Latest news with #ChristopherSullivan
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Experts warn against anxiety drug prescribed to millions due to little-known risk of 'toxic overdose'
Experts have issued a safety warning over a popular anxiety medication that can cause 'toxic' effects including seizures, depression and even cardiac arrest in high doses. Beta blockers, such as propranolol, have traditionally been prescribed for heart problems, but are increasingly offered by doctors to treat episodes of anxiety—as they slow the heart rate, supposedly reducing the physical symptoms of panic. Recent British research showed the number of prescriptions for propananol to treat anxiety doubled between 2003 and 2018. Roughly 7million prescriptions for the drug—which is also given for high blood pressure—are dispensed in the UK every year, according to official data. But now, experts say not only is there 'no evidence' to prove the drugs work for anxiety, too few patients, who are typically given large numbers of pills, are warned of the risk of overdose. In a recent letter to The Guardian, pharmacist Christopher Sullivan warned that the drug 'is associated with significant adverse outcomes' and urged GPs to exercise 'extreme caution when prescribing these medicines for anxiety'. 'Prescribing these medicines for anxiety is not recommended in national evidence-based guidelines,' he added. It followed comments from GP Dr Amir Khan, who told the newspaper that propananol had been linked to 'higher rates of depression' and warned GPs not to prescribe it to anxious patients who also suffer low mood. 'If you are taking them long term, you can't suddenly stop them,' he added. 'You need to be weaned off them.' The risks are not thought to pertain to those taking the medicine for heart problems and other physical issues like migraine—but experts say patients with mental health troubles are vulnerable to either accidentally or purposefully taking an overdose. The pharmacist's warning comes amid two high profile deaths related to the drug including accidental overdoses. In 2019, an inquest heard a mother-of-two, who was an NHS manager, accidentally overdosed on propranolol which she was initially prescribed for anxiety in 2018. Philippa Hulme, 46, died less than two hours after taking the lethal dose, with tests showing toxic levels in her system. A statement from Mrs Hulme's GP surgery said: 'Pippa had a history anxiety and depression and was well known to the practice. 'In July 2018 she was prescribed anxiety medication— propranolol and was given 60 tablets to take—one a day a maximum of two in 24 hours.' The coroner concluded that her death was most likely explained by an 'exacerbation' of anxiety that led her to 'consider it would be beneficial if she took more tablets to help her with the anxiety. 'I do not consider that she knew how toxic propranolol can be.' Another heartbreaking case is that of a mother-of-five who is thought to have accidentally killed herself with propranolol. A 2015 inquest heard how Janine Southwell, 37, a former beauty therapist was prescribed the drug, which she was 'reckless' about taking. She was found dead in bed, in August in 2015, with almost five times the potentially fatal level of the medication in her blood after a meal and glass of wine with her cousin. Her mother Janet Southwell said: 'She didn't take tablets when she was supposed to so she could have had a stockpile.' The coroner, Alan Walsh, concluded Ms Southwell did not intend to end her life. The fresh warnings follow guidance published by the General Pharmaceutical Council in October last year that warned about the 'wide variation' in individuals' response to toxic levels of propanolol. 'Peak plasma concentrations of propranolol occur 1-2 hours after ingestion, so symptoms of overdose will not be seen immediately,' the warning read. 'Rapid deterioration can occur following a propranolol overdose, this can include confusion and loss of consciousness as well as cardiovascular complications including cardiac arrest. 'As propranolol can cross the blood brain barrier, the risk of convulsions is higher than with other beta blockers. 'Delay in treatment increases the risk of fatality, therefore it is important to seek emergency help as soon as possible following overdose.' The danger of toxic propranolol overdose was a subject of the healthcare safety investigation report in 2020. This report revealed that vulnerable patients with existing migraines, anxiety and depression were at risk of using propranolol for self-harm. In 2022 to 2023, the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) received 358 enquiries involving intentional propranolol overdose.
The Guardian
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Dangers of using beta blockers to treat anxiety
Your article (I'm taking beta blockers for my anxiety – and so are many of my friends. Is that a problem?, 20 May) highlights the increasing use of beta blockers, especially to manage situational anxiety. These medicines are the subject of a healthcare safety investigation report in 2020, specifically the toxicity of propranolol in overdose. In October 2024, the General Pharmaceutical Council published advice for pharmacy professionals also highlighting the risk of toxicity. GPs must exercise extreme caution when prescribing these medicines for anxiety, which is not recommended in national evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of anxiety and is associated with significant adverse outcomes. Christopher Sullivan Pharmacist, Newton Abbot, Devon After being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation in 2020, I was prescribed beta blockers to lower my heart rate. I hated taking them as they made my symptoms – tiredness and brain fog – much worse. I stopped taking them and now have a pacemaker. I'm astounded to read that they are routinely prescribed for anxiety. I understand the need for a quick fix, but long term there have to be better coping strategies than taking medication for which there is 'no conclusive evidence' for its effectiveness and might be linked to higher rates of Richardson London Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Mint
20-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
America's fiscal situation threatens the good mood on Wall Street
