Category: Pharmaceuticals
Two New Antivirals Targeting COVID-19
There are two new drugs on the horizon that actually work against COVID-19.
Courts should not order hospitals and physicians to administer ivermectin against their will
Courts in several states have ordered hospitals to administer ivermectin to COVID patients against the medical judgment of treating physicians. Patients have no legal right to a particular treatment and health care providers should not be forced to administer this drug.
Genetic Testing for Selection of Psychotropic Medications
GeneSight is a blood test to determine which neuropsychiatric medications are indicated for an individual based on genetic analysis. The test is expensive and not likely to be helpful for most patients.
Near-fatal blood infection following naturopathic IV vitamin infusion
A patient nearly died from a blood infection after a compounded naturopathic vitamin infusion. IV vitamin infusions are a common naturopathic therapy used without adequate medical rationale and are not worth the risks.
FDA’s Decision to Approve Aduhelm (aducanumab) for Alzheimer’s
Criticism of the FDA's decision to approve aducanumab for Alzheimer's disease.
No evidence, no problem: A closer look at the aducanumab approval
Why did the FDA approve aducanumab, a drug that hasn't been shown to work?
Eye Drops for Dry Eyes
I could have chosen a prescription eye drop for my dry eyes. I decided not to. Here's why.
A New Medication to Combat Obesity
New study in The New England Journal of Medicine finds impressive evidence that weekly semaglutide injections produce clinically significant weight loss as well as many other benefits, approaching the improvements seen with weight loss surgery. Not a definitive answer to obesity, but a very encouraging step in the right direction. Science works.
Evenity for Osteoporosis
Hip and wrist fractures are a common result of osteoporosis. A new drug, Evenity, reduces the risk of vertebral fractures, but it doesn't significantly reduce the risk of non-vertebral fractures. Other drugs do.
Statin Side Effects Revisited
Patients on statins frequently report muscle pain and other side effects, but controlled studies have shown side effects are not more frequent than with placebo. Why this discrepancy? A new study sheds some light.