Articles tagged with Drug Studies
A new study tests the safety and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suggesting it may enhance benefits of psychotherapy. However, further research is needed to confirm its efficacy and long-term effects.
A study published in Kidney Cancer found that non-aspirin NSAID use was associated with shorter overall survival time for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The use of these medications can cause kidney-specific toxicity, leading to increased blood pressure and decreased renal function.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that women with epilepsy have the same fertility rates as those without, contradicting previous myths. The study of 89 women with epilepsy and 108 without found similar rates of pregnancy, miscarriages, and live births.
A study by the American College of Cardiology found that women are underrepresented in cardiovascular trials, with proportions ranging from 22-81% compared to disease populations. Researchers emphasize the need for better representation to determine potential gender differences in treatment responses.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute will study genetic factors behind oxycodone and cocaine addiction using a unique, genetically diverse rat model. The five-year grants will allow for the creation of shared tissue banks for researchers worldwide to use in addiction studies.
A meta-analysis of over 135,000 people with major depression and 344,000 controls identified 44 genomic variants significantly associated with the condition. The study also found that major depression shares genetic links with schizophrenia, obesity, and sleep quality.
The PERSPECTIVE trial presents a comprehensive review of the safety, efficacy, and durability of Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents in treating chronic total occlusion. Treatment with second-generation drug-eluting stents resulted in lower occurrence of adverse events compared to previous DES trials.
Researchers found that three antiretroviral drug regimens taken by pregnant women with HIV pose similar risks for adverse birth outcomes, including premature delivery and death. TDF-FTC-ATV/r appears to have a lower risk of preterm birth and low birth weight compared to other regimens.
Eight out of ten transformative medicines in the US between 1985 and 2009 originated from fundamental discoveries, with an average time to approval of 30 years. Curiosity-driven science is essential for discovering new medicines.
A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that drug-filled 3D printed dentures can reduce fungal growth in the mouth. The innovative technology uses microscopic capsules to release Amphotericin B, an antifungal medication, which can help prevent infection while dentures are in use.
A new study finds that a hospital-based addiction medicine team significantly reduces burnout and frustration among healthcare providers, while improving patient engagement and care. The team's approach fundamentally reframes substance use disorder as a treatable chronic disease.
A new study found that long-term use of anticholinergic antidepressants and medications for bladder conditions increases the risk of dementia. The research analyzed over 40,000 patients and compared them to 283,933 people without dementia.
A randomized clinical trial found that combining aspirin with ticagrelor improved patency of grafted saphenous veins in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. This reduces the risk of vein graft failure and associated worse long-term outcomes.
The study found that five to nine orphan medicines were available in ten European countries, while all ten medicines were only accessible in three countries: the Netherlands, Malta, and Poland. The availability of these medicines varied significantly across different countries.
A common genetics study method called Mendelian randomization has been found to be distorted by a phenomenon called horizontal pleiotropy in nearly 50% of its studies. This distortion can lead to false positive causal relationships and affects the accuracy of drug discovery and disease management.
A meta-analysis of four studies involving 19,464 African American participants found no association between sickle cell trait and ischemic stroke. The study aimed to understand sources of racial disparities in stroke risk among African Americans.
A landmark study found that IBS patients who learned to control severe GI symptoms at home saw significant improvement, comparable to those treated with multiple clinic visits. The home-based behavioral treatment approach provided sustained relief for up to six months, overcoming a common barrier in rural healthcare.
A new study found that patients with cellulitis treated for six days experienced faster and more frequent relapses at 90 days compared to those treated for 12 days. The study suggested that elderly hospitalized patients with comorbidity may benefit from shorter therapy duration.
Researchers found that children with asthma often miss their daily medication due to barriers such as forgetfulness and running out of medication. The study suggests that improving communication among patients, families, and pediatric clinicians is crucial to ensure consistent use of daily anti-inflammatory medication.
Researchers at the Abramson Cancer Center have discovered promising immunotherapy combinations for treating glioblastoma, head and neck cancer, and pancreatic cancer. CAR T cell therapy combined with checkpoint inhibitors has shown enhanced effectiveness in glioblastoma, while targeting a novel immune checkpoint in head and neck cancer...
A substudy of the PRECISION trial found that adding aspirin to celecoxib reduced its cardiovascular safety advantage, while maintaining fewer GI problems and kidney issues compared to ibuprofen. Celecoxib remained associated with better overall outcomes in patients taking aspirin.
