A New Era for Diabetes and Weight Loss Drugs

For patients seeking new solutions to managing type 2 diabetes and obesity, the introduction of a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists (RA) has simultaneously inspired hope and excitement along with misuse and confusion. We developed the following Q&A to go beyond the headlines and explore how Ozempic and similar drugs work, who may benefit most from them, and why they may ultimately represent a true breakthrough in the way these chronic conditions are classified, considered and treated.

What defines type 2 diabetes?

More than 37 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease that affects the ability of the body to regulate glucose (blood sugar) levels. This leads to an increase of glucose over
time which significantly increases the risk for complications to vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves. Diagnosis is made when testing shows: fasting glucose of 126 mg/dl or higher; or non-fasting glucose of 200 mg/dl or higher; or A1C (average of glucose over the past 3 months) of 6.5% or higher.

How was type 2 diabetes previously treated?

Approved by the FDA in 1994, Metformin is well established as the first line therapy for management of type 2 diabetes if lifestyle changes (low-carbohydrate diet, weight loss and exercise activity) are not enough to bring blood sugar levels down near the normal range. Metformin works by decreasing the amount of blood sugar produced by the liver in a fasting state, decreasing the absorption of food through the intestines, and restoring the body’s response to insulin.

What is different about the GLP-1 RA drugs?

Among the major benefits this class of drugs brings to patients with type 2 diabetes is
lowering their risk for heart disease and stroke, and providing a significant boost to weight loss, in addition to helping reduce glucose levels to a near-normal range. As a result of the positive outcome reported in trials, the American Diabetes Association changed its longstanding guidelines for first-line treatment of type 2 diabetes to include recommendations for GLP-1 RA drugs in patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease or with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or chronic kidney disease.

How do GLP-1 RA drugs work?

Known as incretin mimetics, this class of drugs mimics the effect of a hormone, glucagon- like peptide-1, or GLP-1, which is normally produced naturally to stimulate the release of insulin secretion after eating a meal. Receptors to GLP-1 are found in the pancreas, the brain and elsewhere in the body. The drug enhances these receptors, which help the pancreas release more insulin and help reduce blood sugar levels without raising the risk for hypoglycemia (too- low blood sugar levels). By limiting the amount of sugar the liver releases into the bloodstream in a fasting state, and slowing down how long food stays in the stomach, the drug promotes a feeling of satiety, leading people to be satisfied with eating smaller portions. In addition, some patients have reported a marked decrease in cravings for carbohydrate-rich and fatty foods.

What are GLP-1 RA drugs intended to treat – diabetes, obesity, or both?

Under certain names, GLP-1 RA drugs are FDA-approved only for treatment of type 2 diabetes while offering added benefits of weight loss and cardiovascular protection; under other names, the drugs are indicated only for weight loss, but not for treatment of diabetes. While the ingredients can be identical, the difference is in dosage amounts and whether the trials focused on the drug’s impact on blood sugar or weight changes. For example, semaglutide, a GLP-1 drug, is approved to treat diabetes under the name Ozempic; a higher-dose version of semaglutide, Wegovy, is only FDA approved for weight loss. The same is true for liragutide, approved for type 2 diabetes as Victoza, and for weight loss as Saxenda.

Are there side effects?

Most side effects for these types on drugs are gastrointestinal, including nausea, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain.

How effective are GLP-1 RA drugs like Saxenda and Wegovy for weight loss?

Trials to date have shown excellent results, with patients able to lose between 5 to 20% of their total body weight. However, these drugs are not meant for people wanting to lose 10 or 15 pounds. They are indicated for those who are obese, as measured by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher; or for people with a BMI of 27 or greater with at least one weight-related coexisting condition such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels. It’s important to note that obesity is a chronic disease, and these drugs may be needed as a long-term treatment to help lose pounds and maintain weight loss, along with lifestyle changes that include a healthy diet and 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.

How do SGLT2 inhibitors fit into the mix of drugs for diabetes?

This is a newer class of drugs that lowers blood sugar levels by preventing the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose back into the bloodstream but instead releasing it through urine. Originally intended only for lowering blood sugar, later research data showed the drugs offered significant benefits for type 2 diabetes patients with coexisting conditions. Now some SGLT2 drugs- Invokana (canaglifozin), Farxiga (dapaglifozin), and Jardiance (empagliflozin) – have also been approved for use by non-diabetic patients with a history of chronic kidney disease or congestive heart failure.

