Understanding Antipsychotic Drug Mechanisms Helps Predict Side Effects-and How to Respond
September 11th 2015Peter Weiden, MD, says that psychiatrists have greater ability to address side effects from antipsychotics than they did 10 years ago. It's essential that clinicians take patient concerns seriously, because when they don't patients may react by stopping their medication.
Supports for Patients After First-Episode Psychosis Should Remain, Evidence Suggests
September 11th 2015Ten years of following patients who had a period of strong social supports after a first psychotic episode shows that the effects of that care wane over time once the help is removed. Joseph P. McEvoy, MD, of Georgia Regents University said the studies show the support should continue.
Surgeon General Urges Americans to Walk More to Combat Chronic Disease
September 9th 2015Research shows that about 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise, such as walking, can have significant health benefits. Changes in American lifestyles in recent decades have made limited the amount of time spent walking, with unfortunate results.
For Now, Pharmacy Managers Just Say No to High-Cost PCSK9 Cholesterol Drugs
August 28th 2015Both ExpressScripts and CVS Health say the new class of cholesterol-fighting drugs will be generally unavailable until their P&T committees complete evaluations, and negotiations for discounts or exclusive deals occur.
CVS Unveils Deals to Expand Telehealth Services for Consumers
August 27th 2015Both surveys and peer-reviewed research show patients like telehealth services. CVS' announcement comes after a successful pilot program showed a collaboration of telehealth and the retail clinics produced good results for patients.
10 Years After Katrina, What's the State of New Orleans' Mental Health Services?
August 25th 2015A recent study found that residents' PTSD is affected by the lack of social supports that existed even before the hurricane devastated the city on August 29, 2005. Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other ailments are common, but psychiatrists and in-patient facilities are not.
Healthcare Access a Focus of Alabama Tax Reforms
August 21st 2015Governor Robert Bentley is calling out fellow Republicans in Alabama's legislature and asking what they would cut if they fail to pass his $300 million tax proposal. His state has some of the nation's highest rates of diabetes and obesity.
Jardiance: Diabetes Drug Hits "Holy Grail" of Cutting Heart Attack, Stroke Risk in Trial
August 20th 2015Results for the cardiovascular outcomes trial on the SGLT2 inhibitor mark the first time one of the newer diabetes drugs has produced benefits since the FDA began looking closely at these effects. Full data will be presented next month at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.