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Implant Automatically Releases Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose

A new implant could help prevent overdose deaths by automatically administering the OD-reversing drug naloxone, a new study shows.

The implant, about the size of a stick of gum, is placed under the skin, where it monitors vital signs like heart rate and breathing, researchers say.

When the implant determines an OD has occurred, it rapidly pumps out a dose of naloxone, researchers sa...

Summer's Heat Can Damage Your Medicines: Keep Them Safe

As scorching temperatures continue to plague the United States this summer, millions of Americans are at risk for dehydration and heat-linked illness.

But what about their medications? Can rising temperatures render those useless and leave patients vulnerable?

Yes they can, so it's important to understand the effects of heat and humidity on certain drugs, said 

  • Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
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  • July 27, 2024
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    • Fake Botox Shots Land 13 Women in Hospital

    Seventeen women in nine states have fallen ill after getting fake Botox shots, with 13 of them landing in the hospital and one requiring a ventilator, a new report warns.

    In the report, published Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers provided alarming details of patien...

    People Sickened in 4 States After Eating Diamond Shruumz Microdosing Chocolate Bars

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning Americans to avoid Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing Chocolate Bars, after numerous people have been made sick after consuming them.

    Eight severe illnesses related to the edibles have been reported as of Friday in Arizona (four cases), Indiana (two cases), Nevada and Pennsylvania (one case each).

    "All eight people have reported seekin...

    Melatonin Gummies to Get Safety Labeling, Child-Safe Bottles After Poisonings

    In the wake of a sharp rise in the number of young children accidentally eating melatonin supplements, an industry group has called for tougher safety guidelines for packaging and labeling the sleep-aid supplements.

    Companies have 18 to 24 months to voluntarily add child-deterrent packaging and improve warning language on the labels of over-the-counter melatonin products, the Council...

    CDC Warns of 19 Cases of Botched Botox Shots in 9 States

    Counterfeit or mishandled Botox shots have triggered harmful reactions in 19 people in nine states, U.S. health officials warned Monday.

    In its alert, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said nine people had been hospitalized and four were treated with an antitoxin because of conce...

    Many Cancer Drugs Still Unproven 5 Years After Accelerated Approval

    New research questions the effectiveness of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's accelerated drug approval program after finding that many cancer drugs remain unproven five years later.

    The study, published Sunday in the Journal of the American Medical Association and presented simultaneously at the Americ...

    Carcinogen Benzene Can Form in Some Acne Treatments: Report

    Some acne treatments may may banish blemishes but carry hidden dangers: A new report reveals high levels of the carcinogen benzene can form in products that contain the zit-fighting ingredient benzoyl peroxide.

    According to the new report from the independent laboratory Valisure, be...

    Cyberattack Stalls Prescription Dispensing at UnitedHealth

    For nearly a week, prescription drug orders have been disrupted at thousands of pharmacies as the largest health insurer in the United States tries to fully restore services following a cyberattack.

    The security breach was first detected last Wednesday at Change Healthcare, a division of UnitedHealth Group, and two senior federal law enforcement officials told the New York Times...

    Seniors, FDA Has 5 Medication Tips to Keep You Safe

    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

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • February 19, 2024
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    • Novo Nordisk Settles Lawsuits Over Copycat Versions of Ozempic, Wegovy

    Novo Nordisk has settled lawsuits against two Florida businesses that claimed to sell copycat versions of its popular weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.

    The Danish drugmaker announced the settlements Friday, according to NBC News. 

    The move capped a legal battle that began in late November when the company filed 12 lawsuits against clinics, medical spas and compound...

    ADHD Drug Zenzedi Recalled Over Pill Mixup

    The maker of a drug used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy has recalled one lot of the medication after a pill mixup was discovered.

    The recall notice, issued by Azurity Pharmaceuticals Inc., states that one lot of Z...

    FDA Warns of Rare Secondary Cancer Risk With CAR-T Therapies

    WEDNESDAY, Jan. 24, 2024 (Healthday News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has told drugmakers to add a boxed warning to a type of cancer treatment called CAR-T therapy, saying the treatment itself may sometimes cause a secondary cancer.

    Still, FDA spokesperson Carly Kempler told NBC News

    FDA Review Supports Reclassifying Marijuana as Less Risky Drug

    Scientists from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration conclude in newly released documents that marijuana has less potential for abuse than other drugs with the same restrictions and it should be reclassified as a less dangerous drug.

    Not only that, the review found there is some evidence backing its use as a medical treatment.