Are other drugs in the wings?

Mounjaro, a GLP-1 RA drug that also promotes a second gut hormone (glucose-dependent
insulinotropic polypeptide, or GIP) is currently approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes, and on a fast track approval by the FDA to be used as a weight loss medication.

How will I know which drug is right for me?

This is a decision best made on an individual basis with your physician, who will consider factors such as your overall health status, drug intolerances, risk factors for developing diabetes-related complications, benefits versus possible harm from side effects, and preferred formulation (oral or injection).

Drugs with Benefits: A Guide to GLP-1 RA Therapies

NOTE: Non-GLP-1 RA drugs used for weight loss are not listed here… Please consult with your healthcare provider regarding your best option.

Sources: GoodRx, American Diabetes Association

A New Era for Diabetes and Weight Loss Drugs

For patients seeking new solutions to managing type 2 diabetes and obesity, the introduction of a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists (RA) has simultaneously inspired hope and excitement along with misuse and confusion. We developed the following Q&A to go beyond the headlines and explore how Ozempic and similar drugs work, who may benefit most from them, and why they may ultimately represent a true breakthrough in the way these chronic conditions are classified, considered and treated.

What defines type 2 diabetes?

More than 37 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease that affects the ability of the body to regulate glucose (blood sugar) levels. This leads to an increase of glucose over
time which significantly increases the risk for complications to vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves. Diagnosis is made when testing shows: fasting glucose of 126 mg/dl or higher; or non-fasting glucose of 200 mg/dl or higher; or A1C (average of glucose over the past 3 months) of 6.5% or higher.

How was type 2 diabetes previously treated?

Approved by the FDA in 1994, Metformin is well established as the first line therapy for management of type 2 diabetes if lifestyle changes (low-carbohydrate diet, weight loss and exercise activity) are not enough to bring blood sugar levels down near the normal range. Metformin works by decreasing the amount of blood sugar produced by the liver in a fasting state, decreasing the absorption of food through the intestines, and restoring the body’s response to insulin.

What is different about the GLP-1 RA drugs?

Among the major benefits this class of drugs brings to patients with type 2 diabetes is
lowering their risk for heart disease and stroke, and providing a significant boost to weight loss, in addition to helping reduce glucose levels to a near-normal range. As a result of the positive outcome reported in trials, the American Diabetes Association changed its longstanding guidelines for first-line treatment of type 2 diabetes to include recommendations for GLP-1 RA drugs in patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease or with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or chronic kidney disease.

How do GLP-1 RA drugs work?

Known as incretin mimetics, this class of drugs mimics the effect of a hormone, glucagon- like peptide-1, or GLP-1, which is normally produced naturally to stimulate the release of insulin secretion after eating a meal. Receptors to GLP-1 are found in the pancreas, the brain and elsewhere in the body. The drug enhances these receptors, which help the pancreas release more insulin and help reduce blood sugar levels without raising the risk for hypoglycemia (too- low blood sugar levels). By limiting the amount of sugar the liver releases into the bloodstream in a fasting state, and slowing down how long food stays in the stomach, the drug promotes a feeling of satiety, leading people to be satisfied with eating smaller portions. In addition, some patients have reported a marked decrease in cravings for carbohydrate-rich and fatty foods.

What are GLP-1 RA drugs intended to treat – diabetes, obesity, or both?

Under certain names, GLP-1 RA drugs are FDA-approved only for treatment of type 2 diabetes while offering added benefits of weight loss and cardiovascular protection; under other names, the drugs are indicated only for weight loss, but not for treatment of diabetes. While the ingredients can be identical, the difference is in dosage amounts and whether the trials focused on the drug’s impact on blood sugar or weight changes. For example, semaglutide, a GLP-1 drug, is approved to treat diabetes under the name Ozempic; a higher-dose version of semaglutide, Wegovy, is only FDA approved for weight loss. The same is true for liragutide, approved for type 2 diabetes as Victoza, and for weight loss as Saxenda.

Are there side effects?

