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Health News Results - 329
FDA Panel Advisor Who Panned New Alzheimer's Drug Speaks Out
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- July 28, 2021
- Full Page
An outside advisor to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's review of the controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm is now speaking out, arguing that the approval was based on dodgy science and involved questionable collaboration between regulators and the drug's maker.
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High Blood Pressure: Which Drug Works Best for You?
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- July 27, 2021
- Full Page
Two long used types of blood pressure drugs are equally effective, but the less popular one seems to have fewer side effects, according to a large "real-world" study.
The two classes of medication are both recommended as "first-line" treatments for high blood pressure: a...
Kids Still Dying From Accidental Exposure to Fentanyl Pain Patches
- Robert Preidt
- July 26, 2021
- Full Page
Accidental exposure to fentanyl pain patches is putting children's lives at risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid pain reliever; so powerful that fentanyl patches are typically only prescribed to patients who require round-the-c...
Doctors Divided Over Use of Controversial New Alzheimer's Drug
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- July 23, 2021
- Full Page
The controversial new Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm is creating something of a civil war in medicine, as health networks, hospitals, insurers and individual doctors weigh impending discussions with patients about whether they should take the medication.
Many doctors believe t...
Drug Shows Promise in Easing Dementia-Linked Psychosis
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- July 23, 2021
- Full Page
FRIDAY, July 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- A drug that eases hallucinations in people with Parkinson's disease may be able to do the same for those with dementia, a new clinical trial finds.
The medication, called Nuplazid (pimavanserin), is already app...
Prescriptions for U.S. Kids Declined During Pandemic
- Robert Preidt
- July 20, 2021
- Full Page
Prescriptions for U.S. children fell by about one-quarter during the COVID-19 pandemic, with prescriptions for antibiotics alone plunging by more than 50%, a new study finds.
The findings are a "national picture of prescription drug dispensing to children before and duri...
No Evidence Muscle Relaxants Can Ease Low Back Pain
- Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
- July 9, 2021
- Full Page
FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Although tens of millions of Americans turn to muscle relaxants for lower back pain relief, a new Australian review finds little evidence that such drugs actually work.
That's the conclusion of a deep-dive into ...
New Prescribing Instructions Tighten Use of Controversial Alzheimer's Drug
- Robert Preidt
- July 8, 2021
- Full Page
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday issued new prescribing rules for the controversial Alzheimer's medication Aduhelm that will likely limit its use.
When first approved a month ago, the FDA said Biogen's monthly IV drug was for all Alzheimer's patients. Th...
Is Medicare Overspending? Costco Prices Much Less for Generic Drugs
- Robert Preidt
- July 7, 2021
- Full Page
Can Costco beat Medicare Part D when it comes to prescription drug prices?
Apparently so, claims a new study that found that roughly half of generic medications were cheaper when purchased from the discount retailer than from the government program.
The researcher...
Walmart to Offer Low-Priced Insulin
- Robert Preidt
- June 29, 2021
- Full Page
TUESDAY, June 29, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Walmart said Tuesday that it will start selling its own private brand of insulin at much lower prices than competing products.
Insulin prices have skyrocketed in recent years, making it unaffordable for some Ame...
Which Blood Sugar Meds Work Best Against Type 2 Diabetes?
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
- June 29, 2021
- Full Page
You have type 2 diabetes, and you are already taking an old standby drug, metformin. But you still need help controlling your blood sugar levels. Which medication would be the best?
New research pitted several diabetes drugs against each other and came up with an answer:...
Can Your Blood Pressure Medicine Protect Your Memory?
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- June 21, 2021
- Full Page
Older adults who use certain blood pressure drugs may retain more of their memory skills as they age, a new study suggests.
Researchers found the benefit among older people taking medications that are allowed past the "blood-brain barrier," which is a border of specializ...
What Works Best to Ease Migraines?
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- June 16, 2021
- Full Page
A new research review offers good news for migraine sufferers: There are more pain-relieving options than ever.
In an analysis of over 100 published studies, researchers found that several drug classes showed good evidence they ease the pain of a migraine-in-progress.
