U.S. Pharmacist Weekly News

October 16, 2024

Youth Suicides Rise After FDA Antidepressant Black-Box Warning

A black-box warning was placed on antidepressants almost 2 decades ago because of concerns about suicide thoughts and behaviors in young people. That appears to have had unintended consequences, according to a new study that found reduced essential medication use and increased suicidality in that cohort after the warning was issued. Learn more about the results of this study.

Cost of Some GLP-1 Agonists Exceed Weight-Loss Surgery

In general, medication treatment of a condition is considered to be less expensive than a surgical intervention. While that might be the case in the short term, it is not always that way in the long term. Find out how long before the cost of common glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists for weight loss exceeds the expense of bariatric surgery for treatment of obesity.

Benzoyl Peroxide Can Become Carcinogenic at Room Temperature

Pharmacists should be aware that benzoyl peroxide acne drugs on drugstore shelves can degrade into carcinogenic benzene. Many of the products have been removed based on a study finding unacceptably high levels of benzene at room temperature and benzene formulation with heat and ultraviolet light. Study authors suggest that constant refrigeration could be a solution. Read more.

Older Outpatients Least Likely to Get COVID-19 Antiviral Treatment

With outpatient antiviral treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection, those of older age and the greatest risk of severe outcomes are the least likely to receive it. Find out how pharmacists can play a role in educating those patients so that more than 35% of the oldest population receive the effective treatment for mild-to-moderate COVID-19.