U.S. insurers are paying millions of dollars a year to cover the cost of ivermectin for COVID-19 patients despite a lack of proof the anti-parasitic drug is effective against the virus, a new study finds. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization say ivermectin pills — typically used to treat… read on > read on >
All Food:
Baby’s Feeding Troubles Tied to Later Developmental Delays
Parents struggling with infant feeding issues may have another reason to persevere: New research ties feeding problems with an increased risk of developmental delays. For the study, the mothers of nearly 3,600 children were surveyed about feeding problems at 18, 24 and 30 months of age, such as gagging, crying during meals or pushing food… read on > read on >
Skipping COVID Vaccine in Pregnancy Brings Big Risks to Mothers, Babies
Unvaccinated pregnant women are putting themselves and their baby at risk for serious complications of COVID-19, according to new research out of Scotland. For women who have the virus within 28 days of their delivery date, those complications include preterm births, stillbirths and newborn deaths. Infant deaths are four times higher among unvaccinated women, the… read on > read on >
Amid U.S. Blood Shortage, New Pressure to Ease Donor Rules for Gay Men
A three-month sexual abstinence rule for blood donations from sexually active gay and bisexual men should be dropped by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, critics urge as the country struggles with a blood shortage. Right now, based on the slight chance of infection with HIV, men who have sex with men must abstain from… read on > read on >
Senate Committee Backs Califf Nomination to Head FDA
The nomination of former U.S. Food and Drug Administration head Dr. Robert Califf to again lead the agency now heads to the full Senate for a vote, after a Senate committee on Thursday voted 13-8 for approval. Among those who voted against Califf’s nomination were Democrats who expressed concerns about his links to pharmaceutical companies,… read on > read on >
FDA Approves Monoclonal Antibody to Treat Arthritis in Cats
Arthritis can keep a cat from doing many of the things that kitties love to do. But now there’s hope: The first treatment to ease arthritis pain in cats has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Solensia (frunevetmab injection) is the first monoclonal antibody drug approved by the FDA for use in… read on > read on >
Celebrities’ Social Media Promotes Junk Food, Often for Free
Images of people eating and drinking are a staple of social media, but new research finds such posts from celebrities often puts the spotlight squarely on junk food. Profit isn’t always the reason why, investigators found: Celebrities often highlight unhealthy food favorites without getting paid for it. “Ninety-five percent of photos that contain foods and… read on > read on >
Opioid Misuse Keeps Rising Among Older Americans
The opioid addict you know might not be the college kid who has always dabbled in alcohol and drugs. It could be your grandparent. Opioid misuse doesn’t discriminate by age — and rates are rising steadily among adults aged 55 and up, new research shows. “You can still use recreational drugs at an older age.… read on > read on >
How Safe Is a ‘Holiday’ From Bone-Strengthening Meds?
People on bone-protecting drugs often take breaks from them for a few years. Now a new study finds that a “holiday” from the medication risedronate (Actonel) may come with a slightly increased risk of hip fracture. Researchers found that compared with a drug holiday from alendronate (Fosamax), taking a few years off from risedronate came… read on > read on >
Fertility Treatments Don’t Raise Odds for Smaller, Preemie Babies
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) – Babies conceived through infertility treatment are more likely to be born early and small. But there are reasons other than medically assisted reproduction to explain this difference, a new study concludes. “Rather than the infertility treatment itself, our new findings highlight the importance of parents’ underlying fertility problems… read on > read on >