Could a Type of Statin Raise Dementia Risks?
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- June 15, 2021
- Full Page
Certain cholesterol-lowering drugs might speed dementia in some older adults whose memories are starting to fail, a small, preliminary study suggests.
The researchers found that of 300 older adults with mildly impaired thinking and memory, those using "lipophilic" statin...
Odds for Death, Hospital Care Rise When Statins Are Stopped
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
- June 14, 2021
- Full Page
Living longer often means living with multiple health problems and numerous medications to manage them. Understandably, many doctors and their patients wonder if any of these drugs can be discontinued safely.
A new study from Italy suggests statins should not be culled f...
ADHD Meds May Help Keep Some Kids From Thoughts of Suicide
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- June 8, 2021
- Full Page
ADHD medications might help lessen the risk of suicide in children with serious behavioral issues, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that medications like Ritalin and Adderall, commonly prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), were linked to ...
FDA Defends Approval of Controversial Alzheimer's Drug
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- June 7, 2021
- Full Page
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first new drug to treat Alzheimer's disease in nearly two decades, in a controversial decision that left the agency defending its reputation and its science.
Aduhelm (aducanumab) treats Alzheimer's by clearing out am...
'Historic' Decision Expected on U.S. Approval of Alzheimer's Drug
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- June 7, 2021
- Full Page
The first drug ever shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease could be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday, but experts say that approval will be surrounded by controversy.
In clinical trials, aducanumab showed a 22% reduction in the de...
Drug Lynparza Could Help Fight Some Early-Stage Breast Cancers
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- June 4, 2021
- Full Page
A twice-daily pill can dramatically reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence in women who are genetically prone to the disease, researchers report.
The pill - olaparib (Lynparza) - works by blocking a natural enzyme called PARP that normally fixes DNA damage in health...
There's Been a Shift in Who's Funding Alzheimer's Research
- Robert Preidt
- May 27, 2021
- Full Page
The U.S. government and nonprofits are replacing drug companies as the main drivers of Alzheimer's disease research, two new studies show.
The findings are from an analysis of national data by Jeffrey Cummings, a research professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas ...
During Pandemic, Fewer Using Drug That Fights Opioid Overdose
- Robert Preidt
- May 20, 2021
- Full Page
Use of the opioid overdose reversing medication naloxone has declined in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found.
The study authors said their findings suggest that people with opioid misuse disorders may be facing a dangerous decrease in access...
6 Reasons Bipolar Patients Don't Take Their Meds
- Cara Murez
- May 19, 2021
- Full Page
Not taking prescribed medications can lead to relapse, hospitalization and increased risk of suicide for people with bipolar disorder, yet many who have this condition do not take their medicines as prescribed.
A new study examines why this happens, finding six key facto...
Medication Errors in Pets: How to Lower the Risk
- Cara Murez
- May 17, 2021
- Full Page
You want to keep Fido or Fluffy safe, so when they need medication, it's important to ask questions and guard against dosing errors, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
"A number of the medication errors that occur in the treatment of people are the same as those...
New Drug Shows Promise Against Tough-to-Manage Asthma
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- May 13, 2021
- Full Page
An experimental injectable drug appears more versatile than existing medications in treating people with different forms of severe, hard-to-control asthma, clinical trial results show.
There are many different types of asthma brought on by many different triggers, and a ...
Do Prescription Sleep Medicines Even Work?
- Serena McNiff HealthDay Reporter
- May 12, 2021
- Full Page
An estimated 9 million Americans turn to prescription pills when they can't sleep, but a new study of middle-aged women finds taking the drugs for a year or longer may do little good.
Comparing a group of about 200 women who were medicated for sleep problems with over 40...
Any COVID-19 Infection Raises Odds for Lingering Symptoms, Study Finds
- Steven Reinberg
- May 11, 2021
- Full Page
Serious cases of "long-haul COVID-19" are rare in patients who were not hospitalized after their infection, but these patients still report more doctor or health care visits after recovery,. Danish researchers report.
