed to provide safe dosing guidelines for children with obesity.
A new authentication method using direct ionization mass spectrometry has been developed by PolyU to quickly identify genuine and counterfeit species of Lingzhi and Tianma. The method can differentiate between wild and cultivated types, as well as geographical origins.
Researchers at Cardiff University developed a new method to predict the likelihood of pharmaceutical drugs undergoing racemisation, a process that can lead to harmful versions. The tool could help identify at-risk drug candidates early on in production, reducing financial risk and improving safe medication development.
A new study found that an infliximab biosimilar is safe and effective for treating inflammatory bowel disease, with comparable drug levels to the original medication. However, a high rate of discontinuation was observed due to subjective disease worsening or elective withdrawal after switching to the biosimilar.
A study published in Addiction found that low- and high-volume prescribers both play a significant role in opioid prescriptions, challenging the focus on 'pill mill' doctors. The study also identified other high-risk patient groups, such as concomitant users and chronic high-dose users, who pose a greater public health threat.
Researchers investigated the effects of synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018, finding initial impairments in neurocognitive function and subjective feelings of high. The results suggest that common use scenarios may not be fully represented by the low drug concentrations used in the trial.
Involving patients in their care is critical for improving medication safety, according to Regenstrief Institute researcher Joy L. Lee. A more patient-centered approach to medication safety involves understanding a patient's nuances of how they understand medical instructions and preferences.
Researchers found RNs better equipped to identify medication discrepancies, prioritizing accuracy and safety over time constraints. LPNs often rely on rules, assuming knowledge of residents' complex conditions.
Doctors in the north east of England are facing legal action from pharmaceutical companies for offering patients a safer and effective but cheaper alternative to a licensed drug. The cheaper option, bevacizumab, could save the NHS up to £13.5m a year within the next five years.
Researchers have developed a new medicine, tarloxitinib, that brings high doses of anti-EGFR drugs to tumors while keeping toxic levels in healthy tissues. The prodrug-based approach has shown promising results in tests against lung cancer cells with EGFR exon 20 insertions.
A Swedish registry study found that dementia patients with stroke can receive thrombolysis treatment without increased risk of brain haemorrhage or death. However, those over 80 may experience worse functional outcomes and be more likely to be discharged to nursing homes.
Compounded bioidentical hormone therapies are not FDA-approved, lack quality control, and have the same risks as FDA-approved hormone therapy products. Women often unknowingly choose these over FDA-approved options due to misconceptions about safety and efficacy.
A new analysis highlights the importance of considering pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects in establishing drug doses. The study found that more trials used pharmacology endpoints in 2015 compared to 2007, but some still escalated without documented assessment.
Long-term prescription opioid use increased significantly from 1.8% to 5.4% between 1999-2000 and 2013-2014, associated with poorer physical health and concurrent benzodiazepine use.
Many pregnant women rely on the internet for medication safety information due to limited guidance from healthcare providers. Online searches reveal that health service sites are the most common source of information, with e-pharmacies being less frequently used.
Researchers found that licorice extracts from three species can inhibit certain liver enzymes involved in drug metabolism, potentially causing interactions with medications. The team plans to develop a safe and effective licorice therapy using a specific species, G. glabra, for women experiencing menopausal symptoms.
A new technique uses a fluorescent sensor to detect stress on cells at earlier stages than conventional methods. The method can be adapted to detect protein aggregates caused by other toxins and diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.
Researchers found a 1% increase in undocumented immigration is associated with 22 fewer drug arrests and 42 fewer drunken driving arrests. The frequency of drunken driving fatalities was unaffected by unauthorized immigration rates.
Experts argue that stopping antibiotics sooner is a safe and effective way to reduce antibiotic overuse, contradicting the long-held 'complete the course' message.
Researchers developed a novel, tough, and triggerable hydrogel material that addresses safety concerns of traditional swallowable drug delivery systems. The new material can withstand gastrointestinal forces and release medication in a controlled manner.
Researchers created a system that uses continuous flow technology to produce pharmaceutical compounds, improving safety and yield. The new approach yielded 24 kilograms of chemotherapy agent prexasertib over three days, demonstrating its effectiveness.
A new research design from Perelman School of Medicine scientists provides a more effective way to assess the safety of newly approved drugs and those with rapidly increasing or declining use. This trend-in-trend method can identify rare side effects and provide accurate results, even in the absence of comparable control groups.
A new cost-benefit analysis suggests that a supervised facility in Baltimore could generate $7.8 million in annual savings by reducing overdose deaths, HIV and hepatitis C infections, hospitalizations and bringing people into treatment. The study found that such a space would save thousands of lives and prevent numerous overdoses.
A new nanofluidic device enables rapid testing of protein drugs produced by living cells, offering continuous monitoring and automated quality control. The system can analyze small protein samples in 30-40 minutes, with potential future miniaturization for real-time point-of-care checks.
Researchers found no evidence of increased risk of heart attack, depression, or self-harm in patients with COPD using varenicline. The medication is considered highly effective in helping smokers quit, addressing long-standing concerns among doctors.
Between 2001 and 2010, nearly a third of FDA-approved pharmaceuticals and biologics experienced postmarket safety events. These events, including withdrawals and boxed warnings, affect patient care and decision-making. Postmarket risks are often only apparent in larger patient populations and longer durations.
A Yale University study found that 32% of new drugs were flagged for a safety issue after approval, with biologic therapies and accelerated approvals being more likely to be associated with concerns. The findings highlight the need for ongoing surveillance of new drugs in the post-market period.
A study found that nearly 1 in 3 FDA-approved drugs had postmarket safety events, with biologics and psychiatric disease treatments being most affected. The study highlights the need for ongoing safety monitoring of approved medications.
