The “Twincretin” era for treating patients with type 2 diabetes has begun, with the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) approval of tirzepatide for this indication on May 13, making it the first approved agent that works as a dual agonist for the two main human incretins. Tirzepatide represents “an important advance in the treatment … Read more
In March, I shared a case of a woman with diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy to highlight issues of pain management in primary care. To recap: Maria, age 68, had been experiencing burning pain sensations in her feet and ankles for the past 3 years. I decided to prescribe duloxetine, and I asked for and received feedback … Read more
Editor’s note: Find the latest COVID-19 news and guidance in Medscape’s Coronavirus Resource Center. LISBON, Portugal — An overall ninefold increase in COVID-19 antibody levels can be seen with a longer interval between first and second doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccine in people without prior infection, according to data from the UK government’s SIREN … Read more
As coprescribing drugs for erectile dysfunction and oral organic nitrates for ischemic heart disease (IHD) surged, cardiovascular adverse events did not significantly increase, a new study finds. The authors of the new research specifically examined how frequently phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, such as Viagra, were prescribed. The US Food and Drug Administration and the … Read more
Sips of pickle juice may be all it takes to lessen the severity of muscle cramps in adults with cirrhosis, according to results of the PICCLES randomized controlled trial. In the trial, patients with cirrhotic cramps who sipped pickle brine at the onset of a muscle cramp saw a significant decrease in cramp severity relative … Read more
AUT00206, a novel compound that targets potassium channels in brain interneurons, not only improves gamma oscillations in patients with schizophrenia, it also improves their symptoms, new randomized trial data suggest. In a randomized, double-blind study that included two dozen men with schizophrenia, AUT00206 compared with placebo increased the power of gamma oscillations, which were in … Read more
New research points to a general mechanism that may explain how psychedelics act on the brain to alleviate depression and potentially other psychiatric conditions marked by fixed patterns of thinking, including rumination and excessive self-focus. Led by investigators from the University of California San Francisco and Imperial College London’s Center for Psychedelic Research, the findings … Read more