Articles tagged with Adverse Effects
A new study published in Pain journal finds that acupuncture has little convincing evidence of effectiveness in reducing pain, while causing serious adverse effects. The authors call for better training of acupuncturists to minimize avoidable harm.
A study found that older adults are willing to take cardiovascular disease prevention medications if the benefits outweigh the risks. However, many participants were unwilling or uncertain about taking medications with mild adverse effects, highlighting the need for emphasis on both benefits and harms in clinical guidelines.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that customers who participate in firm-sponsored surveys after a service experience may delay their next purchase. However, the study also found that these surveys can have net positive effects on customer behavior over time.
A study by the University of Washington found that 25 commonly used scented products release an average of 17 chemicals each, with nearly a quarter classified as toxic or hazardous. The majority of these chemicals were not listed on product labels or disclosed to consumers.
A new study found that experiencing some lifetime adversity can contribute to the development of resilience, leading to lower global distress, functional impairment, and increased life satisfaction. Researchers analyzed a national sample of 2,398 subjects and discovered a U-shaped relationship between lifetime adversity and outcomes.
Researchers found that GSK-3 inhibitors may cause enlarged heart muscle cells and inability to contract optimally in mice. The study suggests that therapeutic GSK-3 inhibitors might have serious adverse effects on the heart.
Scientists at the University of Gothenburg have created a method to develop safer drugs by simulating metabolism and identifying potentially toxic metabolites. This approach has been successfully applied to the antimalarial drug amodiaquine, which was withdrawn due to liver damage and immune system impairment.
A study of over 800 epileptic patients found that individual susceptibility, AED type, and physician skills are key factors determining adverse effects. Despite high polytherapy rates, no major difference was observed in adverse effect frequency between monotherapy and polytherapy groups.
Severe adverse effects, such as burns and scarring, have been reported from untrained laser hair removal operators. The Canadian Medical Association Journal recommends setting minimum training standards for operators to ensure safe and effective procedures.
A new review emphasizes the need for cardio-oncology to address cardiovascular side effects of cancer treatments. The authors suggest identifying high-risk patients with biomarkers and imaging techniques to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Researchers have discovered that carbon nanotubes can accelerate seed germination and increase seedling weight, suggesting potential benefits for agriculture and biofuel production. The study's findings could lead to improved crop yields and more efficient biomass production.
A review estimates that 166 million adults worldwide aged 15-64 years used cannabis in 2006, despite the risks of its adverse effects on health. Regular cannabis smokers report more symptoms of chronic bronchitis and cognitive impairments, while cannabis use is associated with poor educational attainment.
A large cohort study of 456,930 contrast doses found only 522 cases of adverse effects, most being mild and non-severe. The study suggests that contrast agents are safe to use and essential for diagnosis, with the advent of new agents improving their safety profile.
A commentary in JAMA explores how US healthcare's emphasis on providing services can lead to direct and indirect harm. The authors argue that this focus can cause excessive healthcare use and spending, diverting resources away from education and environmental quality.
Exposure to low doses of BPA during development can affect female reproductive health in rats, with early onset of puberty and ovarian malformations observed. The study suggests a link between low-dose BPA exposure and fertility issues in females.
A new type of botulinum toxin, Reloxin, has been found to be well-tolerated and effective in reducing moderate to severe forehead lines over a period of 13 months. The study involved 1,200 patients who received low doses of the toxin, with minimal side effects reported.
A comprehensive review of nearly 900 studies on statin side effects reveals a spectrum of reported issues, from muscle problems to cognitive decline. The study also highlights the link between mitochondrial dysfunction and increased risk of adverse effects.
A $1.7 million study will investigate how the body metabolizes ecstasy, a 'hug drug' with serious negative effects on brain function. The research aims to identify individuals at risk of long-term adverse effects from the drug.
A new study by University of Warwick researcher Dr Neil Stewart reveals that the presence of a minimum payment on credit card bills can lead to lower actual repayments, increasing interest charges and debt duration. The study found that customers who make partial repayments are particularly affected by anchoring.
Research from the University of Missouri has shown a significant relationship between BPA exposure and cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver enzyme abnormalities. The FDA is urged to take action to reduce human and environmental exposures to BPA due to its adverse health effects.
