Pharmacology/Pharmaceutical Industry
Cohort study: Early initiation of prophylactic anticoagulation linked to reduced mortality in patients admitted to hospital with Covid-19
15 Feb, 2021 | 01:18h | UTCCommentaries: Preventive blood thinning drugs could reduce COVID hospital deaths – London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine AND Preventive blood thinning drugs linked to reduced risk of death in COVID-19 patients – The BMJ AND Expert reaction to a study looking at prophylactic anticoagulants as a treatment for hospitalised patients with COVID-19 – Science Media Centre AND
Commentary on Twitter
Blood thinning drugs are now linked to a reduced risk of death for COVID19 patients. Those given preventive blood thinners (prophylactic anticoagulants) within 24 hours of hospital admission for Covid were less likely to die. New report in the BMJ https://t.co/KQqQ3Zoj8B pic.twitter.com/6wJj8mEucw
— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) February 12, 2021
Take whatever COVID vaccine you can get. All of them stop death and hospitalization
15 Feb, 2021 | 01:17h | UTCTake whatever COVID vaccine you can get. All of them stop death and hospitalization – USA Today
“All seven COVID-19 vaccines that have completed large efficacy trials — Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Novavax, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V and Sinovac — appear to be 100% effective for serious complications. Not one vaccinated person has gotten sick enough to require hospitalization. Not a single vaccinated person has died of COVID-19.”
Small RCT: No effect from Zinc and Vitamin C supplementation among ambulatory patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection
15 Feb, 2021 | 01:20h | UTCCommentaries: Vitamin C, zinc don’t lessen Covid-19 symptoms, study finds – CNN AND Supplements for the Treatment of Mild COVID-19—Challenging Health Beliefs With Science From A to Z – JAMA Network Open AND Zinc, vitamin C show no effect for COVID-19 in small study – CIDRAP AND Expert reaction to a study looking at prophylactic anticoagulants as a treatment for hospitalised patients with COVID-19 – Science Media Centre
Commentary on Twitter
RCT finds high-dose zinc, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), or both, did not significantly decrease the duration of symptoms in ambulatory patients with #COVID19 vs standard of care. @DesaiMilindY @ClevelandClinic @ErinMichos @miguelcainzos23 #VisualAbstract https://t.co/ahcc2awJB8
— JAMA Network Open (@JAMANetworkOpen) February 12, 2021
Challenges in ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines: production, affordability, allocation, and deployment
15 Feb, 2021 | 01:14h | UTC
Commentaries on Twitter
NEW—#COVID19 vaccination potential will not be achieved without increased production, affordable pricing, global availability, & successful rollout. This Health Policy compares potential of 26 leading vaccines + vaccine confidence in 32 countries. Read https://t.co/QFeRDHutAi pic.twitter.com/rgknOgCVkg
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) February 12, 2021
The practical issues of #SARSCoV2 vaccines, a new and comprehensive review @TheLancet https://t.co/6sHsac44Ej best current summary of production, $, allocation, deployment, by @ojwouters @LSEHealthPolicy and colleagues pic.twitter.com/mMxOgkjyi0
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) February 13, 2021
Reports of anaphylaxis after receipt of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in the US
15 Feb, 2021 | 01:13h | UTCAuthor interview: COVID-19 Vaccine Safety–Anaphylaxis and Allergic Reactions – JAMA
Commentary on Twitter
More than 17.5 million doses of Pfizer & Moderna vaccine were administered between Dec 14 – Jan 18, in USA.
Only 66 cases of anaphylaxis were reported & all but 1 case occurred within 11 min of vaccination.
