All articles tagged with #medication safety
The FDA has announced a Class II recall of 13,567 bottles of chlorthalidone 25mg tablets nationwide after the medication failed dissolution tests. This is the second recall for this specific drug and manufacturer in three months, affecting patients who rely on the medication for hypertension and fluid retention.
Ontario researchers analyzing more than 2.2 million adults aged 66+ found that 24 of 65 potentially inappropriate prescribing cascades (PIPCs) have high prevalence, incidence, and temporal linkage. Common patterns include NSAIDs raising blood pressure and prompting antihypertensives, iron-with-laxatives, statins-with-pain relievers, and cholinesterase inhibitors-with-sleep meds, with strongest timing links for corticosteroids→antipsychotics, laxatives→antidiarrheals, and cholinesterase inhibitors→antiemetics. The study suggests clinician/pharmacist alerts and better documentation to prevent cascades, while noting that temporal associations do not prove causation and patient context matters through shared decision‑making.
The UK MHRA advises older adults to limit how many anticholinergic medicines they take and use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time after a safety review found a small, uncertain link between bladder anticholinergics and dementia. While evidence does not prove causation, prolonged exposure and use of multiple anticholinergics may raise cognitive risks, so clinicians should minimize exposure. Bladder antimuscarinics are commonly used for overactive bladder, a condition frequently seen in dementia, and memory- or confusion-related side effects are noted, prompting a cautious approach to long-term use.
Nine everyday factors beyond alcohol can silently stress the liver, per Dr. Pramod Kumar D A: refined fructose in drinks and packaged foods that can contribute to MASLD (formerly NAFLD); risk from mixing acetaminophen-containing medicines; herbal supplements can still harm the liver; chronic sleep deprivation disrupts the liver’s circadian rhythm; excessive vitamin A from supplements; exposure to household chemicals; secondhand smoke; hidden trans fats in processed foods; and dehydration. Practical steps include reading labels, avoiding unnecessary supplements, choosing water over sugary drinks, maintaining a consistent 7–9 hour sleep schedule, ventilating spaces during cleaning or painting, staying hydrated, and keeping a healthy weight through activity.
A BuzzFeed Health feature compiles doctors’ insights on everyday health oversights, stressing the importance of preventive screenings (like colorectal and breast cancer tests), recognizing abnormal symptoms (weight changes, lumps, chest pain), discussing medications and supplements openly, maintaining dental care from childhood, and seeking timely medical advice rather than delaying care—emphasizing proactive, informed patient action for better outcomes.
Three Connecticut children died from apparent diphenhydramine overdoses, prompting state officials to warn parents about safe medication storage and the risks of misuse tied to the online 'Benadryl challenge'; health agencies are coordinating prevention efforts and stressing mental-health resources, while the drug maker urged an end to dangerous trends.
A Northwestern University study of 942 primary-care patients found about one-third struggle with understanding prescription instructions and recalling diagnosis details after a visit. Nuanced labeling and brief appointments contribute to misreads, highlighting a need for the health system to improve communication; practical tips for patients include asking questions, keeping a current medication list, and confirming dosing details with both doctors and pharmacists.
A pharmacist argues that a popular children’s cough syrup is more marketing than medicine: it’s a multi-ingredient product that risks double-dosing and includes an ineffective phenylephrine dose, a sedating antihistamine, and dextromethorphan with weak pediatric evidence, plus dyes and sorbitol. He recommends single-ingredient, age-appropriate options, precise dosing in mL with a syringe, and non-drug measures like humidifiers, saline, fluids, and honey for kids over 1. He also shares practical steps for talking with doctors/pharmacists and reminds caregivers to avoid codeine or tramadol and to seek urgent care for warning signs, emphasizing that the right treatment for kids is safe, targeted care rather than the strongest medicine.
A large, nearly 20-year study of 650,000+ US adults with IBS linked long-term antidepressant use to about a 35% higher risk of death and showed the anti-diarrheal drugs loperamide and diphenoxylate associated with roughly double the risk, though the study notes it shows association, not causation, and the overall individual risk remains low; findings prompt personalized treatment and more long-term safety research.
The FDA is taking its first step toward possibly allowing seven peptides that are currently restricted due to safety concerns, with an advisory panel to discuss their use for various conditions. Kennedy Jr. backs broader access, but experts caution that more study is needed to ensure safety, noting past FDA warnings about peptides like BPC-157.
Shares of Kenvue, maker of Tylenol, dropped after reports suggested US Health Secretary RFK Jr might link Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, though the company and health authorities maintain there is no causal link and the science remains inconclusive.
Recent research indicates that beta-blockers may not only be ineffective but potentially harmful for women with certain heart conditions, especially those with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and on higher doses, highlighting the need for sex-specific treatment considerations.
Foods can significantly interfere with medications, either enhancing or inhibiting their effects, as seen with grapefruit, cranberry juice, and herbs like turmeric. While some interactions pose risks of toxicity or reduced efficacy, researchers are exploring ways to harness these effects to improve treatment outcomes, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual food-drug interactions for safer and more effective therapies.
Dr. Vinay Prasad, who was ousted from the FDA after criticism and controversy, has been rehired to lead the agency's biologics division, highlighting political influence and ongoing debates over drug and vaccine approval processes.
A recent study suggests that the common diabetes medication glipizide may be associated with an increased risk of heart-related events compared to newer drugs like DPP-4 inhibitors, raising concerns about its safety despite its affordability and long-standing use.