Use of common painkillers alongside hormonal contraception linked to heightened risk of blood clots

Absolute risk remains low but women should be advised accordingly, say researchers Women who use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers alongside hormonal contraception appear to be at a small increased risk of blood clots known as venous thromboembolism (VTE), finds a large Danish study published by The BMJ today. The risk was greater in ...

2024-06-04T10:24:30+00:007 September 2023|Press release, The BMJ|

Unreliable private online hormone tests sold for many months despite accuracy concerns

This press release was updated on 31 August 2023 to reflect further information provided by Eurofins County Pathology and to include a statement from the company Potentially unreliable online tests for oestrogen were sold for many months despite questions raised over their accuracy Misleading results could impact decisions around drugs ...

2024-06-04T10:24:31+00:006 September 2023|Press release, The BMJ|

Avoid cannabis during adolescence, pregnancy and while driving, say experts

Links to poor mental health, car crashes, and harm to unborn children, but cannabis compounds can help with epilepsy and chronic pain Experts recommend avoiding cannabis during adolescence and early adulthood, in people prone to or with mental health disorders, in pregnancy, and before and while driving, based on an ...

2024-06-04T10:25:31+00:006 September 2023|Press release, The BMJ|

Alarm as FDA fast-tracks first antipsychotic for dementia agitation

Investigation raises serious questions about the harm-benefit balance of Rexulti Decision may reverse efforts to reduce use of antipsychotics in US care homes In trials, the antipsychotic drug brexpiprazole (Rexulti) failed to provide a clinically meaningful benefit and increased the risk of death. Yet the US Food and Drug Administration ...

2025-06-25T13:21:06+00:0018 August 2023|Press release, The BMJ|

The BMJ’s editor-in-chief urges royal colleges to improve transparency on payments

Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and its members urged to establish a standard for transparently disclosing payments The BMJ’s editor in chief is urging the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and its members to establish a standard for declaring payments they receive from industry and patient groups in the wake of ...

2024-06-04T10:25:07+00:0017 August 2023|Press release, The BMJ|

Cancer death risk after low-dose ionising radiation underestimated

Findings should inform rules on workplace protection from low-dose radiation, say researchers Prolonged exposure to low-dose ionising radiation is associated with a higher risk of death from cancer than previously thought, suggests research tracking the deaths of workers in the nuclear industry, published in The BMJ today. The findings should inform current ...

2024-06-04T10:23:32+00:0017 August 2023|Press release, The BMJ|

Smartphone app may help heavy and binge drinkers to drink less

University students given alcohol intervention app reported cutting down on their overall drinking and frequency of binge drinking Access to a smartphone alcohol intervention app helped university students to cut down their overall alcohol consumption and the number of days they drank heavily, suggests a study published in The BMJ today. Unhealthy ...

2024-06-04T10:24:06+00:0017 August 2023|Press release, The BMJ|

People with a hepatitis C cure still face substantial risk of death

Findings highlight importance of ongoing post-cure support Individuals who have been cured of hepatitis C infection still face a substantially greater risk of death compared with the general population - between 3 and 14 times higher depending on liver disease stage, finds the largest study of its kind published by The ...

2024-06-04T10:23:32+00:003 August 2023|Press release, The BMJ|

New studies shed more light on potential risks of antenatal steroids

Results suggest need for greater awareness when considering steroid treatment Two new studies published by The BMJ today examine the potential health risks for infants of giving steroid drugs to women who are at risk of giving birth early.  Taken together, the results highlight the need for doctors to be aware of ...

2024-06-04T10:24:31+00:003 August 2023|Press release, The BMJ|

Medical royal colleges receive millions from drug/medical device companies

But payments are not always made public and critics say voluntary industry transparency initiatives don’t go far enough Royal colleges in the UK have received more than £9 million in marketing payments from drug and medical devices companies since 2015, but do not always disclose the payments publicly, finds an ...

2024-06-04T10:24:32+00:0027 July 2023|Press release, The BMJ|
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