The new six-month study found that COVID patients who...
Are You Taking a Med That's Raising Your Blood Pressure?
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- May 7, 2021
- Full Page
Nearly one in five Americans with high blood pressure use medications that can cause blood pressure to spike, a preliminary study shows.
The researchers said the findings are concerning, given how many people have difficulty controlling their high blood pressure.
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When Drug Companies Raise Prices, Patients' Out-of-Pocket Costs Rise
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- May 6, 2021
- Full Page
When prescription drug "list" prices go up, patients often take a hit in the wallet, a new study shows.
Researchers found that while some people are buffered against drug price hikes by their health insurance plan, many are not.
Those in plans that require co-insur...
Drug Saxenda Aids Weight Loss -- But You Should Exercise, Too
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- May 6, 2021
- Full Page
The weight-loss drug Saxenda can keep extra pounds off -- but combining it with exercise brings a bigger payoff, a new clinical trial finds.
The study found that some longstanding advice is valid: Prescription weight-loss drugs work best when used along with -- and not i...
ADHD Meds Can Help Preschoolers, But Effects Vary
- Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
- May 5, 2021
- Full Page
Parents of preschoolers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be advised to give their child medication to help them concentrate, sit still and/or control impulsive behaviors.
A new study comparing two classes of medications might help them arrive at a...
1 in 3 Neighborhoods in Major U.S. Cities Is a 'Pharmacy Desert'
- Robert Preidt
- May 4, 2021
- Full Page
One-third of neighborhoods in the 30 largest U.S. cities are "pharmacy deserts," and this is much more common in Black and Hispanic communities, a new study finds.
What's a 'pharmacy desert'? In general, in a neighborhood where most residents have cars, the study labele...
Could High-Dose Fish Oil Raise Odds for A-Fib in Heart Patients?
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- May 3, 2021
- Full Page
Many people take fish oil to protect their heart, but a new study suggests that prescription versions may raise the risk of a common heart rhythm disorder.
At issue are prescription-strength omega-3 fatty acids, which are naturally found in fish oil. The med...
Opioids After Dental Work May Be Dangerous
- Robert Preidt
- May 3, 2021
- Full Page
Getting a prescription for an opioid painkiller from your dentist could put you or your family at risk for an overdose, a new study warns.
The finding is based on an analysis of data from 8.5 million Americans who had teeth pulled or 119 other types of dental work betwee...
1 in 5 U.S. Pharmacies Blocks Access to Key Opioid Addiction Treatment
- Robert Preidt
- April 28, 2021
- Full Page
The Biden administration has eased guidelines for prescribing a crucial addiction treatment drug, just as a new study reveals one in five U.S. pharmacies refuses to dispense the medication, called buprenorphine.
"Buprenorphine is a vital, lifesaving medication for people...
New Drug May Be Better Psoriasis Treatment
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- April 26, 2021
- Full Page
A breakthrough psoriasis drug is better at treating the itchy and painful skin disease than medicines already on the market, according to results from two clinical trials.
There was a "night and day difference" in the results from bimekizumab compared against two establi...
Two Is Not Better Than One When It Comes to Blood Thinners
- Robert Preidt and Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporters
- April 22, 2021
- Full Page
It may not be a good idea to take a daily low-dose aspirin if you're also taking a widely used class of blood thinners called direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), researchers caution.
DOACs include drugs such as Eliquis (apixaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran), Lixiana (edoxaban)...
Common MS Meds Might Be Less Effective in Black Patients
- Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
- April 19, 2021
- Full Page
Black people experience more severe courses of multiple sclerosis (MS), and now new research suggests that drugs commonly used to treat this disease may not work as well or for as long in these folks.
"I was amazed," said study researcher Dr. Gregg Silverman, a professor...
'Magic Mushroom' Hallucinogen as Good as Antidepressants: Study
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- April 15, 2021
- Full Page
The magic ingredient in "magic mushrooms" may be at least as effective as standard medication for depression, an early clinical trial suggests.
The study of 59 patients with major depression tested the antidepressant escitalopram (Lexapro) against psilocybin, which is th...