Research suggests that pharmaceutical promotion can lead to overprescription of brand-name medications. The study found that top-selling and top-prescribed drugs were more likely to be effective, safe, affordable, novel, and represent a genuine advance in treating a disease. However, heavily promoted drugs often fell short in these areas.
A review of psychoactive substance use among healthy individuals highlights potential cognitive enhancements, but also safety concerns and ethical issues. The study suggests that more research is needed to understand the long-term effects and develop harm reduction strategies.
Researchers are developing new CT and MRI scan techniques to identify early signs of drug-induced liver and lung disease, potentially saving time and money. The TRISTAN project will use imaging biomarkers to develop predictive models for safer drug development.
Research links common painkillers diclofenac and ibuprofen to increased risk of cardiac arrest, with diclofenac being the most hazardous. The study advises limiting ibuprofen to 1200mg per day and avoiding diclofenac in patients with cardiovascular disease or high-risk factors.
Three experts from the University of Sydney argue that deregulating the FDA's regulatory system will subject patients to potentially toxic drugs. They highlight examples of successful drugs that were identified through well-controlled studies, and contrast these with unregulated markets that struggle to sift out ineffective treatments.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a molecule that works to restore balance to pathways responsible for chronic and acute heart failure. The new drug, developed through genetic mapping technology, has shown safety and efficacy in phase II clinical trials.
Physicians should be informed about herbal medications used by heart disease patients, as their efficacy and safety are rarely proven. Discussing the pros and cons of herbal medications is crucial for effective patient counseling.
The updated guidelines include two new medications approved by the FDA as safe and effective treatments for heart failure in women. WomenHeart sees these guidelines as an important addition to treatment efforts to achieve positive outcomes for women with the disease.
Researchers developed a cardiac safety index to rank commonly used chemotherapy drugs based on their likelihood of causing lasting heart damage in patients. They found that some drugs known to be particularly dangerous had the lowest safety indices, while better-tolerated ones ranked higher.
Experts recommend that laws legalizing marijuana outline restrictions on age, frequency of use, potency, and advertising to prevent abuse. They also emphasize the need for additional research to guide informed policy decisions.
The University of Liverpool is coordinating a £14m European research project, TransQST, to improve drug safety by leveraging public and private data. The project aims to develop novel computational models to address off-target reactions and minimize harm from adverse drug reactions.
Researchers propose creating a phased regulatory system for autonomous vehicles, mirroring the drug approval process to ensure safety and reliability. This approach would involve pre-clinical trials, in-human studies, and monitored testing before easing restrictions.
A novel sulfur-containing molecule has been identified with potent anticandidal activity, offering a new lead for designing effective drugs against Candida species. This discovery highlights the potential of endophytes as a source of bioactive compounds for developing novel medicines.
Researchers developed a more accurate system for predicting chemical toxicity, increasing accuracy to 85%, which could save millions of dollars and years of development time for new drugs. The system uses statistical analysis and QSAR modeling to assign numerical values to the accuracy of structural alerts.
Research finds generic cancer drugs are generally safe in countries with robust regulatory programs, but safety is uncertain in those with weaker oversight. In the US, economic studies show price savings from generics are limited by high review costs and lack of competition.
A simple instruction sheet significantly increases patient compliance with preoperative medication instructions, reducing errors by 40%. The intervention has been found to improve patient safety and comfort, while also limiting surgical cancellations.
Researchers discovered eight pairs of drugs associated with a higher risk of long QT syndrome, which can cause abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death. The study used big data mining to identify the interactions, and found that ceftriaxone and lansoprazole increased the risk by 1.4 times.
Researchers are working to develop safer drug treatments for newborns through increased clinical trials and improved efficiency. Currently, most medication treatments in newborns are based on adult studies, which can lead to uncertainty about their effectiveness.
A Mayo Clinic study found that NOACs dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban are at least as effective as warfarin in preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation patients. However, apixaban was associated with lower major bleeding rates, while rivaroxaban had a higher risk of serious bleeding.
Research reveals that 56% of people aged 90 and above with Alzheimer's disease rely on antipsychotics and antidepressants, highlighting the need for regular assessment of drug use in older adults. In contrast, those without Alzheimer's disease used these medications less frequently.
A new study reveals that spontaneous reports of adverse drug reactions in newborns and infants are insufficient, highlighting the need for additional reporting strategies. The UK's Yellow Card Scheme, established over 50 years ago, has improved drug safety but may not be enough to capture all instances of adverse reactions.
The European Medicines Agency's approval process for biosimilars shows variability, but offers insights into implementation. Regulators must balance the need for safety with flexibility to support innovation in new therapies, including personalized treatments and products on the borderline between medicines and other sectors.
A combination of formoterol and budesonide found to be safe and effective in treating moderate to severe asthma, with a lower risk of exacerbations than single-therapy budesonide. The therapy showed no significant increase in serious adverse events, providing reassurance for healthcare providers.
The PRAGUE-18 trial found prasugrel and ticagrelor to be equally safe and effective for treating ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients. The study randomized 1,230 STEMI patients to receive either prasugrel or ticagrelor prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).
A significant number of patients on clopidogrel therapy are also prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) omeprazole or esomeprazole, increasing the risk of cardiovascular events. Despite regulatory warnings, many physicians have continued to prescribe this combination.
A new study suggests that generic biologic drugs are as safe and effective as their brand-name counterparts, offering a cheaper alternative for consumers and the healthcare system. The findings have significant implications for the pharmaceutical market, with wide adoption of biosimilars expected to save billions of dollars.
A Perspective article highlights the importance of including medication purpose on prescriptions to enhance safety, prescribe appropriately, and improve convenience. By recording indications, clinicians can reduce errors, enable patients to better understand their regimens, and identify therapeutic alternatives.