    Right now, cannabis is classified as a

  • Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
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  • January 15, 2024
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    • FDA Finds No Link to Suicide With Drugs Like Wegovy, Ozempic

    Drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic, which have become a wildly popular way to lose weight or battle diabetes, show no link to suicidal thoughts or actions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.

    "Our preliminary evaluation has not found evidence that use of these medicines causes suicidal thoughts or actions,"an FDA

  • Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
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  • January 12, 2024
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    • Tejocote Supplements Sold Online at Amazon, Etsy May Contain Fatal Poison: FDA

    Tejocote weight-loss supplements sold through online through Amazon or Etsy could contain a highly toxic substance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning.

    FDA tests revealed that capsules labeled as tejocote instead contained yellow oleander, a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America.

    The FDA found yellow oleander in nine different products labeled as tejocot...

    FDA Warns Eyedrops From Major Brands May Cause Infection

    Federal regulators are warning consumers to stop using eyedrops and gels from several major brands after finding unsanitary conditions in a manufacturing plant.

    Twenty-six eye care products are part of the alert. Contaminated products have the potential to cause eye infection and blindness because drugs applied to the eye can bypass some of the body's defenses.

    Those concerning the ...

    Georgia To Be First State to Let Pharmacies Sell Low-Dose Cannabis

    Four years after the state of Georgia approved the distribution of low-dose THC, medical marijuana may be sold at local pharmacies.

    That will make Georgia the first U.S. state where pharmacies sell medical cannabis, CNN reported.

    By year's end, patients who meet a very narrow criteria for medical cannabis use under Georgia's law will be able to buy low-dose THC products at ...

    Diabetes Drug Maker Sues Over Compounded Versions of Mounjaro

    Another diabetes drug maker is taking legal action against businesses in several states, alleging that they're "fraudulently claiming"that their compounded products are the same as its medication.

    This time, it's Eli Lilly suing certain medical spas, wellness centers and compounding pharmacies over its medication Mounjaro.

    Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide and is ...

    Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Oxycontin Maker's Bankruptcy Deal

    A bankruptcy deal that would have shielded the family behind the company that makes Oxycontin from civil lawsuits was temporarily blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday.

    President Joe Biden had asked for a delay in approval of the nationwide settlement, which had been...

    After U.S. Warns of Counterfeit Pills Laced With Fentanyl, Mexico Shuts Down 23 Pharmacies

    Following a four-day raid, Mexico has closed 23 pharmacies in Caribbean resorts of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum for irregular pill sales.

    Last spring, the United States warned of dangerous pill sales to foreigners and tourists where counterfeit drugs contained fentanyl, her...

    Risk of Suicidal Thoughts With Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Being Investigated by European Regulators

    The European Medicines Agency is investigating concerns that popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Saxenda may be linked to suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self-harm.

    Three case reports from Iceland spurred the agency's safety committee to conduct a medication review, CNN reported Monday. The EMA is Europe's equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    The...

    FDA Approves New Nasal Spray to Reverse Overdoses

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved a second nasal spray for reversing an opioid overdose.

    To be sold as Opvee, the spray contains the medication nalmefene hydrochloride and will be available to Americans aged 12 and older with a prescription, the FDA said.

    "The agency continues to advance the FDA Overdose Prevention Framework and take actionable steps that enc...

    Apetamin: Using This Illegal Weight-Gain Product Can Bring Tragic Results

    U.S. regulators are urging Americans to avoid Apetamin, an illegal drug used for weight gain and figure enhancement.

    The substance, typically sold as a syrup, is manufactured overseas, illegally imported and isn't approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    It contains a potent antihistamine called cyproheptadine, which requires a physician's prescription in the United State...

    Lawmakers Want to Tighten Access to Veterinary Drug Xylazine, Often Mixed With Fentanyl

    Congressional leaders introduced a bill on Tuesday that would further restrict access to the veterinary drug xylazine, which is now being added to fentanyl powder.

    Also known as tranq, the drug is meant to be a sedative and muscle relaxer for horses and other large animals and is not approved for human use. But the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 29, 2023
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    • Drug Shortages Rose by 30% in 2022, U.S. Senate Report Shows

    Americans are facing shortages of drugs critical for cancer treatment, breathing problems and more -- shortages that increased nearly 30% between 2021 and 2022, a new report shows.

    The report, commissioned by the U.S. Senate and discussed during a Senate ...

    Following Infection Outbreak, Experts Offer Guidance on Safe Use of Eyedrops

    An outbreak of serious bacterial infections in 13 U.S. states linked to use of artificial tears has prompted experts to offer tips for keeping dry eyes safe.

