Articles tagged with Drug Studies
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that loperamide, a key ingredient in Imodium, is being abused by people seeking to self-treat opioid withdrawal symptoms or euphoria. The medication's safety is compromised when used in high doses, leading to cardiac dysrhythmia and death.
A new study reveals that newborns are likely being over-treated for reflux disease, with clinical symptoms only rarely confirmed by the gold-standard reflux test. The study suggests that doctors should use the MII-pH test to confirm diagnoses before treating infants with medications or surgery.
A recent NIH-funded study found that half of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) maintained 20/40 vision or better after five years of anti-VEGF drug treatment. The study also showed that the two most commonly used drugs, Avastin and Lucentis, were equally effective in preserving visual acuity.
A large-scale study has identified 69 factors linked to gut flora composition, including diet, health, and lifestyle. The research provides valuable insights for future disease studies and clinical trials.
A consensus report from the International Osteoporosis Foundation Fracture Working Group recommends that patients with recent fractures should start osteoporosis medications as soon as possible. The panel agreed that anabolic agents like teriparatide may have a beneficial effect on fracture healing, while bisphosphonates may delay it.
According to a study published in The Journal of Pediatrics, nearly 1 in 4 babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) received acid-suppressing medications from 2006 to 2013. While the number has decreased since then, concerns remain about the medication's potential risks and effectiveness.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher has used an experimental drug to reverse damage from the mutation that causes fragile X syndrome in mice. The treatment, Nutlin-3, blocks a chain reaction that leads to memory deficits and neural stem cell formation issues.
A meta-analysis of nine randomized trials found that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an effective treatment option for preventing major depression relapse. Participants who received MBCT had a 31% lower risk of relapse compared to those who did not receive the therapy.
A new Cochrane Review suggests that yoga may have a beneficial effect on symptoms and quality of life in people with asthma. However, the effects on lung function and medication use are uncertain. Researchers found some moderate quality evidence that yoga exercise reduces the impact of asthma on people's quality of life.
A UBC study found that taking psychedelic drugs like LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA reduced the rate of domestic battery among released inmates. The observational study followed 302 inmates for six years, suggesting a potential public health benefit.
A clinical trial shows that high-dose methotrexate improves survival rates for children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The use of steroid decadron is beneficial for younger patients, but not older ones, who are at a higher risk of osteonecrosis.
An intervention at a Canadian acute care facility screened and isolated asymptomatic C. difficile carriers, leading to a 50% decrease in health-care associated infections. The study estimated that the intervention prevented approximately 63 cases, suggesting a cost-effective strategy for preventing C. difficile infection.
A national PrEP program for injection drug users is cost-prohibitive due to high drug prices, but investing in naloxone therapy, medical insurance, and detoxification programs could prevent HIV infections more effectively. The study suggests that alternative approaches may be a better use of HIV prevention resources.
The Alzheimer's Association has awarded $4.3 million to accelerate the testing of new potential therapies and diagnostic approaches for Alzheimer's disease. The funding will support innovative trial designs, including tau PET imaging and home-based cognitive testing, to improve early detection and treatment options.
A large study published in The Lancet found that varenicline is more effective than bupropion or nicotine patch for quitting smoking. Compared to placebo, the medications showed no significant increase in moderate or severe neuropsychiatric events.
A large trial of over 8000 participants found no significant increase in neuropsychiatric side effects with varenicline or bupropion. Varenicline was shown to be more effective in helping people stop smoking than other treatments, with similar efficacy across smokers with and without psychiatric disorders.
Sir Richard Peto, Bob Langer, and Alimuddin Zumla receive Honorary Doctor of Medicine degrees for groundbreaking work in epidemiology, biotechnology, and infectious diseases. Their achievements have transformed the pharmaceutical industry and improved human health worldwide.
Researchers analyzed data from 19 studies on hospitalized patients and found that antipsychotic medications did not reduce new cases of delirium. The study suggests that these medications may not affect the duration or severity of delirium, and more research is needed to understand their effectiveness in treating delirium.
The adAPT trial is a clinical study evaluating the effectiveness of metformin in preventing type 1 diabetes. Researchers aim to identify children at high risk and examine the impact of administering metformin on beta cell stress.
A phase III trial found that patients taking nivolumab were more than twice as likely to be alive after one year compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Median survival for nivolumab was 7.5 months, significantly longer than 5.1 months for chemotherapy.