Most side effects for these types on drugs are gastrointestinal, including nausea, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain.

How effective are GLP-1 RA drugs like Saxenda and Wegovy for weight loss?

Trials to date have shown excellent results, with patients able to lose between 5 to 20% of their total body weight. However, these drugs are not meant for people wanting to lose 10 or 15 pounds. They are indicated for those who are obese, as measured by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher; or for people with a BMI of 27 or greater with at least one weight-related coexisting condition such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels. It’s important to note that obesity is a chronic disease, and these drugs may be needed as a long-term treatment to help lose pounds and maintain weight loss, along with lifestyle changes that include a healthy diet and 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.

How do SGLT2 inhibitors fit into the mix of drugs for diabetes?

This is a newer class of drugs that lowers blood sugar levels by preventing the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose back into the bloodstream but instead releasing it through urine. Originally intended only for lowering blood sugar, later research data showed the drugs offered significant benefits for type 2 diabetes patients with coexisting conditions. Now some SGLT2 drugs- Invokana (canaglifozin), Farxiga (dapaglifozin), and Jardiance (empagliflozin) – have also been approved for use by non-diabetic patients with a history of chronic kidney disease or congestive heart failure.

Are other drugs in the wings?

Mounjaro, a GLP-1 RA drug that also promotes a second gut hormone (glucose-dependent
insulinotropic polypeptide, or GIP) is currently approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes, and on a fast track approval by the FDA to be used as a weight loss medication.

How will I know which drug is right for me?

This is a decision best made on an individual basis with your physician, who will consider factors such as your overall health status, drug intolerances, risk factors for developing diabetes-related complications, benefits versus possible harm from side effects, and preferred formulation (oral or injection).

Drugs with Benefits: A Guide to GLP-1 RA Therapies

NOTE: Non-GLP-1 RA drugs used for weight loss are not listed here… Please consult with your healthcare provider regarding your best option.

Sources: GoodRx, American Diabetes Association

Pandemic Inspires and Challenges Medical Innovation

Pandemic Sparks Promising Future for Clinical Trial Speed and Flexibility

Like wartime medicine, the pandemic inspires and challenges medical innovation.

The silver lining of the pandemic is the reinvigorated sense of urgency breaking down
cumbersome and expensive barriers to the FDA’s phased approval process. While the research- lab-to-patient-arm trials for the highly successful COVID-19 vaccines famously moved the traditional pace to warp speed, other critical and life-altering medicines, devices and therapies also broke through during this period.

To be clear, the current surge of medical innovation through clinical trials in immunology, cardiology, multiple sclerosis, oncology and more, is not the result of a rush-to-market panic. All necessary and appropriate testing protocols to ensure quality are still being achieved, but at a more expedient pace in many cases. This is the good news.

“In times of crisis, we can accelerate the development and review process,” explains Andrew Badley, MD, infectious disease specialist, Mayo Clinic. “Throughout the pandemic, many of these steps were accelerated. No steps were skipped. It was just the amount of effort that went into the development and the review that was increased.”

Of course, there is also some not-so-good news about clinical trials today. During the pandemic, the number of new studies launched dropped by as much as 57 percent, according to Trials Journal, and the overall completion rate of clinical trials decreased between 13 and 23 percent globally. Shifting research priorities (11 percent of studies shifted to pandemic-related trials in 2020) and initial challenges in recruiting and following up with volunteer patients during the global lockdown contributed to this decrease. Often, a clinical trial is tethered to an academic medical center with participants centered in one geographical area, limiting volunteer pools and access.

However, the future speed and flexibility of clinical trial protocols is very promising, reflecting the long-term viability of alterations made to the fabric of patient care and research during the pandemic. Some of the new flexibility that is being assessed and considered for permanent use includes:

