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First OTC naloxone nasal spray gets FDA approval
Narcan, a 4 mg naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray, is the only product that can be acquired over-the-counter, without a prescription. It can be used to treat the negative effects of opioid overdose. The drug received unanimous approval from the FDA's committee members. This approval paves the way for easy access to life-saving therapy that can reverse opioid overdose.
FDA
Following this step count a few days a week has health benefits
Walking 8,000 steps a day, just two days a week, could significantly lower the mortality risk by 15% over ten years, as per a study. However, the benefits plateaued after 8,000 steps a day, three days a week. Researchers used accelerometer data from over 3,000 study participants. These findings could encourage people who have limited time to exercise.
Today
FDA releases guidance for accelerated approvals of cancer drugs
The agency issued a draft guidance with an aim to improve data available during accelerated approval and lower the uncertainty for patients by starting postmarketing studies on time. It emphasizes the conduct, design, and data analysis through two randomized clinical trials. Some appropriate cases may not need separate clinical trials but a longer-term follow-up.
OncLive
Viking's obesity drug proves to be beneficial in clinical trials
The injectable drug developed by Viking Therapeutics helped obese patients lose almost 8% of their body weight in a small phase 1 clinical trial. The 10 mg per week dose of the drug caused the largest weight loss. Viking's drug, VK2735, activates two insulin-stimulating hormones, which Eli Lily's drug also activates. Eli Lily's drug Mounjaro is in phase 3 trials now.
Biopharmadive
Elon Musk's Neuralink starts efforts to start human trials
The firm which developed a brain implant has approached a large neurosurgery centre Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, to make them a clinical trial partner to test the implants in humans. The firm is also awaiting confirmation from regulatory authorities. Brain implants are developed to treat neurological conditions like blindness and paralysis.
The Print
Exercise could help improve movements in Parkinson's
A systematic review including 8,000 patients revealed that physical exercises like water exercise, dance, endurance exercise, tai chi, resistance exercise, yoga, and physiotherapy showed mild to large improvements in quality of life and severity of motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Researchers suggested any structured exercise could be better than none.
UPI
Genital swabbing better than urine testing to detect STIs in women
An analysis to find the best method to test for sexually transmitted infections in women, especially gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis, revealed that the vaginal swab method was more accurate than urine tests. Though vaginal swabs are advised by guidelines, people often use urine tests. Researchers hope this evidence encourages providers to use vaginal swabs.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Taking more magnesium a day could prevent dementia
An Australian study showed that a 41% increase in the amount of magnesium taken daily could lead to decreased age-related brain shrinkage, which is linked to better cognition and reduced risk of dementia later. Participants consumed over 550 mg of magnesium daily than the recommended intake of 350 mg. Pumpkin seeds, almonds, and chia seeds are rich in magnesium.
Study Finds
Weight loss benefits on the heart persist even after some weight regain
New evidence suggests that cholesterol levels and blood pressure were better in people who were part of a weight loss program than those who were not, even after the former slowly regained some of the lost weight. These benefits tended to diminish as they regained more weight. Losing weight is believed to reset metabolism, which persists even after regaining some pounds.
Health Day
What to do when genetic testing incidentally reveals cardiac risk?
AHA's guidance advises communicating the risk of cardiovascular disease to patients who agreed to learn about these risks before testing. The initial interpretation of CVD risk could change over time. Physicians should develop a multidisciplinary framework to evaluate, re-evaluate, and determine the CVD risk associated with the variant to manage patients and their families.
Cardiovascular Business