0 deaths.https://t.co/P1YJISkHZE
— Isaac Bogoch (@BogochIsaac) February 12, 2021
France’s health authority recommends single vaccine shot for people who have had COVID-19
15 Feb, 2021 | 01:02h | UTCFrance’s health authority recommends single vaccine shot for people who have had COVID-19 – Euronews
See also: Covid: France says just one jab needed for previously infected – BBC
Related: Covid-19: People who have had infection might only need one dose of mRNA vaccine – The BMJ AND You’ve had COVID: maybe one dose of vaccine is enough, studies suggest – MedicalXpress
Updated U.S. Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule
12 Feb, 2021 | 02:07h | UTCRecommended Adult Immunization Schedule, United States, 2021 – Annals of Internal Medicine
M-A: No link between blood pressure drugs and falls
12 Feb, 2021 | 02:05h | UTCNo link between blood pressure drugs and falls, finds study – University of Oxford
Original study: Association between antihypertensive treatment and adverse events: systematic review and meta-analysis – The BMJ
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
Can #bloodpressure treatment be harmful? Our new meta-analysis suggests it is NOT linked to #falls or #fractures but may increase the risk of syncope & acute kidney injury https://t.co/H5LlsFVBXJ – see thread @RichardJMcManus @Richard_D_Riley @ebhcmedstats @JulietU_S @drandyclegg pic.twitter.com/UtWjE1BzMW
— James Sheppard (@jamessheppard48) February 10, 2021
RCT: Delayed antibiotic prescription feasible for children with uncomplicated respiratory infections
12 Feb, 2021 | 02:02h | UTCDelayed Antibiotic Prescription for Children With Respiratory Infections: A Randomized Trial – Pediatrics (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentary: Data support delayed antibiotics in kids with respiratory infections – CIDRAP
Cohort study: The use of macrolide antibiotics in pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformations
12 Feb, 2021 | 02:04h | UTC
RCT: Tocilizumab reduces deaths in patients hospitalized with COVID-19
12 Feb, 2021 | 02:25h | UTCNews release: Tocilizumab reduces deaths in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 – University of Oxford
Commentary: Tocilizumab cuts death rate in severe COVID-19, study finds – CIDRAP
Commentary on Twitter
👇RECOVERY pre-print:
Tocilizumab
– reduces mortality
– shortens hospital stay
– reduces progression to invasive mechanical ventilationClear benefits on top of corticosteroids
Good news!https://t.co/dal17tQG5b
— Martin Landray (@MartinLandray) February 11, 2021
Opinion: It’s time to consider vaccine mandates in high-risk settings
12 Feb, 2021 | 02:19h | UTCIt’s Time to Consider Vaccine Mandates in High-Risk Settings – Scientific American
Commentary on Twitter
It's Time to Consider #Vaccine Mandates in High-Risk Settings
"Leaving vaccination to individual choice is unacceptably high in places like #NursingHomes, #LongTermCare facilities and #Prisons"
Professors @doritmi @ArthurCaplan in @sciam https://t.co/km2PZPM5bK
— Paul Belcher *ON BLUESKY – DORMANT ON X* (@PaulJBelcher) January 28, 2021
Perspective: Mandating COVID-19 Vaccines—Ethical and Legal Considerations
12 Feb, 2021 | 02:18h | UTCMandating COVID-19 Vaccines – JAMA
Commentary on Twitter
Mandatory #COVID #vaccines are of intense interest. Now, in @JAMA_current, Dan Salmon @JohnsHopkinsSPH, @ProfHeidiLarson & I examine whether it's lawful & ethical. We cover mandates ordered by states, employers, schools, unis & as a condition of service. https://t.co/n9MQN3p1Wi pic.twitter.com/GmacRB5KKZ
— Lawrence Gostin (@LawrenceGostin) December 29, 2020
Cohort study: First trimester prescription opioid use not associated with a substantial increase in risk for major congenital malformations
12 Feb, 2021 | 02:03h | UTC
RCT: Once-weekly, high-dose semaglutide is effective for improving overweight or obesity among non-diabetic adults
11 Feb, 2021 | 02:09h | UTCOnce-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentary: Semaglutide Plus Lifestyle Change Shown Effective for Obesity – NEJM Journal Watch
Commentary on Twitter
This double-blind study randomly assigned adults with obesity without diabetes to 68 weeks of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide or placebo, plus lifestyle intervention. Semaglutide therapy was associated with sustained, clinically relevant weight reduction.