1. Telemedicine. While telemedicine has been available for years, the lockdown most certainly fast-tracked adoption among researchers, regulators, physicians and patients. Clinical trial investigators can now use telemedicine for many patient check-ins, saving time and broadening the geography of volunteer pools. Dr. Ray Dorsey, a neurologist at the University of Rochester, noted in a recent article that his virtual clinical study of
   genetic predisposition to Parkinson’s disease moved forward more quickly amid the pandemic, spurred by a rising number of online enrollments.
2. Delivery. Like specialty pharmacies and physicians during lockdown, clinical trial investigators are now allowed to deliver trial medicine to volunteers.
3. Remote Access. Volunteer participants are able to use online platforms for completing consent forms, and they can often visit their local physician for basic assessments. Some
   trials also require less frequent check-ins, which can be important in recruiting volunteer patients. The growing number of smartphone-enabled applications that provide measurement of critical physiologic variables means patients don’t need to continually return to the hospital or clinic for tests during the trial. For instance, an entirely remote study testing vitamin D for treating COVID-19 and preventing transmission is being conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital; participants obtain their own blood samples with a finger prick, dot the blood drop onto filter paper supplied to them and mail it back.

The Clinical Trial Explainer

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directs and approves all prescribed medicines, diets, diagnostics, devices and therapies. Clinical trials are the part of research that determines whether a medical intervention should be moved, or “translated,” from the lab to routine patient care. At each phase along the way, the team must answer different questions about safety, efficacy (whether the intervention works as intended) and whether there might be better options available. The current clinical trial journey to FDA approval, shown below, can take years, a mountain of paperwork and millions of dollars – there is room for improvement.

• Preclinical phase establishes the pharmacological profile and determines toxicity on at least two animal species.
• Phase I, a short study of 20 to 80 healthy people to determine safe treatment and dosing.
• Phase II, a larger-scale study of targeted patients to determine treatment effectiveness and identify side effects; can take months to years to complete.
• Phase III compares the trial intervention with existing therapies; requires several years of multiple data collection check-ins and comparisons. About 1 in 15 won’t make it past phase III.
• FDA Review and Approval
• Phase IV follows patients after therapy approval to ensure the intervention is working and prove the long-term benefits outweigh any risks or side effects.

The post Pandemic Inspires and Challenges Medical Innovation appeared first on Specialdocs Consultants.

For more information on the benefits of Concierge Medicine, please visit Logan Square Medical Group. To enroll as a new patient, please call us directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Current patients with any health concerns, should call Dr. Brown’s office directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Thank you!

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Experts Weigh In With Reassuring Outlook

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is in full swing around the country but many questions remain. We reveal the latest answers (as of February 2021) from nationally recognized vaccine experts Dr. Paul Sax, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Clinical Director of Infectious Disease, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; and Michael Kinch, PhD, Director of Washington University’s Center for Drug Discovery.

How will the new variants impact the effectiveness of the vaccines?

Sax: Data is emerging daily. The UK variant has a higher level of contagiousness but is mediated just as well with the vaccine; other variants’ stories are still unfolding. Vaccine manufacturers are retooling the antigens to make them effective against a broader group of viruses. Boosters may be provided in the future.

Kinch: The variants show us that the coronavirus is very efficient at mutation, and we’ll likely need to adapt our vaccines every two to five years to provide the right protection.

Is it safe to get vaccinated at large outdoor stadiums?

Sax: Yes, absolutely. People are not being crowded into poorly ventilated indoor spaces at these events.

Which vaccine is best?

Sax: The one that’s offered to you! Don’t wait for a specific vaccine because in the interim, you’re at higher risk for getting a more severe case of COVID-19. Pfizer and Moderna, both mRNA vaccines, are 95% effective after two doses. The J&J vaccine works differently, using a virus that doesn’t reproduce in humans and stimulating an immune response after just one dose. While J&J’s 70-80% rate may not be as high as the others, it’s very effective in preventing severe disease, so you can feel confident about getting it. We are also likely to have a fourth vaccine, Novavax, available soon.

Kinch: We may not have a definitive answer to this question until later this year. But these are incredible vaccine breakthroughs, with exceptionally high rates of effectiveness.

Is delaying the second dose problematic?

Sax: Getting it too early is actually more concerning. The first dose primes the immune system and the second dose gives it a huge boost. Waiting six weeks won’t matter.

Are side effects worse after the second dose?

Sax: Yes, there are more side effects reported but this indicates your body is responding to the vaccine. I experienced headache, fatigue and trouble concentrating immediately afterwards, and then felt totally fine the next day. That’s a trade-off I’d take anytime versus the potentially life-threatening consequences of COVID-19.

What if I don’t experience side effects?

