A closer look at today’s biggest health headlines, from a federal peptide vote to a new option for veterans and hazy skies overhead.
CLEVELAND — A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel has voted in favor of allowing pharmacies to compound six wellness peptides, though the FDA still has to give final sign-off before they’re available.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins in the body. While the compounds aren’t currently FDA-approved, they’ve surged in popularity — influencers, athletes and some doctors say they help reduce inflammation, speed recovery and support longevity.
Compounding pharmacies prepare custom medications for patients using specific ingredients based on a doctor’s prescription. FDA scientists reviewing the evidence have noted that much of the data so far comes from animal studies, with limited research in humans, so the final decision is expected to weigh those safety questions carefully.
VA launches trial testing weight-loss drug for alcohol use disorder
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new clinical trial testing whether semaglutide, a popular weight-loss drug, can also help treat alcohol use disorder — a condition affecting more than 400,000 veterans.
The research, known as the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans trial, focuses on how the drug affects the brain’s reward system. It’s enrolling more than 600 veterans ages 18 to 80 at 18 VA medical centers nationwide, including the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, with participants receiving weekly injections over 24 weeks.
Recruitment begins July 28. Veterans interested in participating can contact their local VA medical center or search for the trial on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Wildfire smoke drifts back into the Midwest and Northeast
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is once again drifting through the Midwest and Northeast, and while you may not see it, you can feel it.
Cleveland Clinic says the smoke carries fine particles that irritate the airways and can trigger asthma, COPD and heart problems, putting children, pregnant women and people with existing heart conditions most at risk.
Doctors recommend checking your city’s air quality index and staying inside with windows closed and the air conditioning running when levels are poor. If you do need to go outside, keep it brief and wear an N95 mask and seek care right away if symptoms worsen.
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