A University of Washington study reveals that dozens of toxic chemicals are emitted by top-selling laundry products and air fresheners, with none listed on product labels. The study highlights the need for better labeling and reduced exposure to potentially hazardous fragrances.
A study published in JAMA found that sildenafil significantly improved sexual function in women with major depression experiencing sexual dysfunction related to antidepressant use. This improvement was associated with a reduced risk of premature medication discontinuation and enhanced treatment adherence.
A study published in Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery found that carbon dioxide laser resurfacing can improve facial wrinkles over the long-term, with a 45% improvement rate. However, some patients experienced complications such as hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation.
Researchers found that polyalkylimide implants can cause infrequent but sometimes severe immune-related adverse effects, including swelling, hardening, and systemic symptoms, in patients who received these fillers at least 12 months prior.
A new study found that women taking osteoporosis medication alendronate are at increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation. The researchers estimated that approximately 3% of new atrial fibrillation cases may be attributed to alendronate use.
The Otho S.A. Sprague Memorial Institute has awarded Rush a $124,633 grant to support a first-of-its-kind patient-safety project using mediation to resolve disputes and prevent adverse events. The program aims to reduce future medical malpractice actions and improve quality care.
A new classification system of 15 lip zones can help cosmetic surgeons better control lip shape and size, leading to high patient satisfaction and no adverse effects. The study involved 137 treatments on 66 patients and found an average score of 4.5 for patient satisfaction.
Researchers at UCSD developed a novel technique to predict drug side effects using computer modeling, identifying an unintended protein target for SERMs. The approach can be applied to any drug with existing receptor structure data in the PDB, potentially reducing adverse effects and improving therapeutics.
A new study published in JCI Journals reveals that smoking before pregnancy or while breast-feeding may decrease the fertility of female offspring by reducing resting and early growing follicles. The effects are mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), which upregulates expression of the Harakiri gene, leading to cell death.
Research found that studies funded by pharmaceutical companies were less likely to report adverse effects of inhaled corticosteroids, suggesting a potential conflict of interest. The study analyzed 504 studies and found significant differences in outcomes based on funding source.
A study published in SLEEP found that combining low-dose alcohol with moderate sleep restriction significantly impaired young men's subjective alertness and driving performance. Steering deviation increased significantly with the combination, suggesting a reduced threshold for safe driving.
A study by Mark E. Howard found that extended wakefulness and low-dose alcohol have significant adverse effects on driving performance. The combination results in more lapses, greater variation in lane position and speed than a higher BAC level in a rested state.
A new study suggests that PPAR-gamma agonists, used to treat diabetes, may cause heart failure due to fat accumulation and cell dysfunction. Increased activity of the receptor leads to glucolipotoxicity, a condition characterized by deterioration in heart function.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that artificial food colorings and additives can increase levels of hyperactivity in children up to middle childhood. The effects were observed across a wide range of severities and in the general population, not just in those with extreme hyperactivity.
A study found that consuming small amounts of dark chocolate daily reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure without adverse effects. The findings suggest that adopting flavanol-rich cocoa into one's diet may be a promising approach to lower blood pressure in individuals with above-optimal blood pressure levels.
Researchers found that garlic tablets are effective in reducing morbidity for upper respiratory tract infections and resolving warts in children. However, more research is needed to explore its effects on cardiovascular disease and potential adverse effects when applied topically, which can cause second-degree burns.
Local exposure to traffic on freeways has serious adverse effects on children's lung development, with increased rates of asthma and respiratory diseases. Lung-function deficiency is related to residential exposure to traffic, particularly within 500m of a major road.
Two studies found increased cardiovascular and kidney risks associated with Cox-2 inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A meta-analysis of 114 randomized trials of COX-2 inhibitors revealed a class effect on renal events and arrhythmia events, but not for other COX-2 inhibitors.
Research found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and clonidine may provide some evidence of efficacy for reducing menopausal hot flashes. However, the effectiveness of these therapies is less than estrogen therapy and may be limited by adverse effects and cost.
A team of researchers has identified a potential alternative therapeutic option to COX-2 inhibitors by targeting microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1). Inhibiting mPGES-1 suppresses PGE2 expression while augmenting PGI2 production, without affecting blood clotting or blood pressure.
