Rx Lately

Timely news across medicine, policy, and drug discovery.
Clear, visual, data-driven stories shaping the future of health.

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Neuralink’s brain implant is now in early human trials.

1,024-channel wireless device placed in the motor cortex.
First patient achieved 8.0 bits/sec cursor control before signal loss, later partially restored.

https://t.co/WvEGJPqA9o NCT06429735, Nature 2023
#Neurotechnology

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Neuralink’s brain implant is now in early human trials.

1,024-channel wireless device placed in the motor cortex.
First patient achieved 8.0 bits/sec cursor control before signal loss, later partially restored.

https://t.co/WvEGJPr7YW NCT06429735, Nature 2023
#Neurotechnology

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Aid-in-dying is legal in 11 states + DC. Patients must be terminally ill, capable, and able to self-administer.
Modern drug mixes (sedatives, opioids, cardiotoxins) cause coma, apnea, and arrhythmias. Median time to death: ~53 min.

Oregon Health Authority 2024, JAMA

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Nicotine pouches: fewer toxicants than cigarettes, but not risk-free.
Still addictive, linked to oral irritation, and long-term effects remain unknown.

Source: JAMA, FDA
#NicotinePouches #Tobacco #Zyn

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Sunscreen chemicals don’t just stay on your skin.

JAMA trials found avobenzone, oxybenzone & others in the bloodstream above FDA safety thresholds.
No proven harm but enough for the FDA to tighten rules on SPF, UVA standards & dosage forms.

Source: JAMA 2020
#sunscreen #FDA

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Can rapamycin slow aging?

Strong animal data show extended lifespan via mTOR inhibition.
In humans, early trials show immune & skin benefits but no proven effect on aging or lifespan yet.

Source: Lancet Healthy Longevity, 2023
#Longevity #Rapamycin

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Could common blood pressure drugs help protect against dementia?

New evidence shows intensive BP control (<130/80) cut dementia risk by ~15% in large clinical trials. Even modest reductions may protect memory and cognition.

Nature Medicine, 2025; JAMA, 2020

#Dementia #HTN

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Insulin without injections?

FDA-cleared patch pumps like CeQur Simplicity® and V-Go® are here today.
Microneedle insulin patches are showing promise in early studies.
A true needle-free skin patch is still in development.

Source: JAMA Netw Open 2024
#DiabetesCare #Endocrinology

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Can statins like Lipitor® lower cancer risk?

Proven to protect the heart
Neutral for cancer in randomized trials
Observational studies suggest benefits in liver, colon (colitis), breast, prostate

Source: Lancet CTT Collaboration, 2012

#Statins #Cancer #Lipitor

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Long-term use of PPIs like omeprazole, lansoprazole, and esomeprazole is linked to increased risks:
• Fractures & osteoporosis
• B12 deficiency
• C. difficile infection

Use only when indicated, at the lowest effective dose.
(Source: JAMA, FDA)

#PPIs #Gastroenterology

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Saxenda (liraglutide) now has an FDA-approved generic.

Same active drug. Same safety. Same effectiveness. Lower cost.

Generics can expand access for millions who couldn’t afford brand-name GLP-1s.

Source: FDA; JAMA SCALE trial

#GLP1 #GenericDrugs #Obesity

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Women have 20–30% lower creatine turnover and intake.

Clinical trial: Creatine (5 g/day) + Lexapro® improved depression outcomes in women.

Safe, evidence-based, 3–5 g/day may also support mood, cognition, and energy.

Source: Am J Psychiatry, 2012

#WomensHealth #Creatine

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

New trial: Nitrous oxide showed promise in treatment-resistant depression.

38% remission after 1 session vs 13% control
~20% remission overall, another ~20% improved
Rapid but still experimental, larger trials needed

Myles PS, et al. Biol Psychiatry Glob Open Sci. 2025

#Psych

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Mediterranean diet may cut dementia risk by ~35% in APOE4 carriers, the gene most strongly linked to Alzheimer’s.

Foods like fish, nuts, olive oil, fruits, and whole grains aren’t just heart-healthy; they may also protect the brain.

Nature Medicine, 2025

#Alzheimers #Diet

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Exclusive vaping lowers toxin exposure by ~60–70% compared to smoking.

But dual users (smoking + vaping) show nearly the same toxin levels as smokers.

Less harm ≠ no harm. Long-term safety is still uncertain.

Source: JAMA Open (PATH), Cochrane

#Smoking #Vaping #PublicHealth

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Amish children have 4–6x lower rates of asthma and allergies compared to other US kids.

Early exposure to farm dust and microbes helps “train” the immune system.
Research is exploring how to deliver these protective effects safely outside farm settings.

NEJM, 2016
#Allergies

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

Metformin (Glucophage®) is a proven diabetes drug.

But in breast cancer, the MA.32 trial (JAMA, 2022) showed no overall survival benefit.
A possible signal in HER2+ patients remains exploratory.

Evidence matters. Use where indicated.

#Oncology #Metformin #Cancer

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

ATOMIC-Meso: Adding ADI-PEG20 to chemotherapy improved outcomes in non-epithelioid mesothelioma.

Median OS: 9.3 vs 7.7 months
3-year OS: 11.9% vs 3.3%

The most significant advance in 20 years.
Source: JAMA Oncology, 2024

#Mesothelioma #Oncology #Cancer

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

FDA approves Tevimbra (tislelizumab) + chemo for advanced ESCC with PD-L1 ≥1%.

RATIONALE-306:
• Median OS 17.2 vs 10.6 mo
• HR 0.66 (P=0.0001)
• Clear benefit in PD-L1+ tumors

Source: FDA, Lancet Oncol 2023

#Oncology #CancerResearch #ESCC

[Rx Lately @rxlately]

New-onset diabetes in adults ≥50 can be a red flag for pancreatic cancer.

Relative risk: 6–8× higher
Absolute risk: ~1 in 100 within 3 yrs
Most cases appear in the 1st year, especially with weight loss or rapid A1c rise.
JAMA Oncol 2020; Gastroenterology 2025
#PancreaticCancer