Sax: No need for concern, as the vaccines were shown to be highly effective in trials with thousands of people, including a significant number over age 55. However, older, frailer people weren’t tested, and it’s possible they may not respond as well to the vaccine.

Can I take pain relievers before or after getting the vaccine?

Sax: Don’t take any beforehand as it can blunt the immune response; afterwards, it’s fine.

What is still unknown about COVID-19 and vaccines?

Sax: We don’t know the risk of immunized people transmitting COVID-19, but we’re seeing promising evidence from Israel that vaccinated individuals carry lower amounts of virus. This will significantly reduce but not completely eliminate transmission. Also unknown is whether natural or vaccine-induced immunity is better.

Kinch: The long-term durability of the vaccine’s immune protection isn’t known, but we’ll discover that over time. Preliminary data seems to indicate that recovery from minor cases of coronavirus provides three to nine months of protection.

Is it important to vaccinate younger people?

Sax: Elementary age kids only get mildly sick from COVID-19 and they’re not very contagious, but teenagers are at higher risk for severe disease and are more contagious. The most important group to vaccinate is people in their 20s, who’ve been primary spreaders of the virus.

Should immunosuppressed patients get the vaccine?

Kinch: Yes, and in fact, patients with autoimmune conditions will be prioritized as a higher-risk group. One of the most promising and least discussed aspects of the Moderna and Pfizer trials is that while many patients became infected with the virus, not one was hospitalized, needed intubation or died. This is particularly significant for immunosuppressed patients, because if infection can’t be prevented altogether, the vaccine will lessen disease severity and result in much better outcomes.

Should pregnant women get the vaccine?

Sax: Pregnancy is a severe risk factor for COVID. While theoretically the vaccine is safe, we don’t have all the data yet. I’d recommend it, but also understand if a woman chooses to wait.

What needs to happen to resume normal life?

Sax: We have to be laser focused on mobilizing vaccinations nationally and not expect the states to just figure it out. I feel optimistic that enough vaccine will be available by summer, possibly even by late spring, for everyone to be immunized.

(sidebar)After vaccination, is it safe* to…

• Visit family and friends? Wearing masks and social distancing is still necessary in large, public settings, but we can relax a bit in small group settings. Although the risk of interacting without masks is not zero, it is low, so go ahead and hug your grandchildren! And if you’re dining indoors with family, simply open the windows for good ventilation.
• Exercise? Yes, and no need to wear a mask if outdoors and you’re a decent distance away from people. At indoor gyms, wear a mask, keep your distance and avoid areas that are not well-ventilated.
• Eat at restaurants? Yes, if outdoors; no if indoors.
• Travel by air? Yes, with precautions. Surprisingly few transmission events haveoccurred aboard planes; however, the boarding process and airport experience are not well controlled, so stay masked and distanced.

Additional post-vaccination guidelines are available from the CDC.*Dr. Paul Sax, Guest Speaker, Lown Cardiology Group Health & Wellness Webinar (2.16.2021)

The post COVID-19 Vaccine Update appeared first on Specialdocs Consultants.

For more information on the benefits of Concierge Medicine, please visit Logan Square Medical Group. To enroll as a new patient, please call us directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Current patients with any health concerns, should call Dr. Brown’s office directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Thank you!

A Guide to the Power Players in Pain Relief

Which Pain Relievers Work Best?

When you reach for a pain reliever, what are you most likely to find in your medicine cabinet? And does it matter? While aspirin, Tylenol and Aleve may appear similar and aim for the same results, their effects can vary. Below is a quick guide to today’s most recognizable over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief products.

The effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in alleviating pain and reducing inflammation is well documented. They work by blocking the effects of specific enzymes to decrease the number of prostaglandins made in the body, which cause tissue to swell and increase the pain you experience. While widely used, it’s important to be aware of the limitations of these medications, most notably that all NSAIDs except aspirin carry an FDA warning for increased risk of heart attack, stroke or high blood pressure when used at high doses for long periods of time. They can also cause stomach upset, heartburn, and ulcers which may bleed; because they are blood thinners, should not be taken with medications such as Coumadin. Additionally, NSAIDs provide rapid pain relief for most, but may require a two-to-three week regimen to realize anti-inflammatory effects.