Two genetically modified broadly neutralizing antibodies protected rhesus macaques from an HIV-like virus, SHIV, with long-term protection of up to 37 weeks. The study demonstrated that genetic mutations increased durability and led to extended protection.
Sebelipase alfa and two investigational RNAi therapeutics, givosiran and ARO-AAT, demonstrate positive findings in treating lysosomal acid lipase deficiency and acute intermittent porphyria. Long-term tolerability and improvements in liver injury markers are observed.
A study found that budesonide add-on therapy improves biochemical markers of disease activity but fails to improve liver histology in high-risk patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Budesonide was shown to produce clinically meaningful improvements in serum alkaline phosphatase levels.
A well-controlled trial found that omega-3 fatty acid supplements taken orally proved no better than placebo at relieving symptoms or signs of dry eye. Despite insufficient evidence establishing the effectiveness of omega-3s, clinicians and patients have been inclined to try the supplements for various conditions, including dry eye.
A recent study by Tel Aviv University and Harvard University researchers highlights the challenges of nanoparticle-based cancer-targeting strategies. They suggest ways to refocus collaborative work, emphasizing personalized nanocarriers based on cancer type and biomarker profile.
The new treatment combination including ravidasvir and sofosbuvir has shown extremely high cure rates, even among hard-to-treat patients, with a 97% success rate reported in the Phase II/III trial. The treatment is priced affordably at $300 for a 12-week course, offering an alternative to existing treatments.
A study found that only 16% of respondents were aware of drug shortages, and those with a personal history of cancer were more likely to be aware. Most respondents wanted to be informed about substitution due to shortages and would transfer care to avoid major differences in efficacy.
A promising class of drugs, known as CD40 monoclonal antibodies, could be the spark needed to light the fire in the immune system of patients who don't respond to cancer immunotherapies. These drugs activate antigen-presenting cells to prime tumor-specific T cell responses.
A mouse study found that metformin blocks symptoms of nicotine withdrawal in rodents, eliminating anxiety and negative effects. The diabetes drug appears to activate AMPK, a pathway stimulated by chronic nicotine use, reducing withdrawal symptoms.
A recent study found that less than one-fifth of investigator brochures referenced peer-reviewed animal studies, highlighting the need for rigorous preclinical research. The study also revealed a concerning lack of negative efficacy studies, suggesting publication bias.
A recent review and analysis of published studies found no consistent association between NSAIDs or acetaminophen use and exacerbation of Crohn's disease. However, a low-bias study showed a link between NSAID use and worsening of Crohn's disease symptoms.
A recent review article emphasizes the need for further clinical studies on neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) to develop evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and treatment guidelines. Non-pharmacologic interventions like breastfeeding and rooming-in have shown positive short-term results, but larger, multi-site trials are necessary.
Treating women subsistence farmers with a cheap deworming medication improved their physical stamina for agriculture work and potentially increased food production. The study found that even low levels of hookworms caused significant benefits in fitness and exercise capacity.
A study of over 792,000 children found that acid-suppressing medications and antibiotics used in the first six months of life were associated with an increased risk of developing allergic diseases. The study suggests that these medications may contribute to intestinal dysbiosis, leading to allergies.
Two studies found no reductions in hospital use or spending linked to the global budget program, despite expected improvements in care. The program may still have saved money due to changes in hospital prices.
A new University of Colorado Boulder study found that consuming nicotinamide riboside (NR) daily improves blood pressure and arterial health, particularly in those with mild hypertension. The supplement mimics caloric restriction's key chemical pathways responsible for its health benefits.
A new cancer drug has proven safe and effective in treating pediatric patients with tumor-specific gene mutations, particularly those with TRK fusions. The study found encouraging anti-tumor activity in all patients with solid TRK fusion-positive tumors, achieving sustained tumor regressions in over 90% of cases.
A Swedish study found that weight-loss surgery is associated with changes in relationship status among obese patients. The observational study analyzed data from over 29,000 patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery and compared them to obese individuals without the procedure.
A randomised trial found that high doses of ivermectin can kill mosquitoes feeding on humans for at least 28 days. Adding ivermectin to community-wide antimalarial treatment campaigns could boost impact by up to 61 percent, reducing malaria prevalence in areas with low transmission rates.