The U.S.'s deteriorating fiscal situation is threatening to spoil Wall Street's good mood. Investors sold U.S. government bonds and the dollar on Monday, after Moody's Ratings late last week stripped the U.S. of its last triple-A credit rating, citing large budget deficits and rising interest costs. Adding to the nerves about America's debt trajectory, the House Budget Committee approved a tax-and-spending bill Sunday that is projected to add trillions of dollars to those deficits. Though stocks ended the session higher, selling pushed up yields on longer-term Treasurys, which rise when bond prices fall. The yield on the 30-year bond briefly topped 5% before settling just below that threshold, still near its highest level of the year. The yield gains extended a weekslong climb, fueled by a mix of receding recession fears, persistent worries about inflation and growing concerns that wider deficits will necessitate ever-larger bond auctions. A bigger supply of Treasurys can outstrip demand, forcing the government to pay higher interest rates to attract investors. The size of recent budget deficits have been particularly alarming for investors. That is because they have come while the economy is strong, rather than in a recession, when tax revenues typically plunge and the government ramps up spending to revive growth and help the unemployed. 'If we're putting up deficits of this type now, what might it be like when the economy does run into any form of trouble?" said Christopher Sullivan, chief investment officer for the United Nations Federal Credit Union. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond settled at 4.937%, according to Tradeweb. That was up from 4.786% at the end of last year. The yield on the 10-year note settled at 4.473%, up from 4.437% Friday and less than 4.2% at the end of April. The rise in yields has hardly slowed stocks, which have rebounded in recent weeks after the Trump administration walked back some aggressive tariff policies and investors' fears of a recession eased. Still, investors are keeping a watchful eye on Treasury yields, which play a major role in determining borrowing costs across the economy. The S&P 500 rose 0.1% Monday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.3%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was flat. Heading into this year, many analysts argued that one of the biggest risks to stocks would be a jump in Treasury yields if Republicans passed tax cuts without offsetting their cost. Those worries faded to the background when President Trump announced huge new tariffs on April 2, raising immediate concerns that the economy could be driven into a recession. But they have resurfaced lately, even before the Moody's downgrade, while the long-awaited tax-cut legislation has taken shape in Congress. After clearing its latest hurdle on Sunday, the House is expected to vote as soon as this week on a proposal that would extend expiring tax cuts, add some new ones and reduce spending on Medicaid and nutrition assistance. It is expected to increase budget deficits by about $3 trillion over the next decade, compared with a scenario where the tax cuts expire as scheduled Dec. 31. The U.S. has a longstanding imbalance between the money it spends and what it collects from taxes. Publicly held federal debt stands at about $29 trillion, nearly double the level when Trump signed his original tax cut in 2017. Nearly $1 in every $7 the U.S. spends goes toward paying interest, more than the country spends on defense. Moody's Ratings stripped the U.S. of its last triple-A credit rating late Friday. Fiscal concerns threaten to revive the 'Sell America" trade that emerged last month, when investors worried that isolationist trade policies could lead to a global capital war that would result in foreign investors dumping U.S. assets, including Treasurys. 'It adds further fuel to the 'Sell U.S.' trade, and you're seeing that reflected," said Michael Arone, chief investment strategist at State Street Global Advisors. 'Investors are waiting and seeing what happens with policy; they're waiting and seeing what happens with interest rates," Arone said. 'That's uncomfortable, and I think that's ultimately what is being reflected in markets." Several investors noted that concerns about the U.S.'s fiscal standing have plagued investors for years without causing extended disruptions to stocks. They said factors including changes in trade policy are more likely to move markets in the short term. 'The market has no idea what to focus on, and it keeps having to shift," said Kevin Gordon, senior investment strategist at Charles Schwab. 'Tariffs will probably still be number one on that list." Write to Sam Goldfarb at and Hannah Erin Lang at
Associated Press
30-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Avalo Therapeutics to Participate in The Citizens Life Sciences Conference
WAYNE, Pa. and ROCKVILLE, Md., April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avalo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVTX), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the treatment of immune dysregulation, today announced that Dr. Garry Neil, Chief Executive Officer of Avalo, will present at the Citizens Life Sciences Conference in New York on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 3:00 pm ET. Live webcasts and replays, when available, can be found under 'News / Events' in the Investors section of the Avalo Therapeutics website at The archived webcast will be available for replay for at least 30 days. About Avalo Therapeutics Avalo Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the treatment of immune dysregulation. Avalo's lead asset is AVTX-009, an anti-IL-1β mAb, targeting inflammatory diseases. For more information about Avalo, please visit About AVTX-009 AVTX-009 is a humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG4) that binds to interleukin-1β (IL-1β) with high affinity and neutralizes its activity. IL-1β is a central driver in the inflammatory process. Overproduction or dysregulation of IL-1β is implicated in many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. IL-1β is a major, validated target for therapeutic intervention. There is evidence that inhibition of IL-1β could be effective in hidradenitis suppurativa and a variety of inflammatory diseases in dermatology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology. For media and investor inquiries Christopher Sullivan, CFO Avalo Therapeutics, Inc. [email protected] 410-803-6793 or Meru Advisors Lauren Glaser [email protected]
BBC News
05-03-2025
- BBC News
Haul of blank firing guns handed into Nottinghamshire police
More than 40 guns which fire blanks and hundreds of rounds of ammunition have been handed into Nottinghamshire Police during a four week national amnesty. Forces across the country have taken part in the amnesty with the aim of removing 'top venting blank firers' (TVBFs) from circulation. It followed tests from the National Crime Agency which found four Turkish-manufactured TVBFs - 'Retay', 'Ekol', 'Ceonic' and 'Blow' - could be converted into viable handguns. TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK unless they can be converted into a viable firearm, which means the four brands of Turkish TVBF were declared illegal from 28 February. The national amnesty ran from 4 February to 28 February and resulted in 42 blank firers and more than 500 rounds of blank and live ammunition being turned in at police stations across Nottinghamshire. Det Supt Christopher Sullivan, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "We are pleased by the results of this amnesty which have allowed us to take more than 40 potential weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition off the streets and out of harm's way."