Several serious adverse effects have been identified from analyzing medical insurance claims data. Researchers will present a case study on bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis using dental claims data for enhanced drug safety surveillance.
A 24-week open-label extension trial found memantine beneficial for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, maintaining clinically relevant benefits. The study showed an adverse event profile similar to the double-blind phase, supporting the drug's safety for long-term use.
Researchers found that 56% of older HCV patients experienced dose reductions or discontinuations due to adverse effects, negatively impacting sustained virological response rates. The study emphasizes the need for modified treatment schedules and patient education to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Research published in The Lancet suggests that light to moderate alcohol consumption may have little to no health benefits, outweighing the potential harms. Professor Rod Jackson's findings emphasize that there is no 'safe' window for drinking, and individuals should avoid consuming alcohol altogether.
A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology has found that parking lot sealcoat may be a significant source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The research suggests that the sealcoat can leach PAHs into the environment, posing potential health risks.
A recent study has found that patients who received incorrect doses of fibrinolytic agents were more likely to have underlying health conditions, such as lower systolic blood pressure and body weight. These findings suggest that adverse outcomes from blood clot therapy may be due to patient characteristics rather than dosing errors.
Researchers analyzed 29,508 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced CT with iopromide. The study found that 29,297 experienced no adverse effects, while only four were severe out of 211 reported cases. This large-scale study provides insight into the safety of iopromide in a diverse patient population.
The Life Sciences Research Office has established scientific criteria to assess the impact of non-tobacco additives on cigarette smokers. The criteria focus on identifying potential risks and determining safe levels of additives, while considering inhalation testing within a smoke matrix.
The Life Sciences Research Office review of scientific literature concludes that dental amalgam does not cause serious adverse health consequences, except in rare cases of allergic reactions. The study's findings contradict claims that mercury release from dental amalgam leads to various health issues.
A study examined the association between cerivastatin sodium and rhabdomyolysis to illustrate the US postmarketing safety-surveillance system's limitations. The authors suggest an outside group should review label changes, new studies, or suspension of sales to balance patient and industry interests.
A study found that combining antidepressant medication nortriptyline with a nicotine patch significantly increased smoking cessation rates at six months. The treatment showed a 23% success rate, compared to 10% for those receiving a placebo. However, participants taking nortriptyline experienced more side effects.
The Vioxx drug was found to increase the risk of heart attacks in patients, with a doubling of risk compared to placebo or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The data showed that adverse cardiovascular effects were evident earlier than September 2004.
A meta-analysis of randomized trials found that beta-blockers significantly reduce all-cause mortality in heart failure patients by 27% and absolute annual increases in risks of hypotension, dizziness, and bradycardia. Fewer patients were withdrawn from beta-blocker therapy than from placebo due to adverse effects.
Researchers found that long-term consumption of high amounts of isoflavones can alter patterns of agonistic and social behavior in primates, including increased aggressive and submissive behavior. The study suggests careful attention must be taken to balance beneficial and potentially adverse effects of soy consumption.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins found that 34% of herbal weight-loss product websites contained incorrect or misleading statements, which could lead to serious harm to consumers. The products contain serious side effects such as heart attacks, strokes, and increased blood pressure.
A study found that 41% of web sites selling ephedra products failed to disclose potential adverse effects or contraindications, while 53% did not reveal the dosage of ephedra alkaloids. The authors recommend that makers of dietary supplements containing ephedra should voluntarily disclose pertinent information about the supplements.
Dr. Tierney emphasizes that medication side effects are often non-specific and can be attributed to underlying conditions, not just the medication itself. He advocates for regular screening of patients using computer-based medical records systems to eliminate preventable errors.
A Stanford research team conducted a comprehensive analysis of low-carbohydrate diets, finding they lead to short-term weight loss through reduced caloric intake. However, there is insufficient evidence on the long-term effects and potential health risks associated with these diets.
A Rutgers University study shows that Prozac treatment preserves female learning ability even under stress. Chronic Prozac treatment was found to be effective in protecting females from the negative effects of stressful experiences on learning. The researchers also found that males and females respond differently to stressful experiences.
A study found that farmers with specific genetic variations in the paraoxonase gene are more likely to experience poor health after exposure to organophosphates used in sheep dip. This suggests a potential link between repeated exposure and chronic ill health.