All posts tagged: medication

A T.N. man overcame opioid addiction to pass the bar exam. Then he was told to quit his medication

A T.N. man overcame opioid addiction to pass the bar exam. Then he was told to quit his medication

Published by skeptic

Guidance recently issued by the American Society of Addiction Medicine states that patients should have access to the full range of FDA-approved medications. Regulatory agencies including state licensing boards, the ASAM said, should not “discriminate against the type of treatment an individual receives based on unjustified assumptions that certain treatments cause impairment.” Scott began driving for Uber to make extra money for rehab and even tried decreasing his medication dosage. In the meantime, he said, he faced increasingly uncomfortable questions from his employer, who wanted him to stay on but wondered why he hadn’t gotten his license yet. He felt torn on what to do. “I’ve had 100% success with my recovery,” he said. “What made it so hard is the science was on my side on this. What happens if I am right and then you put me into long-term treatment? Who knows what happens after that?” He didn’t know that federal authorities at the time were actively investigating a similar scenario just two states over, in Indiana. ‘A very strong signal’ Though the …

Cholesterol medication could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, study finds

Cholesterol medication could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, study finds

Published by skeptic

People diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia who also received treatment with lipid-lowering statins experienced a slower deterioration. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) Alzheimer’s disease, a devastating neurodegenerative condition that affects millions of people worldwide, may have found a glimmer of hope in an unexpected place – statins. A groundbreaking study led by Karolinska Institutet, recently published in Alzheimer Research and Therapy, suggests that statins, commonly used to lower cholesterol levels, might slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in certain patients. While the results are promising, the researchers emphasize caution, viewing this study as just the first step in the journey of discovery. The study’s findings reveal a fascinating connection between Alzheimer’s and statins. People diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia who also received treatment with lipid-lowering statins experienced a slower deterioration in their cognitive functions compared to those who did not receive statin treatment. Interaction between the patient’s and medication’s characteristics potentially influence the cognitive effects of statins. Two separate cholesterol pools in the body are thought to be connected to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), central and peripheral. (CREDIT: …

Oprah Winfrey Leaves Weight Watchers Board After Revealing Use of Weight-Loss Medication

Oprah Winfrey Leaves Weight Watchers Board After Revealing Use of Weight-Loss Medication

Published by Sam

Oprah Winfrey is stepping back from her role with Weight Watchers after serving on the board of directors for a decade. The news comes shortly after the media mogul disclosed her recent use of weight-loss medication.  “I look forward to continuing to advise and collaborate with WeightWatchers and CEO Sima Sistani in elevating the conversation around recognizing obesity as a chronic condition, working to reduce stigma, and advocating for health equity,” Winfrey said in a statement to ET. “Weight Health is a critically important topic and one that needs to be addressed at a broader scale. I plan to participate in a number of public forums and events where I will be a vocal advocate in advancing this conversation,” she continued. “In addition, I have decided to donate my interest in WeightWatchers to the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). I have been a long-time supporter of this worthy organization, and I am proud to continue my support.” According to Weight Watchers’ last proxy statement, per The Hollywood Reporter, Winfrey’s stake was …

The mothers fighting a scandal bigger than thalidomide: ‘We were told the medication was safe’ | Health

The mothers fighting a scandal bigger than thalidomide: ‘We were told the medication was safe’ | Health

Published by skeptic

In 2009, Emma Murphy took a phone call from her sister that changed her life. “At first, I couldn’t make out what she was saying; she was crying so much,” Murphy says. “All I could hear was ‘Epilim’.” This was a brand name for sodium valproate, the medication Murphy had been taking since she was 12 to manage her epilepsy. Her sister explained that a woman on the local news had claimed that taking the drug during her pregnancies had harmed her children. She was appealing for other women who might have experienced this to come forward. Murphy found the news segment that evening and watched it. “I was just stunned,” she says. “Watching that, I knew. I knew there and then that my children had been affected.” At that point, Murphy was a mother to five children, all under six, and married to Joe, a taxi driver in Manchester. “My kids are fabulous, all of them, but I’d known for years that something was wrong,” she says. “They weren’t meeting milestones. There was delayed speech, …

Seniors, FDA Has 5 Medication Tips to Keep You Safe

Seniors, FDA Has 5 Medication Tips to Keep You Safe

Published by skeptic

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter HealthDay MONDAY, Feb. 19, 2024 (HealthDay News) — When settling into your senior years, you need to be especially careful when taking medicines, herbal remedies and supplements, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. That’s because older adults are likely to use more prescription and over-the-counter medications, which increases the risk of harmful side effects and drug interactions, the FDA said in a news release. In addition, physical changes associated with aging can affect the way your body handles medications, and even how different medicines work in your body. For example, the liver and kidneys might not work as well as they do for younger people, which can affect how a drug breaks down and leaves the body. Even medications that worked well for a person during their youth and middle age might need to be adjusted or changed later in life, the FDA says. Keeping all that in mind, the FDA has some important safety tips: Take medication as prescribed. The best medicine in the world won’t work unless …

