>> Risk of OCPs and NSAIDs
>> The South American gauge of this year’s flu shots
>> A new option for autoimmune disease sufferers
The Med & Mic™ 09.11.23
MED NEWS blog post from Dr. Maria ON Speaking, LLC
Birth Control Pills and NSAIDS: Blood Clot Risk
Women taking estrogen-containing contraceptives who also used a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) had a higher risk of blood clots in the legs and lungs. Both types of medication increase the risk of blood clots by themselves, but together, the risk increased by more than the sum.
With NSAIDs, the risk of a blood clot per week is 4 in 100,000
With estrogen-containing birth control products, the risk of a blood clot per week is 2 in 100,000
With both medicines together, the risk is 23 in 100,000.
The risk for any one woman is still quite low. (Source: HealthDay, A. Norton, 9.8.23)
This Year’s Flu Shot Performance
Data from South America shows the flu vaccine has cut the risk of hospitalization in half. The Southern Hemisphere experiences flu season a few months before North America, so the pattern is a hopeful sign. Currently, COVID-19 is the dominant respiratory virus circulating in the U.S., though RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is picking up in the South. (Source: CNN, D. McPhillips, 9.8.23)
Generic Anti-Inflammatory to Launch
The anti-inflammatory drug, Stelara, will be coming out as a generic. The medication treats autoimmune disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, plaque psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis. The non-brand medicine will come from Novartis’ generic drug unit, Sandoz. Stelara is made by Johnson & Johnson. (Source: Reuters, 9.11)
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