A clinical trial of the experimental Ebola drug TKM-130803 has shown that it does not improve survival in adults with severe Ebola infection. Despite this, the study suggests that the drug may have a benefit for patients with less severe disease.
Researchers found that islet transplantation prevents severe hypoglycemic events in people who experienced episodes despite expert care. After one year, 88% of participants were free of severe hypoglycemic events and had restored hypoglycemic awareness.
A new analysis of 204 studies involving over 1.4 million people suggests that metformin reduces the relative risk of dying from heart disease by 30-40% compared to sulfonylureas. The study also evaluated other drug effects, including glucose control and side effects.
The I-SPY 2 trial shows that a combination of T-DM1 and pertuzumab before surgery can eradicate residual disease in more patients compared to paclitaxel plus trastuzumab. This new approach may improve outcomes for women with HER2-positive invasive breast cancer.
Researchers identified mechanisms that allow TRK-fusion lung cancer cells to evade targeted therapies. Specific genetic changes, including amino acid positions in TRK fusion genes, confer resistance to LOXO-101. This study's findings may have implications for other kinase-driven cancers treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center reported encouraging correlations between immunologic biomarkers and responses to treatment with nivolumab in the first-ever phase II clinical trial for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. Five patients treated with nivolumab experienced significant tumor size reductions.
PharmaMar showcases new compounds with unique mechanisms of action against solid and hematological tumors. Lurbinectedin attacks the microenvironment, Plitidepsin targets eEF1A2 protein, and PM184 disrupts blood vessels, cutting off nutrient and oxygen supply to tumor cells.
A late-breaking abstract at the European Lung Cancer Conference presented findings on osimertinib's effectiveness as first-line treatment for EGFR mutated non-small-cell lung cancer. The study showed a high overall response rate and prolonged progression-free survival, suggesting that osimertinib may alter the biology of the disease.
Scientists have found that palovarotene, a previously tested emphysema drug, prevents multiple skeletal problems caused by fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) and maintains normal limb motion in lab animals. The drug has potent effects, preventing heterotopic ossification and preserving bone growth.
A new study using fMRI images has found that LSD causes regions of the brain involved in higher cognition to become heavily over-connected, leading to a sense of ego dissolution. This phenomenon is also seen in certain psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center are conducting a five-year randomized trial to test the MIND diet's effects on cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease incidence. The study will enroll 600 individuals aged 65+ and evaluate the diet's impact on brain structure, cognition, and health outcomes.
A study found that physicians incorrectly believe FDA approval requires comparable effectiveness and strong evidence, leading to inadequate communication with patients. The 'breakthrough therapy' designation has been misinterpreted by many medical professionals.
A new study led by Grant Lipman found that applying paper tape to blister-prone areas before exercise prevented both incidence and frequency of foot blisters. The tape, commonly used for wound treatment, is mildly adhesive and doesn't tear blisters if they occur.
The AMP study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of VRC01 in reducing HIV-1 acquisition among at-risk populations. The randomized, double-blind trial will enroll 2700 participants and follow them for up to 72 weeks.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is conducting two multinational clinical trials to test an investigational anti-HIV antibody called VRC01. The studies aim to determine the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of the antibody in preventing HIV infection.
A Phase 1/2 clinical trial is being conducted to evaluate the combination of MedImmune's durvalumab and VentiRx's motolimod in locally advanced or recurrent ovarian cancers. The study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of the combination, with a focus on enhancing anti-tumor immune responses.
A study published in the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy found that patients receiving pulmonary medications showed a significant decrease in emergency room visits and hospitalizations after using the Spokane Prescription Assistance Network. However, those receiving psychotropic medications for mental health conditions saw an increase...
The SALOME study found that injectable hydromorphone is as effective as diacetylmorphine for long-term street opioid users not currently benefiting from available treatments. Participants reported significant reductions in opioid use and illicit activities, with over 80% retained in treatment at six months.
A new Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions showed potential in assessing studies with higher risk of bias. Exclusion of high-risk studies altered estimates of clinically pertinent outcomes in two systematic reviews, highlighting the need for further testing of the new instrument.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that afatinib significantly extended time to disease progression in patients with advanced urothelial cancer and at least one of two specific genetic abnormalities. The treatment also showed promise for patients without these mutations, although the response rate was lower.
