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What your patients are reading: Week of December 25, 2023

December 29, 2023

Clinicians warn about asthma inhaler switch coming in January

Beginning January 1, GSK said it will discontinue the branded asthma inhaler Flovent, and instead offer a generic version. Although the authorized generic is identical, the switch has doctors concerned that patients might experience delays switching to alternatives and getting them covered by insurance, especially since the generic version doesn’t appear to be as widely covered. This could mean patients will need new prescriptions and to navigate coverage hurdles at the height of respiratory virus season. According to CNN, clinicians are urging patients to take action immediately to ensure they have their medicine in time for the new year. (Tirrell, 2023)

New treatment shows promise for children with food allergies

For those with food allergies, new research suggests that the monoclonal antibody omalizumab, which is already available as an asthma treatment, may protect against severe reactions to peanuts, eggs, milk, and other foods. According to preliminary trial results, 165 children and adolescents who received injections of Xolair (omalizumab) were able to consume higher doses of the foods without triggering an allergic reaction, compared with those who received placebo. (Carroll, 2023)

Woman with double uterus gives birth to rare twin girls

Last week, Kelsey Hatcher of Alabama gave birth to her third and fourth children, a set of rare dicavitary twins, according to a news release from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. Uterine didelphys is a congenital anomaly occurring in 0.3 percent of women, the hospital stated. Hatcher gave birth to each child one day apart after a combined 20 hours of labor and received double the monitoring, double the charting, and was assigned two labor and delivery nurses, according to the release. (Smart, 2023)

Italian man may regain use of hand after pioneering nerve transfer

Marcello Gaviglio, a 55-year-old health care worker, who was left paralyzed in a severe moped accident may regain use of his hand thanks to a nerve transfer operation from his partly amputated leg, according to doctors in northern Italy. Surgeons at Turin City Hospital transferred part of Gaviglio's sciatic nerve to his brachial plexus, making it the first time a nerve that controls the foot has been moved to an area that controls the hand. The patient will need to undergo around five months of post-operative care before it's clear if this will restore mobility. So far, he is still unable to move his hand. (Fraser, 2023)

FDA receives scores of complaints related to recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches

In a December 26 update, FDA announced it has now received 82 confirmed complaints/reports of adverse events potentially linked to contaminated applesauce pouches sold by Weis, WanaBana, and Schnucks, with confirmed complainants (or people for whom a complaint or adverse event was submitted) ranging in age between infants to 53 years of age. The organization also shared the results of tested samples of the cinnamon collected from the Austrofoods manufacturing facility in Ecuador that was used in the recalled applesauce pouches. The highest result was 5,110 parts per million (ppm), which was more than 2,000 times the level of 2.5 ppm being considered for bark spices by international standards. (FDA, 2023)

Sources:

Tirrell, M. (2023, December 28). CNN. ‘A huge shock to the system’: Doctors warn about asthma inhaler switch coming in January. https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/28/health/asthma-inhaler-generic-switch/index.html

Carroll, L. (2023, December 27). NBC News. Children with food allergies may get relief with new treatment. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/new-food-allergies-drug-may-prevent-severe-reactions-peanuts-egg-milk-rcna131194

Smart, S. (2023, December 24). CNN. Woman pregnant in each of her two uteruses gives birth to twins. https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/24/health/woman-two-uteruses-birth-twins/index.html

Fraser, A. (2023, December 27). Reuters. Italian may regain use of hand after nerve transfer from amputated leg. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/italian-may-regain-use-hand-after-nerve-transfer-amputated-leg-2023-12-27/

(2023, December 26). FDA. Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (November 2023): Current Update. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023