    Five of the 58 people infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa had vision loss, and one person died, leading to the recall of EzriCare and Delsam Pharma artificial tears. Some of those sickened also reported lung and urinary tr...

    Home Drug Infusions Can Be Dangerous, But Many Home Care Staff Aren't Trained

    Intravenous (IV) lines are generally associated with medical centers -- picture a patient in a hospital bed, an IV drip-dropping needed fluids, nutrients and medicines into their arm.

    But millions now are receiving IV treatments at home, and a new study warns that not enough people are being p...

    Nearly 1 in 4 Hospital Patients Have Harmful Event During Their Stay

    Nearly one quarter of hospitalized people experience a harmful event during their stay, a new study finds.

    However, most of the bad outcomes are not preventable because they're related to known side effects from medications or risks of surgery. The findings were published Jan. 11 in the New England Journa...

    Want That Pill to Work Fast? Your Body Position Matters

    If you need to take a pill, you might want to take it lying down -- on your right side, that is.

    Researchers studying how body positioning affects the absorption of pills found that one taken when a person was lying on the right side speeded pills to the deepest part of the stomach. That pill could then dissolve 2.3 times faster than if the person was upright.

    "We were very surprise...

    Odds for Emergency Room Visits Rise With Pot Use

    Toking up increases your risk of landing in the hospital, a new study reports.

    Recreational marijuana use was associated with 22% greater odds of needing to visit an emergency room or be hospitalized, Canadian researchers found.

    The study showed physical injuries, lung ailments and ga...

    'Magic Mushroom' Therapy: Does It Interact With Other Medicines?

    Psilocybin, the psychedelic substance in "magic" mushrooms, is generating lots of interest as a potential treatment for a host of mental ills, but new research warns there is little data on how it might interact with more traditional psychiatric medications.

    "There's a major incongruence between the public enthusiasm and exuberance with psychedelic substances for mental health issues - an...

    Common Gout Drug Is Safe in Patients With Kidney Issues

    Allopurinol, a frequently used gout medication, does not appear to drive up the risk for dying among gout patients who also struggle with chronic kidney disease, new research shows.

    The finding is based on an analysis of two decades worth of British health records. And it may put to rest recent concerns regarding a well-known drug that both gout patients and kidney disease patients have u...

    Weed May Mess With Your Medicines, Causing Harm

    Many people turn to marijuana or cannabidiol to ease their achy joints and help them sleep, but a new study suggests that could wreak havoc with any other medications they're taking.

    Why? Because the body uses the same set of enzymes to process them all, scientists report.

    The chemicals in mari...

    'Magic Mushroom' Drug Edges Toward Mainstream Therapy

    Tony Head was depressed and fearing death from stage 4 prostate cancer when, as part of a supervised scientific trial, he took a large dose of the psychedelic agent in "magic mushrooms," psilocybin.

    Head donned a mask and headphones to shut out the world around him, and had an experience that changed the course of his life.

    "At some point in that time I felt like a higher power or s...

    Many Psychiatric Patients Are Getting Risky Drug Gabapentin 'Off-Label'

    Most prescriptions for the medication gabapentin are for unapproved uses -- and many patients end up taking it along with drugs that create potentially dangerous interactions.

    That's the conclusion of a new study that looked at "off-label" use of gabapentin. In the United States, the drug is officially approved for treating certain seizures and some forms of nerve pain.

    It's known, ...

    Confusion, Seizures: People Hospitalized After Taking Veterinary Drug for COVID

    It's a drug that's been supported by some conservative media figures, but taking ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19 might land you in the hospital, a new study warns.

    Interest in the drug surged last summer as the highly contagious Delta variant took over the United States. But instead of protecting against the virus, the use of a medicine typically reserved for horses and cattle has...

    Pfizer Recalls All Lots of Anti-Smoking Drug Chantix Due to Potential Carcinogen

    Pfizer is expanding the recall of its anti-smoking drug Chantix (varenicline), the company announced Friday.

    The nationwide recall of all Chantix 0.5 mg and 1 mg tablets was prompted because they may contain levels of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline, that are at or above levels approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    Long-term ingestion of N-nitroso-varenicline may b...

    Ketamine Appears Safe as Therapy for Tough-to-Treat Depression

    The anesthesia drug ketamine and a related medicine called esketamine appear to be safe for tough-to-treat depression, researchers report.

    A number of studies have suggested that low doses of ketamine, which is also abused as a club drug under monikers that include "K" and "Special K," provide rapid antidepressant effects, typically improving mood within 24 hours to seven days.

    Simi...