Articles tagged with Medications
A cross-sectional study found significant increases in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) per-patient days supplied in employer plans from 2021 to 2024, driven by higher growth in weight loss coverage. This could signal a growing financial burden on patients and payers as drug costs increase over time.
The new calculator predicts that over 98% of people eligible for statin treatment are at low risk of serious muscle disorders. The tool aims to support informed treatment decisions by providing personalized risk estimates, helping patients and clinicians weigh benefits and risks.
Researchers at Texas A&M University develop a laser technique called TRIP to directly measure quantum forces shaping proteins, enabling accurate prediction of how pharmaceutical drugs interact with them. This breakthrough could lead to the design of medicines tailored to specific diseases, revolutionizing precision medicine.
A phase III trial is investigating whether an immune-boosting drug can help keep early-stage lung cancer from coming back after surgery. Researchers aim to enroll 336 participants with stage I non-small cell lung cancer and determine if the treatment reduces recurrence.
Researchers at the German Center for Infection Research have developed a promising single-dose malaria treatment called SPAP, which targets the malaria parasite through multiple mechanisms. The four-drug combination therapy has shown significant promise in improving malaria treatment and could be a major advancement in sub-Saharan Africa.
A recent study found that the FDA approval of semaglutide for weight management led to a significant increase in calls to poison control centers, with over 8,000 cases reported by 2023. The majority of errors were preventable and stemmed from unintentional dosing or therapeutic mistakes.
A study published in Psychological Medicine found that a laxative drug, Prucalopride, improved executive function and memory in patients with depression. The research suggests that targeting serotonin receptors may help alleviate cognitive problems associated with depression.
A study found that nearly 4 in 10 patients stopped GLP-1 medication within the first year and nearly two-thirds restarted therapy within two years. The researchers also identified sociodemographic, clinical, and provider-level predictors of discontinuation, including Medicaid or Medicare status, Black patients, and side effects.
Researchers at UCSF built a robotic system to treat thousands of mini tumors, identifying shared features among persister cells that could help explain why cancer comes back. Nine drugs consistently weakened persister cells, suggesting common vulnerabilities.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that metformin reduced the risk of clinician-diagnosed long COVID by 50% when administered during acute COVID-19 infection. The study, which enrolled nearly 3,000 adults, showed improved long-term outcomes and no safety concerns.
A study of 6,165 Salmonella samples identified 128 types of toxins, including 45 previously unknown. The toxins act in competition among microorganisms and may inspire antibiotic development and biotechnological applications.
A White House announcement on treating autism with leucovorin and against acetaminophen during pregnancy led to significant increases in internet searches for these topics. Nearly 1 million additional searches for leucovorin were recorded, alongside over 4 million searches for acetaminophen.
A recent study by Semmelweis University found that alkaline mineral and medicinal waters can weaken the enteric coating of medications, reducing their effectiveness. The study analyzed 22 beverages and found that tap water was less damaging to the coating than acidic or alkaline liquids.
Researchers identify key mechanisms and molecular targets to prevent tumor progression in patients with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer affecting young children. Two new treatment possibilities have been highlighted, targeting the IRE1α-XBP1 signaling axis and protein TAK1.
The application deadline has been extended to June 23, 2026, in two categories: Women's Health and Pharmaceutical Strategies and Innovation. The €45,000 prize fund includes six awards of €10,000, €7,500, and €5,000.
Mazdutide, a GLP-1 receptor dual agonist, provides clinically meaningful weight reduction in Chinese adults with obesity. However, gastrointestinal adverse reactions are more common among those taking the drug compared to placebo.
In an exploratory analysis, finerenone was found to slow kidney function decline, reduce albuminuria, and lower the risk of kidney failure or substantial loss of kidney function in patients with glomerular diseases. These findings suggest a crucial role for finerenone in preserving kidney function in this population.
In patients with advanced chronic kidney disease at high cardiovascular risk, low-dose rivaroxaban did not reduce the composite risk of a cardiovascular outcome. Major bleeding rates were significantly higher in the low-dose rivaroxaban group compared to the placebo group.
International experts will gather in Valencia to discuss phage therapy's translation from isolated successes to widespread clinical implementation. The challenge now is addressing regulation, manufacturing, accessibility, and clinical integration to make phage therapy a routine healthcare solution.
A new summary of evidence reveals that antidepressants have limited benefits beyond 12 months and may cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Researchers are calling for treatment reviews every six months and recommending gradual weaning strategies when discontinuing medication.
Researchers analyzed data from over 50,000 adults who started taking aspirin and found a similar bladder cancer prevalence but lower invasive stage. Aspirin initiators received more cystoscopies, which uncovered the cancer. The study suggests that aspirin may unmask otherwise asymptomatic bladder cancer.
Researchers have found a widely available drug combination to be an effective treatment for patients with systemically active Sjögren's disease. The combination of leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine reduced disease activity while maintaining a favorable safety profile.
Journalists from eligible European countries can submit entries in two categories: Women’s Health and Pharmaceutical Strategies. The total prize fund is €45,000, with €10,000 awarded to the first prize winner.
Research found that active pharmaceutical ingredients degrade at a higher rate when stored in resealable plastic bags compared to original packaging, posing risks for astronauts during space missions.
The study found that adjuvant nivolumab did not improve disease-free survival in patients with resected non–small cell lung cancer. The treatment was also not effective in sensitizing EGFR and ALK alterations.
Adding fovinaciclib to first-line aromatase inhibitor therapy confers significant progression-free survival benefits and consistent improvements in efficacy outcomes. The treatment also has manageable safety profiles with no negative impact on quality of life.
A clinical trial found that low-dose quetiapine improved sleep quality and reduced obstructive sleep apnea severity, but significantly impaired alertness and driving performance. The study highlights the need for caution when using sedating medications for insomnia in people with known or possible sleep apnea.
A scoping review compared biosimilar regulatory guidelines across all WHO regions, identifying barriers to data transferability that may affect medication pricing, access, and reimbursement. The study aims to improve biosimilars' global accessibility.
A study from UC San Francisco researchers reveals that regulatory differences around the world are slowing the development and adoption of biosimilars. The lack of standardization in biosimilar approval processes is a major obstacle for these cheaper alternatives to expensive biologics, which could lower costs for patients.
A recent study from UT San Antonio reveals that low-cost on-the-job training for frontline health workers can significantly reduce medical supply shortages, resulting in a 30% reduction in stock-outs. This training has the potential to save thousands of lives globally by preventing unintended pregnancies and maternal and newborn deaths.
Research suggests that commonly used anemia medications can inhibit tumor growth and prevent new blood vessel formation, offering a potential dual approach to treating both conditions. The findings open up new possibilities for treating cancer in patients with anemia, who currently face separate treatment goals.
A new study published in JAMA Neurology finds ecopipam to be effective in suppressing tics in patients with Tourette syndrome. The medication was well-tolerated and showed no significant adverse effects over a period of up to 24 weeks.
A cohort study found that Medicaid prescription caps were associated with lower overall prescription medication use and greater frequency of acute care visits among young adults with opioid use disorder. This suggests that the implementation of these caps may have unintended consequences for individuals struggling with addiction.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.