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May 2024
In May 2023, the FDA approved fezolinetant (VEOZAH) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe hot flashes (vasomotor symptoms) due to menopause. Unlike hormone therapy, the drug was approved only for the treatment of hot flashes, not for any of the other symptoms of menopause. Learn why Public Citizen’s Health Research Group has designated fezolinetant as a Do Not Use drug.
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May 2024
The “From the Editor” column discusses the withdrawal of the controversial Alzheimer’s disease drug aducanumab (ADUHELM) from the U.S. market and recent developments with the related drug lecanemab (LEQMBI), which the FDA approved in 2023. Public Citizen’s Health Research Group has designated lecanemab as a Do Not Use drug. Lecanemab has brain-swelling and bleeding risks and neither cures nor reverses Alzheimer’s disease.
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May 2024
Learn about nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (PAXLOVID), an FDA-approved treatment for acute COVID-19 infection. The drug has potential benefits in preventing serious COVID-19 infections in patients with heightened risk, particularly if they are treated early in the course of their infection and if the risk of potentially dangerous drug interactions can be appropriately managed. When the potential benefits are small, such as for people at low risk of disease progression, nirmatrelvir and ritonavir should not be used.
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May 2024
This article discusses ways to save money on prescription drugs without compromising on quality. The approaches discussed include using generic drugs, choosing an affordable formulation, comparing prices and reaching out to discount programs and drug assistance programs.
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May 2024
Learn about a recent study that found that major drug interactions are common among outpatient children with Medicaid insurance and that these interactions often involve drugs that are routinely prescribed for children with common chronic health conditions.
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April 2024
Apixaban (ELIQUIS and generics) is a type of blood thinner known as a direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC). Public Citizen’s Health Research Group has previously classified all DOACs as Do Not Use drugs. Based on more recent evidence, we have reassessed the risk-benefit balance of apixaban and have changed our designation of this drug to Limited Use.
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April 2024
The asthma and allergy drug montelukast (SINGULAIR and generics) has limited benefits and unique risks, such as neuropsychiatric adverse events. Nonetheless, each year more than 12 million people in the United States fill at least one prescription for the drug. This month’s From the Editor column discusses the challenges of communicating the safety concerns about montelukast to clinicians and patients and reducing use of the drug.
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April 2024
Inhaled corticosteroids, a standard treatment for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, have been suggested to treat COVID-19 because they have anti-inflammatory effects on the lungs. However, a recent randomized trial found that these medications are not effective in shortening the time to recovery from COVID-19.
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April 2024
Learn about a recent clinical trial, conducted in Australia, that adds to the evidence from prior research that opioids are no better than placebo and some nonprescription medications (such as ibuprofen) for acute nonspecific musculoskeletal pain.
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April 2024
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April 2024
Learn about a recent study that found that the common antidepressants escitalopram (LEXAPRO and generics) and citalopram (CELEXA and generics) may increase the risk of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) in older adults taking the recommended dose. The drugs belong to a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
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March 2024
Mental health conditions that result in suicide or death from overdose or poisoning are the leading causes of preventable postpartum deaths. In 2023, the FDA approved zuranolone (ZURZUVAE), an oral medication for postpartum depression. Learn why Public Citizen’s Health Research Group has classified zuranolone as Do Not Use for Seven Years.
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March 2024
Dr. Sidney M. Wolfe, the cofounder of the Health Research Group and an iconic and inspirational champion of public health, died on January 1, 2024, at age 86. In his monthly column, Dr. Robert Steinbrook, the current Health Research Group director, reflects on Sid’s legacy and his vision, passion, and integrity.
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March 2024
In December 2023, Public Citizen’s Health Research Group petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to promptly strengthen the safety warning on the labeling of BOTOX and related drugs. Learn about the petition and our concerns about the risk of iatrogenic botulism, a muscle-paralyzing disease, and related symptoms.
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March 2024
Metformin is a recommended first-line treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes who are not able to control their blood sugar through diet and exercise alone. Metformin, however, has important drug interactions and can cause a serious condition called lactic acidosis, a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. Learn about metformin’s drug interactions.
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March 2024
In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two cell-based gene therapies for the treatment of sickle cell disease. One of these treatments is the first FDA-approved treatment using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology. Although cell-based gene therapies for sickle cell disease are promising, they are new, and their long-term effectiveness and safety are not known.