NSAIDs include:

Acetylsalicylic acid/aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin)
Aspirin, the first OTC pain reliever to be mass produced in the early 1900s, is still the most commonly used for headaches, minor aches and pains and inflammation. Unlike other NSAIDs, it is not associated with a higher risk of heart attack.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Ibuprofen is commonly used to treat pain and bring down fever, and alleviates symptoms of migraine, menstrual cramps, toothache, and inflammation with better results than aspirin. Some studies point to a lower risk of ibuprofen causing ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding than other NSAIDs.

Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Midol)
This NSAID is most effective for alleviating backaches, arthritis, sprains and other types of inflammatory-based pain. In comparable doses, naproxen has a longer-lasting effect than other pain relievers, lasting 8 to 12 hours versus 4 to 8.

The non-NSAID solution:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Anacin)
Tylenol, the most well-known brand of acetaminophen, is used to treat pain and reduce fever and is safe for both heart and gut. However, this non-NSAID can’t be used to relieve inflammation-related conditions. Also different from NSAIDs, acetaminophen is broken down and removed by the liver, and taking too much in a 24-hour period can cause liver damage. Be sure to read product labels carefully because acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin are often combined in products to treat cough, flu or sinus infection.

Which pain reliever should you take? There are no easy answers because individual responses to the same type and dose of medication can be considerably different. It’s sometimes necessary to try one drug and then another to determine optimal treatment; or consider prescription medications. Please call our office to discuss your best options.

New Perspectives on Aspirin

The long-accepted use of a daily low-dose aspirin to treat or prevent heart attacks or strokes was re-examined in light of recent studies showing the therapy’s heightened risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or hemorrhagic stroke outweighed its benefits for people who are healthy with no history of cardiovascular disease. Some experts now recommend daily aspirin therapy only for those who’ve already had a heart attack or stroke, a coronary artery stent or coronary bypass surgery, or are at a higher risk for coronary artery disease.

Always using pain relievers to bring down a fever has been challenged, somewhat controversially, by researchers including Dr. Paul Offit, vaccinologist at the University of Philadelphia and author of Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far. “Fever is a symptom that occurs for a reason,” he says. “The immune system actually works better at a high temperature, so treating a fever with aspirin can prolong or worsen illness.”

The post A Guide to the Power Players in Pain Relief appeared first on Specialdocs Consultants.

For more information on the benefits of Concierge Medicine, please visit Logan Square Medical Group. To enroll as a new patient, please call us directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Current patients with any health concerns, should call Dr. Brown’s office directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Thank you!

Antibiotics Awareness is Good for Your Health

Antibiotics Awareness

Spurred by Alexander Fleming’s serendipitous discovery of penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have rightfully become wonder drugs, often able to change the course of deadly bacterial infections in a matter of days. But in recent years, their unmatched healing power has become overprescribed and over utilized, leading to concerning findings like these: Nearly 23% of antibiotic prescriptions filled in 2016 were unnecessary, and an additional 36% were prescribed for conditions for which an antibiotic is only sometimes recommended, according to a recent study from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Antibiotics awareness is good for your health

Unintended consequences far from benign

Patients may needlessly experience the drug’s side effects, such as rash, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea or Clostridium difficile infection (C. diff), which can cause severe diarrhea and may be life-threatening. On a larger, global scale, overuse leads to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a growing danger that occurs when bacteria that have been exposed to an antibiotic mutate, rendering the drug ineffective against them. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that at least 2 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year in the US, resulting in approximately 23,000 deaths. In fact, Fleming himself predicted the possibility in his 1945 Nobel Prize acceptance speech, saying: “It is not difficult to make microbes resistant to penicillin in the laboratory by exposing them to concentrations not sufficient to kill them, and the same thing has occasionally happened in the body.”

Antibiotics: Handle With Care

That’s why the World Health Organization’s annual “Antibiotics: Handle With Care” campaign, launched in 2015, and the United States’ “Be Antibiotics Aware” program, launched the following year, are more important than ever in raising awareness as to why antibiotics aren’t always the answer. Becoming knowledgeable about the difference between bacterial and viral infections, and why an observational (“watch and wait”) approach to antibiotic treatment may be considered for conditions like sinusitis or ear infections, is critical to stemming the tide of overuse.