— NEJM (@NEJM) February 10, 2021
Near-equivalence in oncology: Generating evidence to support alternative cost-effective treatments
11 Feb, 2021 | 02:02h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
Thoughtful piece with real implications for decreasing costs and improving access to cancer care – with particular relevance in low- and middle-resource settings although applicable in all settings. https://t.co/MkQx6Gzte4
— Julie Gralow (@jrgralow) February 10, 2021
Meta-analysis: Chlorthalidone vs. hydrochlorothiazide
11 Feb, 2021 | 02:00h | UTCChlorthalidone versus hydrochlorothiazide: major cardiovascular events, blood pressure, left ventricular mass, and adverse effects – Journal of Hypertension (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentary: Chlorthalidone Compared With HCTZ for MACE Reduction – Renal & Urology News
Red Yeast Rice for Hypercholesterolemia: JACC Focus Seminar
11 Feb, 2021 | 01:54h | UTC
Combination of vancomycin plus piperacillin and risk of acute kidney injury: a worldwide pharmacovigilance database analysis
11 Feb, 2021 | 01:50h | UTCRelated: Risk of acute kidney injury and Clostridioides difficile infection with piperacillin/tazobactam, cefepime and meropenem with or without vancomycin – Clinical Infectious Diseases AND Vancomycin Plus Piperacillin-Tazobactam and Acute Kidney Injury in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – Critical Care Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text) AND Association of Acute Kidney Injury With Concomitant Vancomycin and Piperacillin/Tazobactam Treatment Among Hospitalized Children – JAMA Pediatrics (link to abstract – $ for full-text) AND Co-administration of vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam is associated with increased renal dysfunction in adult and pediatric burn patients – Critical Care
Commentary on Twitter
🚨 New paper from our team @HopitalCochin ⤵️
New data supporting a drug-drug interaction between vancomycin and piperacillin ⚠️ increased risk of acute kidney injury | Great collab with @AdrienContejean
@KerneisSolen
Read more in @BSACandJAC ⤵️https://t.co/eQW5s52fOY@ABsteward— Laurent Chouchana (@LChouchana) February 1, 2021
Small RCT: Inhaled budesonide reduces the need for hospitalization in COVID-19 patients
11 Feb, 2021 | 02:18h | UTCCommentaries: Common asthma treatment reduces need for hospitalisation in COVID-19 patients, study suggests – University of Oxford AND Expert reaction to preprint on an RCT of inhaled budesonide in the treatment of early COVID-19 – Science Media Centre
WHO experts recommend AstraZeneca COVID vaccine across all ages and countries
11 Feb, 2021 | 02:20h | UTCCommentaries: WHO Experts Recommend AstraZeneca COVID Vaccine Across All Ages & Countries – Signal For Start Of Global COVAX Vaccine Rollout – Health Policy Watch AND WHO backs use of Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine for adults of all ages – The Guardian AND Covid: WHO backs Oxford vaccine ‘even if variants present’ – BBC AND Expert reaction to WHO recommending use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, including in over 65s – Science Media Centre AND Up Against Mutants, WHO Says AstraZeneca Vaccine Is Still A Good Bet – NPR
ACP: Update on Remdesivir use for hospitalized COVID-19 patients
11 Feb, 2021 | 02:15h | UTC
FDA Drug Safety Communication: Initial safety trial results find Tofacitinib, used for arthritis and ulcerative colitis, may increase the risk of serious heart-related problems and cancer
9 Feb, 2021 | 01:00h | UTCCommentary: Arthritis, Colitis Drug Tied to Heart-Related Problems and Cancer – NEJM Journal Watch
Variant-proof vaccines — invest now for the next pandemic
9 Feb, 2021 | 01:39h | UTCVariant-proof vaccines — invest now for the next pandemic – Nature
Small RCT: Peginterferon lambda increases viral clearance in outpatients with COVID-19
9 Feb, 2021 | 01:36h | UTC