Recent Postings

Patients taking the widely prescribed hypothyroidism drug levothyroxine should be aware that it has clinically important interactions with many other prescription and over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements and even certain foods.

In his editor’s column, Dr. Carome discusses the disturbing findings of a scathing report issued by two U.S. House of Representatives committees about the inappropriately close collaboration between drugmaker Biogen and the FDA during the analysis of data from the key clinical trials of the Alzheimer’s disease drug aducanumab (ADUHELM).

A recent study showed that, compared with other diabetes drugs, gliptins (or dipeptidyl peptidase 4 [DPP-4] inhibitors) put patients at a higher relative risk of a range of gallbladder or biliary diseases, such as gallstones (cholelithiasis) and gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis).

Learn about the numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications that can cause or exacerbate insomnia.

A recently published study provided evidence that lithium treatment in persons with bipolar disorder may decrease the risk of osteoporosis.

Data from a large, randomized clinical trial revealed that daily vitamin D supplementation does not lower the risk of new fractures in generally healthy community-dwelling people.

In his editor’s column, Dr. Carome discusses the implications of new research documenting the extent of insulin rationing by diabetes patients in the United States due to Big Pharma’s relentless price gouging.

Learn about a new study showing that patients taking rosuvastatin (CRESTOR, EZALLOR SPRINKLE) had a higher risk of proteinuria (abnormal levels of protein in the urine) and hematuria (blood in the urine) than those taking another statin, atorvastatin (LIPITOR).

Patients taking the frequently prescribed antidepressant nortriptyline (PAMELOR) should be aware that it has clinically important and potentially dangerous interactions with many other prescription and over-the-counter medications.

A recently published study confirmed that tofacitinib (XELJANZ, XELJANZ ER) increases the risk of severe and other infections compared to treatment with the tumor necrosis factor blocker drugs that demonstrate similar effectiveness for treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Given the risks associated with Entresto, Public Citizen’s Health Research Group has classified it as Limited Use, to be used only in adults with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

In his editor’s column, Dr. Carome explains how the FDA’s reliance on user fees from prescription drug manufacturers has resulted in corporate capture of the agency.

Learn about new research showing that increased rates of overdose and mental health crises persist during the second year after initiation of opioid tapering among patients taking stable, long-term, high-dose prescriptions of these medications.

Patients taking the drug sotalol (BETAPACE, BETAPACE AF, SORINE, SOTYLIZE) should be aware that it has clinically important and potentially dangerous interactions with many other prescription medications.

Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Find out which patients with this condition can benefit from a combination of specific dietary supplements known as AREDS2.