Articles tagged with Medications
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have developed a promising new substance that inhibits the ability of tuberculosis bacteria to produce energy and causes them to die. The compound, PRP020, targets the pathogen's ATP synthase but attacks a different site than existing drugs like bedaquiline.
Researchers found that plant phenolic acids can dramatically boost the activity of existing antibiotics against multidrug resistant E. coli, reducing the chance of new resistance emerging. The compounds also make it easier for antibiotics to enter and stay inside bacterial cells.
A growing trend of antipsychotic medication prescription increases in older U.S. adults, with long-term care pharmacies being a primary source. Non-psychiatrist prescribers contribute to the trend, highlighting concerns over medication accessibility and oversight.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that individuals who received emergency or hospital care for hallucinogen use are at a higher risk of developing mania and bipolar disorder. The study revealed a six-fold increased risk of mania diagnosis within three years for those who received such care.
Researchers tracked 120 older veterans taking gabapentinoids and loop diuretics, finding that only 4 doctors correctly identified the gabapentinoids as the cause of leg swelling. The study highlights the dangers of 'prescribing cascades' and emphasizes the need for regular monitoring and alternative treatment options.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a new treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, a deadly form of blood cancer. The FDA-approved medication works by disrupting cellular protein interactions that drive leukemia cell growth and survival, offering patients a potential cure.
The study found that GLP-1 receptor agonists are increasingly used for postpartum weight loss in overweight women without a documented diabetes diagnosis. The primary indication for use was weight reduction, suggesting a potential shift in treatment guidelines.
Withdrawal of tirzepatide after 36-week treatment led to 25% or greater weight regain in most participants within a year, reversing initial cardiometabolic parameter improvements. Continued obesity treatment is crucial for sustained benefits.
A UCSF study found that a combination of outreach methods, including texts and live phone calls, significantly improves follow-up care for hard-to-reach patients. The integrated approach increased engagement among African American patients to 76.4% and improved overall reach rate by 3.5%, supporting their recovery and treatment outcomes.
The article highlights the mismatch between psychedelics and economic drug development principles. Pharmaceutical companies are developing short-acting compounds and neuroplastogens to engineer trips out of the experience altogether. Dr. Sandy Hager's research suggests investors should remain cautious due to weak intellectual property ...
A new patch developed by Texas A&M University researcher Dr. Ke Huang may offer a way to help the heart heal after a heart attack by delivering interleukin-4 directly to damaged heart tissue. The patch uses a microneedle system to promote repair and improve heart function without affecting the rest of the body.
A study comparing GLP-1 RAs found that all three drugs are relatively safe options for patients with type 2 diabetes, with minimal differences in kidney and cardiovascular risks. Liraglutide had a lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to dulaglutide.
The GSK/Fleming Initiative is launching six new research programs to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using advanced AI. The programs focus on discovering new antibiotics and vaccines for Gram-negative bacteria and fungal infections, with the goal of accelerating development of effective treatments.
Researchers found high-engagement social media posts lack essential risk information and promotional elements, potentially eroding patient decision-making. The study highlights the need for fair balance in online advertising to maintain informed consent.
A Cochrane review found that low-dose colchicine reduced heart attacks and strokes in people with a history of heart disease or stroke. The study involved nearly 23,000 participants and showed that taking colchicine could prevent about two of each heart attack and stroke among those with cardiovascular disease.
Headache disorders affect nearly one in every three people, causing significant disability and health loss. Migraine and medication overuse drive most of the global burden, emphasizing the need for improved prevention, management, and access to care.
A recent landmark study identifies adenosine as the critical mediator of rapid antidepressant action, connecting ketamine, ECT, and hypoxia. The discovery raises questions about the potential interference of caffeine with these treatments, highlighting the need for further research on adenosinergic modulation in depression.
A new compound MCH11, a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, shows promising effects in reducing alcohol consumption and motivation to drink in mice. The molecule exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant properties with sex-dependent efficacy, correcting genetic alterations associated with alcohol use disorder.
Researchers at UVA School of Medicine found that the breakdown of protective brain structures called perineuronal nets leads to social memory loss in Alzheimer's patients. Preventing the degradation of these nets may lead to new treatments to prevent or delay the disease.
Researchers are searching for cellular vulnerabilities in 'superbugs' like E. coli and P. aeruginosa to find new, effective therapeutics. The $5.3 million project aims to develop new ways to deliver lifesaving drugs directly into resistant pathogens.
