LATEST NEWS
Small study finds as-needed naltrexone helps reduce binge drinking
A small placebo-controlled trial (N=120) published in the
American Journal of Psychiatry evaluated the effects of as-needed naltrexone (50 mg during alcohol cravings or when binge drinking was anticipated) on 4 different drinking outcomes in sexual and gender minority men. Naltrexone significantly improved 3 of the outcomes, including number of drinks in past 30 days (31% reduction), any binge drinking in the past week (17% reduction), and number of binge drinking days in the past week (26% reduction).
Benzodiazepines get updated pregnancy labeling
For years, benzodiazepines have carried warnings that they are unsafe in pregnancy, and some have FDA pregnancy category D and X ratings. Recent label updates now state that there is no clear association between benzodiazepines and major birth defects. For women receiving benzodiazepines late in pregnancy, a warning about neonatal sedation and/or withdrawal was added.
Another study shows MRI-targeted prostate biopsies are the way to go
For years, systematic ultrasound-guided biopsies that randomly sampled different areas of the prostate were the standard workup for an elevated PSA. Recent advances in MRI technology, however, have made MRI-targeted biopsies a reality. Two large studies [
PMID 29552975,
PMID 34237810] showed that MRI-targeted biopsies reduced the number of biopsy procedures and decreased overdiagnosis with very little loss of significant cancer detection. A third study (see link below) was recently published that validated these findings.
Vuity® (pilocarpine) eyedrops for age-related farsightedness
Vuity® (pilocarpine) is an eyedrop recently approved to treat age-related farsightedness, a condition people often address with reading glasses. Even though it's a new drug with no generic, cash-pay prices are around $80 per bottle, which provides about 25 days of treatment. See the link below for a brief review of its effects.
Drug that delays type one diabetes approved
Teplizumab (Tzield®), a monoclonal antibody that alters
T-cell affinity for pancreatic beta cells, was approved to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in pediatric patients 8 years and older with two or more
islet cell antibodies and dysglycemia. The drug is an IV infusion given once daily over 14 consecutive days.