Find Cheaper Heart Medication Using GoodRx and Other Discounts

Find Cheaper Heart Medication Using GoodRx and Other Discounts

Published by skeptic

GoodRx, a company that offers coupons on medications, said Thursday it’s offering discounts on 30 common heart medications for under $30.  These include medications for coronary artery disease, hypertension, high cholesterol and more conditions associated with heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the US.  To find a discount, look for your medication on the list in the heart health hub and then either select your preferred pharmacy or click around until you find the cheapest deal (prices vary a bit by pharmacy and other factors). The heart medications under $30 aren’t new to GoodRx, but the company compiled them into a heart health section on the website for an easier find.   What medications are included?  You can find discounts on a variety of prescription drugs by searching GoodRx, but the ones compiled on the 30 under 30 section include generic versions of different statins (common for high cholesterol), medications for hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain) and more.  Once you find your medication and preferred coupon, you’ll need to …

Abortion medication is as safe over telehealth as in a doctor’s office

Abortion medication is as safe over telehealth as in a doctor’s office

Published by skeptic

Abortion medication pills include mifepristone and misoprostol Brigette Supernova / Alamy Abortion pills are as safe and effective when obtained through telehealth services as in doctors’ offices, according to the largest study of telehealth abortions to date. Abortion access is a contentious political issue in the US. In 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) dropped in-person dispensing requirements for the abortion medication mifepristone, allowing people to get the pill through telehealth services and the mail. Anti-abortion groups are now challenging this decision in the US Supreme Court. Prior studies of a few hundred pregnancies have shown telehealth abortions are safe. To investigate further with a larger sample size, Ushma Upadhyay at the University of California, San Francisco, and her colleagues collected data on more than 6000 telehealth abortions across 20 US states and Washington DC. All participants were less than 10 weeks pregnant, and about 72 per cent of them obtained abortion pills through secure text messaging rather than video calls. The researchers followed up with participants between three and seven days after …

You Could Take Ozempic and Not Lose Any Weight

You Could Take Ozempic and Not Lose Any Weight

Published by skeptic

No medication in the history of modern weight loss has inspired as much awe as the latest class of obesity drugs. Wegovy and Zepbound are so effective that they are often likened to “magic” and “miracles.” Indeed, the weekly injections, which belong to a broader class known as GLP-1s, can lead to weight loss of 20 percent or more, fueling hype about a future in which many more millions of Americans take them. Major food companies including Nestlé and Conagra are considering tailoring their products to suit GLP-1 users. Underlying all this excitement is a huge assumption: They work for everyone. But for a lot of people, they just don’t. Anita, who lives in Arizona, told me she “took it for granted” that she would lose weight on a GLP-1 drug because “the people around me who were on it were just dropping weight like mad.” Instead, she didn’t shed any pounds. Likewise, Kathryn, from Florida, hasn’t lost any weight since starting the medication in October. “I was really hoping this was something that would …

As investors pile into psychedelics, idealism gives way to pharma economics

As investors pile into psychedelics, idealism gives way to pharma economics

Published by skeptic

Money is pouring into the fledgling psychedelic medicine industry, with dozens of startup companies vying to be among the first to sell mind-expanding drugs for depression, addiction and other mental health conditions. While psychedelics are still illegal under federal law, companies are jostling to try and patent key ingredients found in magic mushrooms, ayahuasca and other substances that have been used underground for decades or — in some cases — for millennia by indigenous cultures. Wall Street’s sudden exuberance for hallucinogens has rankled longtime advocates and philanthropists, who dreamed of making low-cost psychedelics widely available for mental health and personal growth. Instead, many now see a very different future for drugs like psilocybin and LSD: as expensive, specialty medications controlled by a handful of biotech companies. “It’s disappointing,” said Carey Turnbull, an investor and philanthropist who sits on the board of several psychedelic nonprofits. “All the air is getting sucked out of the room by these for-profit companies who say, ‘Wow, this stuff is awesome, if I could patent it I’d make a fortune.’” Since …

Common cholesterol medication may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease

Common cholesterol medication may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease

Published by skeptic

Alzheimer’s disease, a devastating neurodegenerative condition that affects millions of people worldwide, may have found a glimmer of hope. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) Alzheimer’s disease, a devastating neurodegenerative condition that affects millions of people worldwide, may have found a glimmer of hope in an unexpected place – statins. A groundbreaking study led by Karolinska Institutet, recently published in Alzheimer Research and Therapy, suggests that statins, commonly used to lower cholesterol levels, might slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in certain patients. While the results are promising, the researchers emphasize caution, viewing this study as just the first step in a potentially groundbreaking journey of discovery. The study’s findings reveal a fascinating connection between Alzheimer’s and statins. People diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia who also received treatment with lipid-lowering statins experienced a slower deterioration in their cognitive functions compared to those who did not receive statin treatment. However, it’s essential to note that this is an observational study, where researchers analyzed patient data from a registry. As such, it cannot definitively establish a causal relationship between statin use and …