Talk about a dose of disappointment. A new analysis suggests that millions of Americans with chronic pain are being prescribed an opioid that likely does little to ease their suffering. To make matters worse, the research indicates the drug significantly increases the risk of serious side effects — including heart disease, the nation’s leading killer. … Read more
From sagging jowls and sulfurous burps to deflated breasts and surprise pregnancies, the side effects of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have ranged from subtle to strange. Now, new research suggests that these wildly popular medications may also be throwing off critical medical imaging scans, interfering with doctors’ ability to detect serious — even deadly — diseases. … Read more
Could “TrumpRx” be the prescription for lower drug prices? President Trump announced a landmark deal with Pfizer to cut drug prices and sell them on TrumpRx, a new direct-to-consumer federal website that’s slated to launch next year. Prescription drug prices in the US are roughly 2.78 times higher on average than in 33 other high-income … Read more
Queasy come, queasy go. Nausea and vomiting are very common in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, due to rapid hormone changes. Though it’s called “morning sickness,” it can occur at any time of day and at any point of pregnancy. A new UCLA study suggests that these unpleasant symptoms are perfectly normal and, in … Read more
This could really move the needle in the GLP-1 weight loss market. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, is injected into the fatty tissue just under the skin of the stomach, thigh or upper arm to treat obesity or Type 2 diabetes. Soon, there may be a promising alternative for the needle-averse, as … Read more
The kids are alright — on GLP-1s, that is. A new study found that blockbuster treatments like Mounjaro and Zepbound can dramatically lower blood sugar and body weight in children as young as 10 with Type 2 diabetes. The data could help pave the way for younger patients to access the shots, as drugmaker Eli … Read more
Director Stephen Gyllenhaal may have found his next project — and it’s a topic very close to him. Gyllenhaal — father to Oscar nominees Jake and Maggie and 10-year-old Luke — was with his youngest son at a swimming pool last year when an unusual feeling washed over him. “My arms and legs suddenly felt … Read more
For some GLP-1 users, the road from slim to grim is a quick turnaround. Surveys show that nearly 12% of Americans have turned to Ozempic, Wegovy or similar drugs to lose weight, with prescriptions more than tripling since 2020. But new research suggests many users are unknowingly sabotaging their progress with one simple mistake. Semaglutide … Read more
A drug once known for zapping zits might now help men who’ve been shooting blanks. In a small study, the medication jumpstarted sperm production in severely infertile patients, opening a new door to biological fatherhood. “For some men, many of whom have no options for treatment, this could be a game changer,” said Dr. Stephanie … Read more
For older adults, minor falls can pose major threats, as their risk of death after a fall has tripled in the U.S. over the last 30 years. Some experts believe that certain medications — a category called fall risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) — could be to blame. Dr. Thomas A. Farley, a Washington, D.C.–based public health expert, writes in … Read more
It was quite a red flag. Alla Feldbeyn was stunned by unexpected vaginal bleeding in November 2020, many years after she had gone through menopause. The Florida grandmother of four was diagnosed with Stage 1 endometrial cancer. The disease — which develops in the lining of the uterus — has become more common in the … Read more
This news might break your heart — literally. A shocking new study found that the go-to treatment doctors have been using to manage heart attacks for the last 40 years may offer no real benefit for many patients. Even more alarming, the research suggests that women who receive the drug may face a higher risk … Read more
These are not the joyful, helpful SMuRFs of your childhood. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and a smoking habit are what’s known as standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRFs) for cardiovascular disease (CVD). These four common behaviors increase the odds that you’ll have a heart attack or stroke. Yet a significant portion of cardiac events … Read more
K-pop artist PSY, best known for his international 2012 hit “Gangnam Style,” is under investigation for allegedly using proxies to illegally obtain prescription drugs in South Korea, according to authorities. PSY, legally named Park Jae-sang, allegedly had other people, including his manager, pick up prescriptions for Xanax and Stilnox from a university hospital on his … Read more
Welcome to Club Meds. More than 4 out of 10 senior citizens take five or more prescription medications — a phenomenon known as polypharmacy, research shows. This practice increases the risk of addiction and medication errors, like taking the wrong dosage or skipping doses altogether. Potential consequences include hospitalization, mental impairment and painful falls. Many … Read more
Needle-less to say, it’s effective! Eli Lilly’s experimental GLP-1 pill caused participants in a late-stage trial to shed an average of 10.5% of their body weight — nearly 23 pounds — over 16 months, according to data released Tuesday. The daily medication, known as orforglipron, has also been shown to reduce hemoglobin A1C —average blood … Read more
You’ve been itching to avoid this antibiotic — maybe for no reason. Penicillin was discovered in 1928 by a Scottish bacteriologist. The medication has since become a common treatment for a range of bacterial infections, including strep throat, pneumonia, skin infections and certain urinary tract infections. But not everyone can tolerate penicillin. People allergic to … Read more
There’s something fishy going on — and finally, a way to reel in one of the leading culprits. A female-founded health startup just unveiled a game-changing treatment for the most common vaginal issue women face during their reproductive years. But here’s the twist: it targets their male partners. “With this launch, we are empowering couples … Read more
Asthma sufferers, get pumped! Managing asthma often requires a two-pronged approach — long-term medicines to prevent attacks and rescue strategies to stop attacks when they happen. It’s important to avoid triggers and monitor breathing. New research out of the UK suggests that GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Victoza may provide long-term asthma relief — in … Read more
Blood suckers, beware. In a buzzy new study, researchers found that the controversial drug ivermectin could become a powerful new weapon against malaria. With mosquitos increasingly outsmarting traditional defenses, experts say the findings may mark a game-changing shift in the global fight against the deadly disease. Most people get malaria when bitten by an infective … Read more