Articles tagged with Medications
A new study presents dual immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) using RSVpreF and nirsevimab, showing reduced hospitalizations among infants in France. The study found that this combined approach demonstrates potential for enhanced RSV prevention and protection
AD109, a new oral pill, successfully controlled obstructive sleep apnea by addressing its underlying mechanisms and preventing airway collapse. The drug showed significant improvements in breathing interruptions, oxygen levels, and disease severity category.
A comprehensive review of existing research shows no evidence that men's use of valproate increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. The analysis combines data from large population-based studies in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Taiwan.
A new international study found that genetic variations in the PAM gene can reduce the effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor medications, such as Ozempic. Researchers discovered that 44% of people with these genetic variants experienced reduced glucose lowering properties, and only 11% achieved recommended glucose levels.
The summit brought together endocrine leaders to identify opportunities to work closely together on increasing the visibility of endocrine health in policy decisions. Early findings from a workforce survey revealed challenges including long patient waiting times and retention concerns among early-career clinicians.
A randomized clinical trial found that genotype-guided prescribing of SSRIs did not improve depression symptoms at 3 months but showed higher remission rates at 6 months. Future studies should focus on the long-term impact of this approach.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found single and repeated intravenous ketamine infusions to be efficacious in reducing suicidal and depressive symptoms in acute major depressive episodes. Longer-term outcomes remain unclear.
The ASPIRE trial aims to enroll 1,200 participants with advanced prostate cancer and assess the impact of chemotherapy on overall survival and disease progression. Genetic profiling is included to identify patients who benefit most from intensified treatment.
A new review found that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs significantly reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and premature death. The treatment also lowered rates of non-fatal heart attacks, hospital admissions for heart failure, and deaths from any cause.
A large South Korean study found no increased risk of psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders in children whose mothers used sedative drugs during pregnancy. The study, published by the BMJ Group, tracked nearly 3.8 million children and analyzed data from the National Health Information Database.
A cross-sectional study found that older adults are disproportionately prescribed medications affecting cognition from acute or postacute care settings. This highlights the need to target prescriptions from these settings to reduce such prescribing.
Chronic liver disease in the US costs $41.57 billion, with prescription medication expenditures accounting for nearly half of all-cause healthcare expenditures. Poor adherence to antiviral medications is a key factor in preventing disease progression and treatment, with high out-of-pocket costs increasing non-adherence risk.
The 2026 Semmelweis-Richter Journalism Award is now open for entries, with a focus on high-quality health journalism and its impact across Europe. Journalists can submit articles in two categories until June 9, 2026, with a total prize fund of €45,000.
Researchers from UH, Baylor College of Medicine and MD Anderson Cancer Center propose a new treatment approach for Crohn's disease by targeting the stress signal that fuels inflammation. They found that repurposing two existing cancer medications can promote natural repair and regeneration of the intestinal lining.
A new study shows that while dental opioid prescription fills in the US have dropped by 27% since 2021, the rate remains higher than in other developed countries and the US territory of Puerto Rico. The study suggests that some US dentists are still overprescribing opioids.
A cross-sectional study found a substantial increase in medication use for opioid use disorder among Medicaid beneficiaries, potentially contributing to reductions in overdose deaths. The study suggests that expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder may be an effective strategy to address the opioid crisis.
A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland found that people with Parkinson's disease are using psychotropics more frequently than controls, even before diagnosis. The use of psychotropic medications increases as the disease progresses, reflecting emerging non-motor symptoms and worsening disease progression.
A new analysis found that prescriptions for curable hepatitis C drugs have declined sharply in recent years, leaving millions without treatment. The researchers urge swift actions to deliver the drugs to those who need them, including increased screening and system-level changes.
A new study reveals that freshwater fish are accumulating antidepressants, opioids, and other drugs of abuse in their bodies, which can alter their behavior, development, and reproduction. The research uses a novel analytical method to detect these substances in small fish living in rivers receiving urban wastewater.
A new study by University College London found that gabapentinoids, prescribed for chronic pain, double the risk of hospitalization for drug poisoning when combined with benzodiazepines or opioids. The risk persists even after starting gabapentinoid treatment, suggesting they may not be an effective solution to reduce poisoning risks.
A new Cochrane review of 17 clinical trials found that anti-amyloid Alzheimer's drugs have no significant impact on cognitive decline or dementia severity, but may increase the risk of brain swelling and bleeding. The evidence suggests that these drugs are unlikely to provide clear benefit to patients.
A new USC study found that in-store pharmacies filled less than 2% of mifepristone prescriptions since the FDA eased dispensing requirements, with mail-order pharmacies accounting for most fills. The study suggests significant access gaps in states with stronger legal protections for abortion.
A new analysis from UC San Francisco argues that diagnostics are being overlooked, slowing progress against major diseases despite advances in targeted therapies. The study suggests that nearly half of the world's population lacks adequate access to diagnostics due to inadequate investment and insurance reimbursement.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have discovered a safer and more effective way to treat Alzheimer's disease by combining anti-amyloid antibodies with molecules found in grapes, berries, peanuts, and turmeric. This combination approach neutralizes amyloid protein clumping in the brain, leading to better outcomes.
Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a suite of AI-powered tools, called YuelDesign, YuelPocket and YuelBond, to transform how new drugs are created. These tools can design drug molecules tailored to fit their protein targets exactly, even accounting for protein flexibility.
A recent study found a decline in long-term opioid prescribing in the US between 2015 and 2023, with a 24.3% decrease in patients receiving extended therapy. However, approximately 4.2 million US patients still received opioids for 90 days or longer in 2023, indicating the need for improved treatment models for chronic pain management.
Long-term opioid therapy prescription rates declined in the US from 2015 to 2023, despite a growing population of older adults receiving these treatments. Approximately 4-5 million patients were prescribed long-term opioids in 2023, with Medicare covering a larger proportion, raising concerns about safety.
A randomized trial found that duloxetine does not prevent painful neuropathy caused by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer. The study suggests that duloxetine should only be used for managing existing neuropathy, not prevention.
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is enrolling adolescent and young adult cancer patients in various trials, including genetic services and treatment studies. These trials aim to address longstanding gaps in care and improve outcomes for AYAs with cancer.
A $35 monthly insulin out-of-pocket cap is associated with significantly lower insulin costs, increased access to insulin, and decreased blood glucose levels among Medicare beneficiaries. This finding suggests that federal cost-sharing policies could improve access to essential medications in diabetes.
In this randomized clinical trial, mirtazapine effectively reduced methamphetamine use in adults with methamphetamine use disorder. The study's findings have important implications for the treatment of this condition, which currently lacks approved pharmacotherapies.
City St George's, University of London, is partnering with Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals to test a potential treatment for osteoarthritis. The partnership aims to investigate the mechanism of action of pentosan polysulfate sodium (iPPS) on bone marrow lesions, which are linked to pain in osteoarthritis.
Researchers identified NOX-1 as a key molecular target to prolong ketamine's therapeutic benefits. Combining ketamine with NOX-1 inhibitors significantly extended its antidepressant-like effects. K-4, a novel AMPAR modulator, also showed rapid antidepressant effects that persisted for at least 2 weeks.
Extended low-dose apixaban effectively reduced symptomatic superficial vein thrombosis (SuVT) risk. Patients with enduring risk factors for SuVT benefited from this anticoagulation strategy.
In high-risk patients without known significant atherosclerosis and with diabetes, evolocumab significantly reduced the risk of a first major cardiovascular event. The study found that evolocumab was effective in preventing cardiovascular events in these patient populations.
The EMPEROR-Preserved risk model demonstrated good performance in the FINEARTS-HF trial, showing that baseline risk does not modify the relative treatment effect of finerenone. Finerenone has been shown to have a significant benefit for heart failure patients.
The ATS 2026 International Conference will feature the ATS AI Lab Exposition Space, highlighting advancements in AI in healthcare. Keynote speakers Robert M. Wachter and Laurah Turner will discuss AI's impact on medical education and its future.
The 2026 Semmelweis–Richter Journalism Award invites journalists to submit work highlighting critical health issues, particularly cardiovascular therapies. The prize fund is €45,000, with winners announced in July 2026.
A study found that Medicare beneficiaries with heart disease reported less cost-related medication non-adherence after new provisions limited out-of-pocket drug costs. This decrease was particularly notable among low-income seniors, who saw a significant reduction in skipped or delayed doses.
A study found that cancer patients during the last phase of life experienced more bleeding events than thromboembolic events. Most patients continued their antithrombotic therapy despite increased bleeding risk, with over 28% experiencing at least one bleeding episode.
Researchers developed a novel composite material that combines biochar, carbon nanotubes, and iron carbide, significantly accelerating the breakdown of antibiotics in water. The system achieved up to 15 times higher removal rates compared to conventional materials, while requiring substantially less energy.
Researchers have developed a low-cost fake drug detector that uses an infrared sensor to track pill dissolution rates. The device can identify legitimate medications from counterfeit ones with high accuracy, making it a valuable tool in the fight against global health threats.
A new study suggests that Neanderthals used birch tar not only as an adhesive but also to treat wounds, showing effective antimicrobial properties against S. aureus bacteria. The research findings are relevant in light of the global rise in bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a high-quality diet, moderate exercise, and low alcohol consumption, was associated with lower cardiometabolic disease risk. The study found that adhering to these healthy behaviors reduced the risk of major cardiometabolic diseases independent of medication use.
Using azithromycin within one day triggers antibiotic resistance in the respiratory tract, according to a study published in Nature Microbiology. The researchers followed hospitalized COVID-19 patients and found that azithromycin changed the mix of microbes in the upper airway, leading to persistent changes for more than a week.
A recent study estimated a significant increase in psilocybin use in Oregon and Colorado following decriminalization. The research suggests a potential shift in user behavior, with more individuals exploring the substance.
The NRG-LU005 trial found that immunotherapy atezolizumab did not improve survival for patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer when added to chemoradiation. Twice-daily radiation therapy, however, was associated with improved survival in this population.