A recent study found that an investigational drug called CMX-2043 showed no improved protection for the kidneys of patients undergoing angiograms. The trial, which recruited over 300 patients, tested four different doses of the drug to prevent contrast-induced kidney injury.
The study found that amiodarone and lidocaine significantly improved survival rates among patients whose cardiac arrest was witnessed by a bystander, with a 5% greater chance of survival compared to placebo. However, the drugs showed no significant benefit for patients whose arrest was not witnessed.
The ATMOSPHERE trial found aliskiren alone or in combination with enalapril had no significant benefit on mortality and hospitalization rates in patients with heart failure. However, adding aliskiren increased the risk of symptoms like low blood pressure and elevated potassium levels.
Glycemic control and weight loss achieved through bariatric surgery persist for up to five years, with significant advantages over a medical therapy-only approach. The study found that gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy patients maintained healthy blood glucose levels without insulin use, while also experiencing greater weight loss.
The largest losmapimod study failed to show improvements in cardiovascular death and events, but suggests potential benefits for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The drug's developer plans further studies to validate these findings.
A phase 3 clinical trial showed evacetrapib reduced LDL cholesterol by 37% and HDL cholesterol by 130%, but failed to lower rates of major cardiovascular events. Researchers attribute the lack of benefits to the drug's inability to translate improved cholesterol levels into clinical outcomes.
The DANAMI-3-DEFER trial found that delayed stent implantation in STEMI patients did not reduce death from any cause, hospitalization for heart failure, or subsequent heart attacks. The study's findings contradict previous promising preliminary studies and may be due to the trial's limited sample size and patient selection.
A new study reveals that only 1.02% of eligible patients receive weight loss medications, highlighting a significant gap between guidelines and treatment practices.
A large clinical trial of evacetrapib, a CETP inhibitor, showed no reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events, despite significant increases in HDL and decreases in LDL cholesterol levels. The study's findings challenge conventional thinking on the benefits of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
A new study by the Endocrine Society finds that children and teenagers taking ADHD stimulant medications may have lower bone density, a condition that can increase fracture risk or osteoporosis later in adulthood. The study suggests that these patients may need monitoring of their bone health during treatment.
A recent clinical trial provides objective evidence of muscle-related side effects associated with statins. Evolocumab was found to be superior to ezetimibe in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The study's findings have significant implications for treating patients with statin intolerance.
Researchers found that a new low-dose vaginal estrogen capsule significantly improved symptoms of menopausal vulvar and vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. The treatment, TX-004HR, showed improvement in vaginal cell regeneration, pH levels, and painful sexual activity.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that taking statins and antihypertensives can reduce cardiovascular disease events by 25-30% in patients at intermediate risk. The research also suggests that combining these medications can be an effective way to prevent heart attacks and strokes globally.
A global trial showed statins alone reduced adverse cardiovascular events in people with average cholesterol and blood pressure, while blood pressure-lowering medications were only beneficial in those with hypertension. The study suggests statins can be used more widely to prevent heart disease.
PharmaMar's Aplidin (plitidepsin) demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in multiple myeloma progression or death, meeting primary endpoint. The study enrolled 255 patients across 19 countries and showed promising results.
A randomized controlled clinical trial found that extended-release naltrexone significantly prevented relapses in men with previous criminal justice system involvement. The study showed a significant reduction in heroin and opioid use, as well as no overdoses during the six-month treatment period.
A multicenter clinical trial found that long-acting naltrexone injections significantly reduced opioid relapse and overdose risk compared to counseling alone. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of extended-release naltrexone as a treatment option for individuals with opioid addiction.
A phase-3 trial led by Stanford University shows baricitinib substantially reduces symptoms and improves daily functioning in refractory rheumatoid arthritis patients. The study, involving over 500 adults, found that baricitinib improved physical function and reduced markers of inflammation, with effects remaining at 24 weeks.
A Penn-led study found that extended-release naltrexone was more effective than usual treatment in preventing drug relapse among ex-prisoners addicted to heroin and other opioids. The medication showed significantly reduced rates of relapse and longer median time to relapse compared to the control group.
Researchers are investigating psychedelic compounds as potential treatments for mental health issues such as posttraumatic stress disorder, addiction, and depression. Early studies have shown promising results, including significant relief from patients who experienced long-term symptoms of PTSD.