A UBC-led study found that most pharmacies in British Columbia can provide the abortion pill mifepristone within days, but uneven access still poses barriers for some women. The study highlights the need for better communication between pharmacies and clearer referral systems to close remaining gaps.
A recent study found that fewer than half of young adults with severely high cholesterol levels start taking a statin within five years of first high LDL-C measurement. The study highlights significant care gaps in lipid management among adults aged 18-39, particularly those at high risk for premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular dis...
A new national quality framework has been developed to evaluate medication management and clinical services provided by pharmacists in residential aged care. The PHARMA-Care National Quality Framework promotes a transparent, person-centred approach to medication management, aiming to reduce risks linked to polypharmacy.
Pharmacists play a key role in providing medication abortion services when mifepristone is regulated as a routine prescription. This study's findings inform policy initiatives to enhance pharmacist referral networks and improve access to medication abortion.
A large global study of 23,000 people found that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) used for indigestion and heartburn were associated with poorer overall survival and a higher risk of severe side effects in patients with breast cancer. Statins and metformin showed no significant impact on either survival or adverse events.
A recent study at the University of Gothenburg discovered that two medications, cholestyramine and colesevelam, can rapidly eliminate perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the body. The findings suggest a potential therapeutic application for these medicines in reducing PFAS levels.
Scientists have discovered a promising new treatment for nail infections using hydrogen sulphide, a naturally occurring gas that can penetrate the nail plate efficiently. The research has shown strong antimicrobial activity against a range of nail pathogens, including fungi resistant to common antifungal treatments.
A new analysis of the PANDA trial found that sertraline contributes to improvements in low mood and suicidal thinking within two weeks of taking the drug. The study also revealed an improvement in emotional symptoms of depression within two weeks, with continued benefits from six weeks to 12 weeks.
A University of East Anglia study found that treating patients at home with IV antibiotics can save the NHS over £3,500 per patient and potentially free-up vital hospital beds. The treatment involves having antibiotics prepared at home and continuously delivered into the bloodstream by an elastomeric pump.
The FDA has approved elinzanetant for treating hot flashes and night sweats in postmenopausal women. The drug significantly reduces the frequency and severity of symptoms while improving sleep quality and quality of life.
A Norwegian study of over 21,000 adolescents and young adults found that those with persistent parental opioid prescriptions faced more than double the risk of persistent opioid use. The study suggests considering family-based approaches to managing pain conditions in adolescents and young adults.
A new study published in The Lancet found that semaglutide, a 'weight loss' drug, can help prevent heart attacks and other major cardiac events, regardless of the amount of weight people lose. The study suggests there are multiple ways the drug benefits the heart, beyond its protective effect on cardiovascular health.
A recent study found that telehealth medication abortion requests doubled in 18 states following the Dobbs decision, with the majority of requests occurring before 6 weeks of pregnancy. This increase builds upon previous findings indicating a rise in telehealth requests among individuals living far from in-person abortion services.
A recent study found that 44% of people with chronic conditions experience medication-related burden, which can reduce adherence to treatment and lower quality of life. Healthcare professionals should prioritize patient perspectives and individualized treatment planning to address this issue.
This study found that GLP-1RAs and SGLT2is offer the greatest cardiovascular benefits for adults with type 2 diabetes. The magnitude of benefit depends on baseline age, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and kidney impairment.
The analysis explores how reduced fentanyl production costs affect the structure and conduct of the illegal opioid supply industry. It also assesses potential consequences for drug law enforcement organizations, finding modest declines in expenditures and income-generating crime.
In a multicenter randomized clinical trial, rapid induction of injectable extended-release buprenorphine showed higher retention rates compared to standard induction. Administration of injection 2 after 1 week was well tolerated and reduced time below target therapeutic levels.
A new study finds that benzodiazepines and antipsychotics prescribed to patients with dementia receiving hospice care may carry major unintended risks, including increased mortality. The study highlights two policy issues: lack of oversight of medication use in hospice and a mismatch between hospice policy and dementia care.
Researchers discovered reduced concentrations of key lipids in patients with NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD), whereas healthy controls showed increased levels with low-dose aspirin. Elevated lipid mediators linked to inflammation were also observed, suggesting potential new diagnostic and treatment options.
A comparative effectiveness study found that liraglutide, semaglutide, and dulaglutide have similar risks for kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in veterans with type 2 diabetes. Head-to-head trials are needed to confirm these findings.
