Alzheimer's and cold sores: Are they linked?
Professor Tara Spires-Jones, from the University of Edinburgh, said: 'This is a well-conducted study adding to strong data in the field linking HSV-1 and other viral infections to increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, but it is important to note that HSV-1 infection, which is extremely common in the population, is by no means a guarantee that someone will develop Alzheimer's.
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Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Urgent contraception warning issued to 'skinny jab' users for one key reason
Weight-loss injections have become incredibly popular in the past year - but the government has warned that they can interact with contraception in new guidelines The government has issued a warning for women taking weight-loss injections and urged them to use effective contraception. A new notice from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said that one type of injection, Mounjaro, may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (the pill) in those who are overweight. Therefore, anyone taking Mounjaro who could get pregnant, should also use a non-oral form of contraception such as the implant, coil, or condoms. This is especially important for the four weeks after starting the injections and after any dose increase. The official government advice says: "Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in those who are overweight. Therefore, those taking Mounjaro who are overweight and are using an oral form of contraception are advised to also use a non-oral form of contraception. "This only applies to those taking Mounjaro and is especially important for the four weeks after starting Mounjaro and after any dose increase." Weight-loss drugs must also not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant, or during breastfeeding. If you get pregnant while on the injections, you should speak with your healthcare provider and stop the medicine as soon as possible, the government advised. It explained: 'This is because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby.' Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer, said: 'Skinny jabs are medicines licensed to treat specific medical conditions and should not be used as aesthetic or cosmetic treatments. They are not a quick fix to lose weight and have not been assessed to be safe when used in this way.' The new guidance also reminded patients that weight-loss medications should not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media. This exposes people wanting to lose weight to 'serious health risks' and is against the law. Legitimate medicines will be provided in pre-filled injection pens - meaning that products supplied as a powder in vials that need to be mixed with a liquid before injection are not authorised. There have also been reports of fake pre-filled pens that appear similar to the licensed medication. The MHRA warned that while these may look genuine, they 'can also be dangerous', adding: 'The only way to guarantee you receive a genuine GLP-1 medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy, including those trading online, with a prescription issued by a healthcare professional.' The guidelines also highlighted the importance of being able to recognise symptoms of acute pancreatitis - an uncommon complication that can develop. If you are on weight-loss injections and suddenly get severe pain in your abdomen and feel sick, you should seek immediate help. Dr Cave said: 'This guidance should not be used as a substitute to reading the patient information leaflet or having a conversation with a healthcare professional as part of the prescribing process.' If you are taking a GLP-1 medicine and are set to undergo a surgical procedure, you should inform your healthcare team. This is because the medicine slows the emptying of your stomach, which increases the risk that stomach contents could enter into your airway and lungs during surgery.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
From fat jabs to antibiotics – all the common medicines that can stop the pill working and get you pregnant
ACCIDENTLY falling pregnant isn't something most of us expect when we take antibiotics or antifungals for athlete's foot. But some medicines can stop the contraceptive pill from working properly, increasing the risk of an unplanned pregnancy. 3 Now, experts warn that even weight loss jabs like Wegovy and Ozempic could interfere with how well the pill works. Today, drug regulators cautioned that these popular treatments might reduce the pill's effectiveness, especially in women who are overweight or obese. This happens because common side effects of the jabs, like vomiting and diarrhoea, can stop the pill from being properly absorbed. The medicines also slow down how quickly the stomach empties, which can affect absorption. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which issued the warning, says women should continue using contraception while taking GLP-1 medicines. They also advise waiting before trying for a baby, two months after stopping Wegovy or Ozempic, and one month after stopping Mounjaro, also called the King-Kong jab for how effective it is. For women on the blockbuster jab who take the pill, it's recommended to use condoms for the first four weeks, or switch to a more reliable method like the coil or implant. So, what other drugs could have the same effect? Antibiotics Most antibiotics don't affect the pill, but rifampin, used to treat tuberculosis, is a known exception. Fertility Apps Impact: A Candid Look into Gen Z Contraception It speeds up how your body breaks down contraceptive hormones, making the pill less effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises using backup contraception while taking rifampin and for 28 days afterward. Epilepsy and seizure medications Some anti-seizure drugs like carbamazepine and phenytoin also interfere with the pill. Like rifampin, they speed up hormone metabolism, meaning the pill may not work as well. The Epilepsy Foundation warns that these medications can reduce the reliability of hormonal contraception. 