A clinical trial, TAKE-IT, combines electronic medication monitoring and coaching to encourage adherence behavior in adolescent kidney transplant recipients. The study shows a 66% higher adherence rate among participants who used the digital health medication management solution with coaching.
A new UCLA study found that a peer navigation treatment program can help former HIV-positive inmates stay on their medications and keep the virus controlled. The program showed significant improvement in viral suppression rates compared to the traditional approach used today.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have found that an anti-inflammatory drug, Kineret, significantly reduces levels of inflammation in patients with ischemic strokes. The study, funded by the Stroke Association, shows promise for fast and effective treatment of stroke, but further trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness.
A pilot study found that an educational brochure and support from healthcare personnel helped 64% of hospitalized older adults stop taking sedatives. Participants reported no significant change in sleep problems after stopping sedatives, highlighting the potential benefits of reducing polypharmacy.
A new drug, siponimod, has been shown to slow the progression of disability in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis for the first time. The trial involved 1645 patients and found that those given siponimod had a 21% lower risk of disability worsening compared to placebo.
A University of Guelph study found that intense exercise before taking a daily dose of olanzapine can reduce the risk of weight gain and Type 2 diabetes. The researchers discovered that moderate exercise did not have the same effect, highlighting the importance of intense physical activity in mitigating medication side effects.
A study found that targeted cancer drugs can cause cognitive and behavioral deficits in young mice, but these effects can be reversed with environmental stimulation and physical exercise. Researchers suggest that pediatric brain cancer patients may experience similar side effects, highlighting the need for remediation efforts.
A study found that sleep restriction leads to insulin resistance in men, which can be mitigated by controlling testosterone and cortisol hormones. This imbalance may explain the increased risk of type 2 diabetes in sleep-deprived men.
The ACTA trial found that a 1-week induction treatment of amphotericin B and flucytosine significantly reduced mortality in HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis. This new therapeutic regimen could save over 80,000 lives per year.
A new class of experimental drugs has been found to reduce hot flushes in menopausal women by almost three-quarters within three days. The treatment also improves sleep and concentration significantly. The compound works by blocking the action of a brain chemical called neurokinin B, which triggers hot flushes.
A new study from the University of Illinois Chicago found no link between Tamiflu and increased suicide risk in pediatric patients. However, the researchers acknowledge that doctors will still prescribe the medication with caution due to other potential side effects and limitations in the study.
A randomized controlled trial found that patients with myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery experienced a 28% lower risk of major vascular complications when treated with dabigatran. The study showed significant benefits in reducing the risk of death, heart attack, and stroke.
In a groundbreaking study, African-American men with high blood pressure showed significant improvements when aided by pharmacists and local barbers. Nearly two-thirds of participants achieved healthy blood pressure levels after six months, with systolic blood pressure dropping from 153 mmHg to 126 mmHg.
A new study from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute found that alpha blockers and alpha 2 agonist medications increase blood pressure variability, associated with a higher risk of death. Researchers recommend using alternative medications that show a decrease in mortality risk.
A new combination pill of three low-dose medications has been shown to significantly increase the number of patients reaching blood pressure targets compared to usual care. The 'Triple Pill' resulted in a 70% control rate at six months, with benefits seen straight away and maintained until six months.
The CARES trial found that long-term febuxostat use in patients with heart disease significantly increases the risk of death, despite not raising cardiovascular outcomes. Researchers were unable to identify a biological mechanism explaining this finding.
A recent study found that six-month dual antiplatelet therapy increases the risk of heart attacks in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The SMART-DATE trial showed that short-term treatment is not safe for ACS patients who have received drug-eluting stents, highlighting the need for prolonged DAPT in these cases.
The experimental drug andexanet has been shown to control serious bleeding in patients taking Factor Xa inhibitors. The study found that andexanet rapidly reversed the anticoagulant effect of these drugs without significant safety problems, achieving clinical hemostasis in 83% of patients.
A study found that patients with a high-risk PFO who received a medical device to close the hole in their heart after a stroke fared better than those who received medications alone. The trial suggested that closure can help prevent subsequent strokes and related problems, particularly in those with a high-risk PFO.
A study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session found that African-American men who received frequent monitoring and medication management from a specially-trained pharmacist in their barbershop saw a marked drop in blood pressure, with systolic blood pressure dropping by an average of 21 mm Hg. The ...