Recent Postings

New research reveals that routine supplementation with high-dose vitamin D in older adults who are not vitamin D deficient is unlikely to reduce either overall mortality or cardiovascular mortality.

In his editor’s column, Dr. Carome discusses results of a recently published study that revealed a stunning drop over the past decade in the proportion of new drugs approved by the FDA each year that were referred to an advisory committee.

Patients taking the oral combination antiviral drug PAXLOVID (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir), which is used to treat COVID-19, should be aware that it has clinically important and potentially dangerous interactions with many other prescription medications.

A recent clinical trial indicates that many persons with obsessive-compulsive disorder who respond favorably to joint behavioral and drug treatment may then safely taper their medication use very slowly to elimination, though careful follow-up clinical monitoring is still essential.

Learn about the results of a new clinical trial funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs that compared the safety and effectiveness of allopurinol and feboxostat for treatment of gout.

Medications are a leading cause of sexual dysfunction in women. Knowing which drugs prescribed or recommended by your doctor can cause sexual dysfunction will allow you to take steps to prevent or minimize this common, often troubling adverse drug effect.

Americans clearly are fed up with the relentless price-gouging practices of the pharmaceutical industry and want Congress to finally pass legislation that would comprehensively reform drug pricing in the U.S. Patients cannot afford any further inaction by Congress on this issue.

In January 2022, the FDA warned that dental problems have been reported in patients using buprenorphine-containing tablets and films that are taken by dissolving them in the mouth. These problems have included tooth decay, cavities, oral infections and loss of teeth.

Findings from a new retrospective, real-world observational study that assessed switching among the most common generic levothyroxine products made by different manufacturers in the U.S. suggest that switching among these products is unlikely to have a substantial impact on treatment effects.

Many studies have suggested that breast cancer risk, via prolactin elevation, is increased by antipsychotic medications, but the results were mixed and warranted further, more rigorous investigation. A recent, large observational study has added stronger evidence that certain antipsychotic medications increase breast cancer risk.

In this month’s news brief, we discuss recent warning letters issued by the FDA to 12 companies for selling illegal over-the-counter drug products intended for skin lightening. The FDA noted that such products can cause serious adverse effects, including permanent discoloration of the skin.

Public Citizen’s Health Research Group recommends that triptans only be used to treat migraine headaches after determining that acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs fail to work or cannot be taken due to allergies or other medical reasons.

In his editor’s column, Dr. Michael Carome explains why Medicare officials’ April decision to restrict coverage for aducanumab to patients enrolled in clinical trials is a win for patients, Medicare beneficiaries, the American taxpayer and evidence-based medicine.

Patients taking the drug quinidine should be aware that it has clinically important and potentially dangerous interactions with many other prescription medications.

Learn about several drugs that can promote the formation of gallstones — stones in the gallbladder (a condition known as cholelithiasis) — and what you can do about it.

Recently published research revealed that combination therapy with varenicline (CHANTIX) and a nicotine patch (HABITROL, NICODERM CQ) is no better than varenicline alone as a method to quit smoking.