Below is a look at when antibiotics should be the treatment of choice, when they should be considered only after watching and waiting, or when they are not called for at all. Note that antibiotic drugs effectively kill bacteria but not viruses, which is why they are never recommended for viral infections such as colds or flu. However, not all bacterial infections require the use of antibiotics. As always, check-in with our office regarding what’s best for your individual health.

Sources: Up to Date, CDC

About that penicillin allergy

Most people who believe they’re allergic to penicillin can take it without a problem, either because of the rash, they experienced as part of a virus or because the allergy resolved over time. You may want to get tested by an allergist to be certain, as research shows that patients identified as penicillin-allergic are more likely to receive very powerful antibiotics with greater side effects, and are also at higher risk of developing resistant infections that require longer stays in the hospital. It’s interesting to note that when skin tested, approximately 90% of people will test negative for a penicillin allergy.

Did You Know?

Reactions from antibiotics cause 1 out of 5 medication-related visits to the emergency department.
Source: Centers for Disease Control

The post Antibiotics Awareness is Good for Your Health appeared first on Specialdocs Consultants.

For more information on the benefits of Concierge Medicine, please visit Logan Square Medical Group. To enroll as a new patient, please call us directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Current patients with any health concerns, should call Dr. Brown’s office directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Thank you!

Antibiotics: Are You Aware?

Are You Antibiotics Aware?

Spurred by Alexander Fleming’s serendipitous discovery of penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have rightfully become wonder drugs, often able to change the course of deadly bacterial infections in a matter of days. But in recent years, their unmatched healing power has become overprescribed and overutilized, leading to concerning findings like these: Nearly 23% of antibiotic prescriptions filled in 2016 were unnecessary, and an additional 36% were prescribed for conditions for which an antibiotic is only sometimes recommended, according to a recent study from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The unintended consequences are far from benign. Patients may needlessly experience the drug’s side effects, such as rash, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea or Clostridium difficile infection (C. diff), which can cause severe diarrhea and may be life-threatening. On a larger, global scale, overuse leads to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a growing danger that occurs when bacteria that have been exposed to an antibiotic mutate, rendering the drug ineffective against them. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that at least 2 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year in the US, resulting in approximately 23,000 deaths. In fact, Fleming himself predicted the possibility in his 1945 Nobel Prize acceptance speech, saying: “It is not difficult to make microbes resistant to penicillin in the laboratory by exposing them to concentrations not sufficient to kill them, and the same thing has occasionally happened in the body.”

That’s why the World Health Organization’s annual “Antibiotics: Handle With Care” campaign, launched in 2015, and the United States’ “Be Antibiotics Aware” program, launched the following year, are more important than ever in raising awareness as to why antibiotics aren’t always the answer. Becoming knowledgeable about the difference between bacterial and viral infections, and why an observational (“watch and wait”) approach to antibiotic treatment may be considered for conditions like sinusitis or ear infections, is critical to stemming the tide of overuse.

Below is a look at when antibiotics should be the treatment of choice, when they should be considered only after watching and waiting, or when they are not called for at all. Note that antibiotic drugs effectively kill bacteria but not viruses, which is why they are never recommended for viral infections such as colds or flu. However, not all bacterial infections require the use of antibiotics. As always, check-in with our office regarding what’s best for your individual health.

Sources: Up to Date, CDC

About that penicillin allergy
Most people who believe they’re allergic to penicillin can take it without a problem, either because of the rash, they experienced as part of a virus or because the allergy resolved over time. You may want to get tested by an allergist to be certain, as research shows that patients identified as penicillin-allergic are more likely to receive very powerful antibiotics with greater side effects, and are also at higher risk of developing resistant infections that require longer stays in the hospital. It’s interesting to note that when skin tested, approximately 90% of people will test negative for a penicillin allergy.

Did You Know?
Reactions from antibiotics cause
1 out of 5 medication-related visits to the emergency department.
Source: Centers for Disease Control

The post Antibiotics: Are You Aware? appeared first on Specialdocs Consultants.

For more information on the benefits of Concierge Medicine, please visit Logan Square Medical Group. To enroll as a new patient, please call us directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Current patients with any health concerns, should call Dr. Brown’s office directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Thank you!