CBD or THC? Cannabis Product Labels Often Mislead, Study Finds
- Steven Reinberg
- April 13, 2021
- Full Page
Patients, beware: You might not be able to trust the label on that medical marijuana product you just brought home.
Levels of the two active ingredients in medicinal cannabis -- THC and CBD -- can vary widely from those claimed by distributors, a new study warns.
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Could Widely Used Blood Pressure Meds Raise Skin Cancer Risk?
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- April 12, 2021
- Full Page
Most people are familiar with common sun-protection advice, from wearing and reapplying sunscreen to putting on a hat.
But a new Canadian study finds that for people who take certain blood pressure medications, that advice becomes even more critical because those drugs c...
FDA Approves First New Children's ADHD Drug in 10 Years
- Robin Foster
- April 6, 2021
- Full Page
The first new drug developed in over a decade for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Qelbree, also known as viloxazine, comes in a capsule that is taken daily, and is not a stimulant. ...
Some Blood Pressure Meds Raise Heart Risks in People With HIV
- Robert Preidt
- April 6, 2021
- Full Page
Beta-blocker blood pressure medications may increase the risk of heart problems in people with HIV, new research suggests.
For the study, the researchers reviewed the medical records of more than 8,000 U.S. veterans with HIV who developed high blood pressure between 2000...
When Pot Use Starts in Teens, Drug Addiction More Likely: Study
- Robert Preidt
- March 30, 2021
- Full Page
Teens who try marijuana or other drugs are at greater risk of developing a drug addiction than those who wait a few years before experimenting with drugs, a new study finds.
"Though not everyone who uses a drug will develop addiction, adolescents may develop addiction to...
Most Post-Surgical Opioids Go Unused: Study
- Robert Preidt
- March 26, 2021
- Full Page
Using cellphones to track patients' painkiller use, a new study found more than 60% of opioid painkillers prescribed to surgical patients after their procedures went unused.
That has implications for the ongoing epidemic of opioid misuse in the United States, where unuse...
Nearly All Seniors Take Meds That Raise Their Odds of Falling
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- March 23, 2021
- Full Page
Among older Americans, deaths from falls are up sharply, dovetailing with a surge in use of medications that increase the risk of falling, researchers say.
Two decades ago, about 57% of U.S. seniors took medications that increased their risk of falls. By 2017, that numbe...
Could Viagra Help Men With Heart Disease Live Longer?
- Ernie Mundell and Cara Murez HealthDay Reporters
- March 23, 2021
- Full Page
Those little blue pills were designed to help men experiencing impotence. But Viagra and drugs like it might also lower the risk of dying or experiencing a new heart attack in men with heart disease, according to new Swedish research.
"Potency problems are common in old...
Coming Soon: Once-a-Week Insulin Injections?
- Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
- March 22, 2021
- Full Page
Daily insulin jabs can be the bane of existence for people who live with type 2 diabetes, but an investigational once-weekly insulin shot may be a game changer for these folks.
While the research is still in its early stages, the new drug called basal insulin Fc (BIF) is...
1 in 3 Older Thyroid Patients Takes a Med That Can Interfere With Tests
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
- March 18, 2021
- Full Page
Nearly one-third of seniors who take thyroid hormone also take drugs known to interfere with tests of thyroid function, a new study finds.
It's common for older adults to take a thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) to treat low levels of natural thyroid hormone. But tests use...
Alzheimer's Patients Are Being Given Too Many Meds
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- March 10, 2021
- Full Page
Many older adults with dementia are prescribed dangerous combinations of drugs that raise their risk of overdose, falls and further mental deterioration, a new study finds.
About 1 in 7 people with dementia living outside of nursing homes are taking three or more dr...
Don't Use Veterinary Drug Ivermectin Against COVID, FDA Warns
- Robert Preidt
- March 9, 2021
- Full Page
Desperate for a treatment against COVID-19, some Americans have reached for an anti-parasitic drug aimed at animals, with serious consequences, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
"Never use medications intended for animals on yourself. Ivermectin preparations f...