A cohort study found that 40% of GLP-1RA orders were not filled, with lower rates among Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients. These disparities may be attributed to differences in insurance coverage, GLP-1RA use, or cost thresholds.
A new study shows that direct-to-consumer pharmacy pricing can offer lower total costs (431% lower) compared to commercial pharmacies for insured patients. Out-of-pocket neurologic drug costs are 75% higher, but most medications cost less than $635 per year.
A pooled data analysis found tramadol to be ineffective in easing chronic pain, with a small and clinically insignificant effect. The use of tramadol was also associated with an increased risk of serious side effects, including heart disease and certain cancers.
A large-scale observational study found that patients who continued taking ACEis or ARBs had a significantly lower risk of mortality and functional decline after non-cardiac surgeries. These benefits were most evident among patients undergoing orthopedic or gastrointestinal surgeries.
The 340B program has grown into the nation's second-largest drug purchasing program, with significant revenue generated from spread pricing, which disproportionately benefits providers with more commercially insured patients. Eliminating this distorted incentive is essential to ensuring safety-net providers receive benefits.
A new study suggests that low-dose aspirin can prevent cancer in older adults based on individual characteristics. The analysis found varying treatment effects among participants, highlighting the need for personalized approaches to cancer prevention.
Scientists at NYU Pain Research Center identified the EP2 receptor as the main cause of inflammatory pain but not inflammation. Blocking this receptor silenced pain responses without affecting inflammation, offering a new strategy for treating prostaglandin-mediated pain.
A binational study found nearly 6 in 10 US adults and 3 in 10 Japanese adults discontinued semaglutide within 12 months of treatment. Patients with established cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease had higher discontinuation rates, highlighting the need for alternative treatments.
A University of Leicester-led study reveals that around one in three hospital infections involve antimicrobial resistance, independently associated with a higher risk of death. The study found patients with resistant infections had a 58% increased risk of mortality compared to those with susceptible infections.
Conventional treatment methods used by municipal wastewater treatment facilities are ineffective at removing common pharmaceuticals like Prozac, fluoxetine, and loratadine from wastewater. These drugs are discharged into lakes, rivers, and streams, posing risks to aquatic organisms.
A study analyzed antibiotic prescribing patterns in Arkansas Medicaid's patient-centered medical home (PCMH) program. The results showed a decrease in pediatric and adult age group claims, with clinics that prescribed the least antibiotics having lower rates in 2021 compared to previous years.
A recent analysis reveals a modest decline in new and additional opioid prescriptions for patients with cancer from 2016 to 2020. For patients with metastatic cancer, prescribing remained stable for those reporting any pain but declined steeply for those reporting no pain.
A new survey found that the high cost of legal cannabis products is a significant barrier for many participants, while access to unbiased information helps people avoid illicit products. Understanding patients' difficulties in accessing safe products can guide strategies to make the process easier.
A cohort study suggests nicotinamide reduces skin cancer risk, with greatest effect seen after initial skin cancer diagnosis, indicating potential chemopreventive properties of the vitamin B3 derivative
A Swedish study of over 1.2 million children found no significant association between prenatal exposure to opioids and increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The researchers attributed the observed differences in ASD rates among exposed versus unexposed children to other pre...
A national study found that half of adults without diabetes who started taking semaglutide for weight loss discontinued treatment within a year. The most common factors influencing discontinuation were age, with younger users more likely to stop, as well as high costs and higher predisposition to adverse effects.
Researchers evaluated a tool based on NCCN Guidelines to identify high-risk medications and their association with frailty and outcomes in over 380,000 older adults diagnosed with cancer. The study found that each additional high-risk medication increased the odds of being mildly or moderately-to-severely frail by 66%.
Researchers create peptide hydrogel that controls drug release, improving treatment adherence and efficacy for conditions like tuberculosis and diabetes. The SABER platform uses reversible chemical bonds to slow down drug release, offering a promising solution for precise delivery.
A new study found that Australian women of reproductive age taking GLP-1 receptor agonists are not using effective contraception, despite known risks during pregnancy. The research revealed a higher risk of pregnancy among younger women with diabetes and those without diabetes in their early thirties.
A single dose of MM120 (lysergide) produced a dose-dependent reduction in anxiety in participants with moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder. The study supports the efficacy of MM120 and informs dose selection for phase 3 pivotal trials.