3 Some drugs can stop the pill working properly Credit: Getty Antifungals Some antifungal drugs, such as griseofulvin and ketoconazole, are suspected to interfere with the pill. Griseofulvin is used to treat skin infections like athlete's foot and jock itch. Ketoconazole is generally used when other antifungals haven't worked. The Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) says there's not much solid proof that these drugs reduce the pill's effectiveness in real life. However, the British National Formulary (BNF) recommends using extra contraception during treatment and for one month afterward, just to be safe. HIV medications Certain HIV drugs drugs can affect the pill too. The Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) says some of these 'may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.' This includes treatments like darunavir (Prezista), efavirenz (Sustiva), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), and nevirapine (Viramune). They advise using condoms or switching to a non-hormonal method if you're on one of these medications. Stop the injections if you're pregnant DR Zoe Williams is The Sun's resident GP. Q: What if I am pregnant and taking fat jabs? The fact these drugs suppress appetite means the majority of women who got pregnant on them will have come off, because they are nourishing their baby. The advice is to come off them immediately if you're either pregnant or breastfeeding and speak to your doctor if you have any concerns. Q: Why has this advice been issued now? It is because not enough is known about the effect on pregnancy. It's not from studies that found any adverse effects. As a result, the advice is preventative until more is known. If women are on any weight loss jabs and want a baby, the advice is to come off it at least two months before trying. Q: Are fat jabs going to be the 'new thalidomide' scandal? No, the GLP-1 drugs are peptides that work by mimicking existing proteins in our bodies. In contrast, thalidomide is a drug that can affect blood vessel growth. It is not likely that the jabs would cause such significant birth defects, as seen with thalidomide. So far there has been no evidence of danger to the baby, despite many women getting pregnant on them. Q: I'm worried and don't know what to do? When news like this breaks, it is common to have patients get in touch with concerns. Stop taking the medication. But be reassured, there is nothing your GP or midwife will need to do urgently. If they are really concerned, they will get in touch. Modafinil (Provigil) Modafinil, used to treat sleep disorders like narcolepsy and sleep apnea, can also mess with the pill. It speeds up how your body processes hormones, which might make the pill less effective. The British National Formulary (BNF) suggests playing it safe by using extra contraception, like condoms, while on modafinil and for two months after stopping. Herbal remedies St John's Wort is a common herbal remedy for mild to moderate depression, but if you take it, be aware it can reduce the effectiveness of the pill. Like many of the other drugs listed here, it increases how quickly contraceptive hormones are broken down in the body. The MHRA warns that St John's Wort can interfere with hormonal contraceptives, so it's best to use a backup method like condoms while taking it.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Mounjaro side effect warning as new guidance issued to women
Women who have been prescribed Mounjaro are being advised to use a barrier form of contraception and not rely on oral contraception The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued new advice for women who take a popular weight loss drug. Women using popular weight loss and diabetes medications are being advised to use effective contraception while taking these medications and, in some cases, for up to two months after stopping the treatment before attempting to conceive. These medications are not advised during pregnancy, while trying to conceive, or while breastfeeding. If pregnancy occurs while taking these medications, women should consult their doctor and discontinue the medication as soon as possible, as there is insufficient safety data to determine whether the medication may harm the baby. Effective contraception includes oral (the pill) and non-oral (implant, coil, or condoms) methods. However, it is recommended that those who are overweight, taking Mounjaro and using oral contraception should also use a non-oral form of contraception. This advice is particularly important for the four weeks following the initiation of Mounjaro and any subsequent dose increase. This guidance, already outlined in the patient information leaflets, is part of the latest recommendations from the MHRA on the safe use of "GLP-1 medicines", which are known by the brand names Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Victoza. The complete guidance is available on the MHRA website, following concerns from the UK regulator that some individuals are not safely using these medicines for weight loss and diabetes. Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer said: "Skinny jabs are medicines licensed to treat specific medical conditions and should not be used as aesthetic or cosmetic treatments. They are not a quick fix to lose weight and have not been assessed to be safe when used in this way. "Our guidance offers patients a 'one stop shop' for our up-to-date advice on how to use these powerful medicines safely. This guidance should not be used as a substitute to reading the patient information leaflet or having a conversation with a healthcare professional as part of the prescribing process." A statement on the website reads: "Alongside advice on contraceptive use, the MHRA reminds patients that these medicines should not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media, or taken without a prior consultation with a healthcare professional. Not only does this expose people wanting to lose weight to serious health risks, but it is also against the law to sell these medicines in this way. "The only way to guarantee receiving a genuine GLP-1 medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy. The guidance also reminds patients of the symptoms to look out for in the event of acute pancreatitis, which, although uncommon, can be serious. The main symptom of this is severe pain in the stomach that radiates to the back and doesn't go away." It adds: "Anyone who experiences this should seek immediate medical help." People who suspect that they've had an adverse reaction to a GLP-1 medicine, or suspect it is not a genuine product, should report it to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 or GLP-1 RAs) are medications that assist people in feeling full by imitating a natural hormone that is released after eating. Some of the more recent medications, such as Mounjaro, also target a second hormone that plays a role in regulating appetite and blood sugar levels. These have been labelled in the media as "weight loss injections" or "skinny jabs"; however, not all of them have received approval for weight loss. The full guidance can be found on the MHRA's website. Use of these medicines is not a quick fix to lose weight and the MHRA has not assessed the safety and effectiveness of these medicines when used by people who do not meet the medical requirements.
