November 11 RxAdvocate November, 2023 — Newsletter
November Stories:
- FDA Approves Drug for Postpartum Depression
- National Diabetes Month
- New Weight Loss Drug, Zepbound
- Community Involvemen
FDA Approves Drug for PostPartum Depression
The FDA recently approved Zurzuvae for postpartum depression, which is a first in class oral product for this indication. Zurzuvae is expected to hit the market in December. Sage Therapeutics, drug manufacturer for this product in partnership with Biogen, has announced the cost of the treatment will be set at $15,900.
One of the considerations for determining the price was the average societal cost to treat postpartum of $32,300 obtained from a 2017 report produced by the National Center for Health Statistics. Patients taking the medication can see relief from postpartum symptoms in as little as 3 days with a total treatment duration of 14 days at a recommended dosing schedule of 50mg once daily in the evening.
November is National Diabetes Month
National Diabetes Month is a time to bring awareness to a chronic disease that impacts millions of Americans. According to the CDC, 98 million American adults have prediabetes- so, 1 in 3 adults. Out of that 98 million, 8 in 10 of them don’t know they have this condition. Without awareness or actions, this could quickly turn into type 2 diabetes within 5+ years.
Types of Diabetes:
- Prediabetes: Your blood glucose levels are higher than average level, but not high risk enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. This can often be reversed, but still leaves one at risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes: The body cannot properly use insulin.
- Type 1 diabetes: The body cannot make it’s own insulin and requires it from an outside source daily.
- Gestational diabetes: Diabetes that women can get while pregnant.
Who is at Risk of diabetes?
- You are overweight.
- You are 45 years of age or older.
- Your parent or siblings has type 2 diabetes.
- You are physically active fewer than 3 times per week.
- You ever gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds.
- You ever had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes).
According to the American Diabetes Association, symptoms can include urinating often, feeling extremely thirsty, feeling hungry, fatigue, blurry vision, tingling pain in hands or feet, and weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms, please reach out to your healthcare provider. Early detection is possible in order to prevent further complications.. If you suffer from diabetes and are wanting to learn more about reducing your complications, please review the links below:
FDA Approves New Weight Loss Drug, Zepbound
FDA Approves New Weight Loss Drug, Zepbound
On November 8, 2023 the FDA approved a new medication for weight loss that could impact the roughly 40% of Americans with obesity today. Tirzepatide, currently on the market under the trade name, Mounjaro, for type 2 diabetes will now be available for weight loss at a higher concentration under the trade name, Zepbound. Tirzepatide is part of a class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists that have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. It works by mimicking one hormone that helps reduce food cravings, as well as a second hormone that may also improve how the body breaks down sugar and fat, helping to amplify the weight loss effects.
This newest FDA approval comes as no surprise and is the latest product to join its competition following the same logic. Semaglutide, is currently on the market under the brand name, Ozempic, for diabetes and is available in a higher strength under the brand name, Wegovy, for weight loss.
Like Wegovy, Zepbound is a once weekly self-administered injection and is recommended in addition to a reduced caloric diet and increased exercise. Side effects with these medications are mainly gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. In clinical trials, the highest dose of Zepbound led to an average weight loss of over 22% of body weight, more than the 15% average weight loss seen with Wegovy. To continue reading, please visit this link to our website:
We hope you had a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween!
We hope you had a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween!
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Orlando Neal — Principal
Orlando.Neal@rxconnectionllc.com
Orlando.Neal@rxconnectionllc.com