Latest news with #medication
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Biden says he has started cancer treatment: ‘The prognosis is good'
Former president Joe Biden, in his first public comments since announcing his prostate cancer diagnosis this month, said Friday that 'we're going to be able to beat this,' adding that he has started taking a sequence of medications and is working with a leading surgeon. 'The prognosis is good. We're working on everything. It's moving along, and I feel good. All the folks are very optimistic,' Biden, 82, told reporters after speaking at a Memorial Day event in his home state of Delaware.
Medical News Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Medical News Today
Namenda cost 2025: Savings tips and more
The cost of Namenda can vary based on several factors, including the form you take and your insurance coverage. Coupons and drug savings programs can also lower the price you'll pay for Namenda. As with all medications, the cost of Namenda can vary. Factors that may affect the price for Namenda you'll pay include: your treatment plan your insurance coverage the pharmacy you use whether Namenda has a savings program (see the 'Financial and insurance assistance' section) To find out what the cost of Namenda will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. This section also has information about how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon. To save money on your Namenda prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons. The active ingredient of Namenda is memantine. It's available as the generic drug memantine. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. If your doctor has prescribed Namenda and you're interested in using memantine instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You'll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other. To find out how the cost of this generic drug compares with the cost of Namenda, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS? Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug's patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don't require the same costly testing. If you take Namenda long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Namenda. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you're interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Namenda may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug's cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order. If you don't have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you. You may want to consider the following information if you have insurance and receive Namenda. If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Namenda. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Namenda in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Namenda requires prior authorization. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Alzheimer's / Dementia Pharmacy / Pharmacist Drugs
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
I lost five stone on a weight loss jab...but there's an alarming truth about what happens when you stop
A man who shed five stone in a year thanks to a skinny jab has told of how he fears he will have to be on the drug for life—after he regained half the weight in months when he tried to stop the medication. John Kane, 76, from Dublin, weighed nearly 19 stone and plummeted to under 14 within a year of taking liraglutide in 2016. Liraglutide works in a similar way to semaglutide—the generic name for Ozempic—triggering the release of the hormone GLP-1 that makes us feel full. The jabs, which he obtained privately, initially vastly improved Mr Kane's life. The medication helped get his type 2 diabetes into remission, and enjoy active social excursions that he couldn't before, including hikes in Spain. Despite the success, he decided to stop the injections in 2018 due to the eye-watering £232 a month cost. Speaking to the Irish Independent, he said his raging appetite returned with a vengeance almost immediately. 'I had really put a lot of effort into the last two years, and was determined not to put back on the weight,' he said. 'But whether I liked it or not, even watching my food, the weight just started to creep back up.' Within six months, Mr Kane had regained half the weight he'd lost. The major setback caused him to 'hit the rocks, mentally'. 'It was really affecting me,' he said. 'I'm not one to be depressed, but it really bit into me.' After six months without the medicine, Mr Kane's wife suggested he 'bite the bullet' and pay for more injections, to stop the decline of his health. When semaglitude, better known as Ozempic, was rolled out at a cheaper cost of £118, it became a more affordable option. He has now been on taking the medication for nearly eight years—a maintenance dose of 1mg a week. He has no plans to stop again and said if he were to ever come off he'd become a 'very sad, dejected, depressed person.' Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic have burst onto the scene in recent years, hailed as a potential fix for the UK's spiraling obesity crisis. Semaglutide mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a naturally occurring hormone released in the small intestine when you eat. It tells your brain you're full and slows digestion. After years of rigorous scientific trials, semaglutide has been chemically modified to last far longer than the body's own, short-lived supply of GLP-1. As a result, it keeps people feeling fuller for longer. US researchers at Cornell University in New York found those on the injections typically lost lost around 13.7 per cent of their body weight, on average, over a 72-week period. But a study in the journal Epic Research found that 44 per cent of people who lost at least five pounds using semaglutide and then stopped the drug regained at least 25 per cent of their lost weight within a year. Dr Emma Cunningham, an aesthetics expert who treats patients suffering cosmetic complications of Ozempic, said some choose to go on a maintenance dose and wean off the drug that way. 'You can't be solely reliant on the drug,' she said. 'You need to be using this as an opportunity to address your lifestyle. Our most successful patients will have really gotten on board with healthy eating and exercise.' She said the jabs help people stay motivated to make a change to a healthy lifestyle because they are seeing rapid weight loss. It's those who become completely reliant on the drug, and fail to make lifestyle changes, who end up putting the weight back on, Dr Cuningham said. Scientists at Oxford University discovered the effects of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are short-lived if patients do not maintain a healthy lifestyle afterwards. Even those taking newer, more powerful jabs drugs like Mounjaro put their weight back on once treatment was removed.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Travel warning for Brits on weight loss jabs as little-known 'breach' could cost you thousands
British tourists have been warned about a travel insurance issue that could cost them thousands. 'Skinny jabs' such as Ozempic and Mounjaro need to be declared on any official insurance documents. Niraj Mamtora, director at Forum Insurance, has warned that failing to declare weight management drugs when you take out travel insurance could be considered a breach of contract. He told Birmingham Live: 'Weight-loss medications are transforming lives across the UK, but too many travellers don't realise the insurance implications. 'If you're using these drugs, you must declare both the medication and the condition it's prescribed for. 'Failure to do so is not a minor oversight - it's a serious breach of your travel insurance contract.' The expert explained that tourists could see their 'claim refused' and 'policy cancelled' if they don't declare their medication. Niraj added: 'Non-disclosure is a gamble that's simply not worth taking. If you don't declare your medication or the underlying condition, your insurer is within their rights to refuse any claim, even if it seems unrelated. 'Many travellers only discover too late that their travel insurance claims are rejected, leaving them without support and facing potentially huge bills.' The warning comes as the firm reports that a 'growing trend' in people using weight-loss jabs could only make insurance issues more likely. 'Carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor's letter when travelling with medication, and check the rules of your destination country regarding bringing in prescription drugs,' advised Niraj. 'Remember that insurance claims related to undeclared conditions or medications can be refused, even if the issue seems unrelated.'
CNET
5 days ago
- Climate
- CNET
Prepare for a Summer Blackout: 9 Tips for Staying Cool and Safe With No A/C
Summer will be here before we know it, and in addition to all the fun things we can do to get ready, it's important we also prepare ourselves for summer blackouts. A blackout can occur because of excessive energy demand for electricity (such as when everyone is using their air conditioners), severe weather, wildfires and infrastructure malfunctions such as a downed power line. Preparedness is particularly important when you consider that, according to the US Energy Information Administration, the average blackout is over five hours. That means over five hours in the summer heat without A/C, which can lead to health complications. Fortunately, there are ways you can keep yourself and others cool -- both physically and mentally -- during a summer blackout. 1. Have an emergency kit ready An emergency kit is simple to build and doesn't cost much money. You can even buy one at big-box retailers. They include Band-Aids, gauze, ointments, butterfly bandages and more. If you or someone else in your home takes medication, you'll also want to pack an extra supply into the kit. On top of this, you'll want to prepare for a prolonged summer blackout. Have at least one gallon of drinking water available per person for at least a few days. Also, consider buying a well-insulated cooler and storing ice packs in the freezer. These can help keep any medications requiring lower temperatures cool and can prevent you from overheating. You'll also want access to non-perishable food items. Keep a supply of canned goods, dry cereal, nuts, snacks and other shelf-stable items that don't require cooking. 2. Contact your utility company Have your utility company's number available to report the outage. While they might already know of your situation, informing them gives them a better idea of the outage's scope. In some instances, they might provide an estimate for when your power will return. This is vital information to have, as it can help prepare you for a prolonged outage if one happens. 