Recent Postings

The FDA recently approved lecanemab (LEQEMBI) for patients with mild cognitive impairment and in the mild dementia stages of the disease. Learn why Public Citizen’s Health Research Group has classified lecanemab as a Do Not Use drug.

In 2010, the FDA proposed a rule about the disclosure of risk information in television and radio direct-to-consumer advertisements of prescription drugs. Thirteen years later, and if the Office of Management and Budget allows the regulation to be finalized, the presentation of risk information about drugs advertised directly to consumers should improve.

In 2022, the FDA approved tirzepatide (MOUNJARO) as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Learn about the evidence for the use of tirzepatide for diabetes and chronic weight management. As of mid-September 2023, the FDA had not approved tirzepatide for chronic weight management.

Brexpiprazole (REXULTI) is an atypical antipsychotic drug that the FDA initially approved as an adjunctive treatment to antidepressants for major depressive disorder. In 2023, the FDA extended the indications to include the treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Learn why Public Citizen’s Health Research Group has classified brexpiprazole as a Do Not Use drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease-associated dementia.

In 2022, the FDA approved tirzepatide (MOUNJARO) as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Learn about the evidence for the use of tirzepatide for diabetes and chronic weight management. As of mid-September 2023, the FDA had not approved tirzepatide for chronic weight management.

A recent large adequately powered randomized clinical trial that directly compared furosemide and torsemide found that both drugs are equally effective in improving the survival of patients with heart failure.

A review study, published earlier in 2023 in <em>The BMJ</em>, found limited evidence of low or moderate quality supporting the effectiveness of antidepressants for several conditions associated with chronic pain, including fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain and chronic tension headache.

<em>Worst Pills, Best Pills News</em> often highlights expensive drugs that have limited benefits and significant health risks. At the same time, some inexpensive and highly effective drugs are in such short supply that they are being rationed. The “From the Editor” column discusses the persistent problem of drug shortages in the United States.

Patients taking the oral antidepressant drug desipramine (Norpramin) should be aware that it has clinically important interactions with many other prescription medications. Public Citizen’s Health Research Group has designated desipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, as a <strong>Limited Use</strong> drug; antidepressants in other drug classes are safer and better tolerated.

Thiazide diuretics often are prescribed to prevent recurrent kidney stones. However, a recent randomized, controlled trial found that hydrochlorothiazide was no better than placebo at preventing the recurrence of kidney stones.

Learn about sofosbuvir, a highly effective antiviral medication that is used for chronic hepatitis C infection, alone or in combination with other antivirals.

Semaglutide, an injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, is having its moment as a drug for weight loss. Learn about the substantial risks of semaglutide, including weight regain if the medication is stopped.

The FDA has approved the antipsychotic medication brexpiprazole for agitation symptoms associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Learn why Public Citizen’s Health Research Group urged the agency to reject the supplemental indication and why we believe that the drug’s small benefits do not outweigh its substantial risks.

Patients taking the stomach-acid–suppressing drug cimetidine, which is available over the counter as a generic, should be aware of its clinically important interactions with many other prescription medications.

The organic compounds known as nitrosamines are found in very low amounts in water and some foods; they may be carcinogenic to humans with exposure to high levels over a prolonged period. This article provides an update on oral prescription drugs recalled due to nitrosamine concentration.

A recent clinical trial comparing chlorthalidone with hydrochlorothiazide found no difference between the two drugs in their effectiveness for preventing major cardiovascular events.

In the article “Mindfulness as an Alternative to the Antidepressant Medication Escitalopram for Anxiety Disorder” in the July issue of Worst Pills, Best Pills News,[1] we discussed a draft recommendation for screening for anxiety disorders by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Subsequently, the USPSTF finalized its recommendation to screen adults 64 years or younger for anxiety disorders. Citing insufficient evidence of benefit, the USPSTF did not recommend screening adults 65 years or older.[2] These recommendations may lead to more people seeking medical treatment for anxiety disorder. People with anxiety disorders should discuss with their clinicians whether nonpharmacological treatment options, such as psychotherapy or mindfulness-based interventions, are a good option.