3. Check on relatives, friends and neighbors If the summer blackout is widespread, affecting loved ones or friends, connect with them and see if they're OK. Outages can especially affect those with medical conditions, children and older adults. Therefore, ensuring they have a place to go with air conditioning and enough water is paramount. If the whole neighborhood is out of power, check with your local Red Cross or the news about nearby areas like libraries or schools that have power and are open to the public. These sanctuaries ensure people with medical conditions have someplace cool to rest until power is back on. doble-d/Getty Images 4. Get ready for outages longer than expected For those living in areas with more inclement weather, preparing for prolonged outages is ideal. Along with following these tips, you'll want to inspect your fridge and freezer to toss food you can't properly store without power before it decays. If you can afford it, consider buying an ice chest to store frozen and refrigerated goods. And if you have a grill, you have an outside cooking source to use up meat and veggies before they expire. If you can't afford an ice chest, keep meats, fruits and vegetables in coolers. Moreover, if you live in areas where prolonged outages happen often, like Houston, you should consider a home generator. Although they are expensive, they can also provide a much-needed sanctuary when your home runs out of power and will be out for an extended period of time. 5. Have other light sources Store a flashlight in every room of your home. That way, when the power goes out, you'll have lighting in every room. If you don't want to mess with batteries, consider motion-powered options. However, if you select battery-powered flashlights, keep a fresh supply of batteries on hand. Alternatively, you could also use candles as light sources. Stock matchsticks or check on your lighter to ensure it works and doesn't need lighter fluid. Before lighting a candle, move around your room and check for gas leaks (if applicable).6. Install blackout curtains Blackout curtains achieve several goals. They prevent light from entering your room by blocking out UV rays and exterior light from other sources. They work as another layer of protection for rooms with blinds, where gaps can allow light to shine through. Since blackout curtains also reflect heat, they'll keep that area of your home cooler during a summer blackout. If you have someone with a medical condition or heat sensitivity, you'll want to place them in a room with blackout curtains during a power outage. 7. Wear cooling clothes When the power goes out, it won't take long for your home to heat up. One way to combat the heat is to wear cooling clothes, which dissipate heat and promote airflow, helping you to remain comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. Usually, cooling clothes have three properties: Breathable materials: By allowing for more airflow, these materials prevent sweat from sticking to your skin, so you'll cool off quickly. You should refrain from wearing fabrics containing wool or polyester since they'll make you sweatier. Moisture-wicking capabilities: When your body overheats, sweat is created to cool it down. However, if you're wearing non-cooling clothing, you'll be uncomfortable because the fabric won't remove the moisture from your skin. Cooling clothing achieves this by using hydrophobic fibers to repel the sweat from your clothing and skin, allowing your body to cool down without feeling bogged down. Temperature regulation: You'll want to wear clothes that evaporate sweat quickly, contain higher thermal connectivity and have thermal convection. When you put on a cooler material, your body feels cooler since heat goes from the warmest parts of your clothing to the coolest.8. Keep devices charged with portable chargers Having cell service is akin to a bodily function for most of us. However, when the lights go out and you don't have access to a power source, then anxiety can be induced. After all, you don't want a dead phone battery to prevent you from contacting friends and loved ones, and if you need them, emergency personnel. That's why you'll want to have backup charging solutions ready to go. Power banks are a wise choice if you keep them charged before an outage occurs. That way you can plug in your smartphone and remain connected. You can also buy battery-powered or hand-crank phone chargers. With either option, you don't have to worry about them being plugged in and powered before an outage. Just be sure to have fresh batteries on hand for battery-powered options. 9. Recognize the signs of heat stroke During hotter months, and especially when a summer blackout takes out your A/C, it's vital to know the signs of heat stroke. If you notice someone starting to feel disoriented or appear flushed, you'll want them to rest someplace cooler, apply a cold pack or towel to their skin and call 9-1-1. You don't want to give them water to drink, as they may be confused and unable to swallow safely. These are other symptoms of heat stroke to keep an eye out for, per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Slurred speech Loss of consciousness (coma) Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating Seizures Very high body temperature Also, if you have older neighbors or those with mobility disabilities, check on them regularly. Doing so can help you identify signs of heat stroke and address the situation before it becomes even more dangerous.
