FDA researchers analyzed the potential risks of foot and leg amputation caused by Invokana during two clinical trials.

Johnson & Johnson is now required to include a warning on their diabetes drug, Invokana, following an admonition issued by the FDA. This new warning is related to the medicine’s potentially high-risk side-effects. A new study shows that Invokana has an increased potential risk of foot and leg amputation.

New Study Connects Series of Foot and Leg Amputation to Diabetes Drug

FDA researchers conducted two clinical trials to test the drug and see if its incidence for leg amputation is higher than for other similar treatments. These included two study groups. One of them was treated with Invokana, the other with placebos. The research team then noted the increased risk of amputations presented by one of the groups. Amputations occurred twice as often for those who were administered this drug.

During the trials, this procedure was most commonly applied to the middle of the foot and the toe. Still, amputations involving the leg both above and below the knee were also noted. Some of the patients even required more than one amputation.

Based on the results of the trials, the FDA considered it mandatory to place a new warning on the label of Invokana. All drugs are required to present a label with their possible side-effects. This is even more important on severe risks medicine. Before administering any treatment, patients need to be aware of their side effects.

For the Johnson & Johnson produced Invokana, the warning needs to be a boxed one. These types of warnings are added for severe side effects like leg amputation, heart conditions, and respiratory problems. Invokana is part of the new class of drugs for people who have type 2 diabetes.

Health regulators recommended people to address their doctors for any pain, tenderness, infection, or ulcers that might have developed due to this drug. Before starting treatment with it, doctors will also need to take into consideration if the patient has any risk factors for leg amputation.

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Health authorities are issuing a warning about a new and on the rise drug called the Gray Death.

Health authorities are issuing a warning about a new and on the rise drug. Called the “Gray Death”, this mix of opioids is extremely dangerous and lethal and is unfortunately spreading.

According to authorities, Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio reported the highest number of overdose episodes caused by this combo.

What is the Gray Death?

The new and dangerous mix was named after its physical characteristics, besides its dangerous effects. It seems to have both the consistency and the aspect of a concrete mix. Its composition also varies, which led to even more problems.

Gray death is, in fact, a combination of more than just one drug. Usually, it’s a combination of several opioids, which can lead to fatal effects. Most commonly, it was found to contain heroin, carfentanil, the opioid U-47700, and fentanyl. Carfentanil is occasionally used as a tranquilizer, but only for large animals, for example, elephants.

“Gray death is one of the scariest combinations that I have ever seen in nearly 20 years of forensic chemistry drug analysis,” says Deneed Kilcrease.

She is the manager of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Chemistry Department. According to an earlier press releases, authorities pointed out another major problem with this drug. Sometimes, specialists found this new mix in marked bags that had stamped logos, and which imitated a heroin sale.

This led them to believe that some users did not even know what they were buying. Or that they were about to consume another drug. Specialists also consider that most users are still in the dark about the gray death’s concentration or ingredients. In turn, this makes the drug’s effects even more dangerous, more likely particularly lethal.

Reports show that the gray death has been either injected, swallowed, snorted, or smoked. Over the past three months, reports have tied more than 50 overdose cases to this new mix in Georgia alone. Ohio reported that it is facing a similar problem.

Now, authorities are on high alert and have issued a press release on this highly dangerous combo. They are particularly concerned as the country is passing through a nationwide opioids epidemic.

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A new research observed that people who have a slim jawline are more likely to be left-handed.

Many people associate left-handedness with different random things including a higher rate of mortality. Now, a new research shows a connection between left-handed people and a slim jawline. Those who have certain facial figures are more likely to favor their left hand.

People who have a convex facial profile, as well as a slender jaw, are 25% more likely to write with their left hand. This new study was published in the Journal Laterality: Asymmetries of Body, Brain & Cognition. A team of scientists from the University of Washington conducted this latest research.

For their study, the researchers used three national health surveys. More than 13,536 people in the US were involved in these. The researchers observed that people who have a slim jawline are more likely to be left-handed.

Left-Handed People Could Be At A Higher Risk Of Developing TB?

A slender jaw is actually as rare as writing with your left hand. Only 1 in 5 US people have a slender jaw, and 10% of the population is left-handed. There is a problem too. People who have this facial figure reportedly also have a higher risk of developing tuberculosis.

“Almost 2,000 years ago a Greek physician was first to identify slender jaws as a marker for TB susceptibility, and he turned out to be right.” said study author, Philippe Hujoel.

A lot of studies showed that people who have a slender jaw are more likely to have tuberculosis. Low body weight, as well as a slender jaw, are known as TB markers. Researchers now believe that there is a connection between all three of these elements: TB, a slim jawline, and left-handedness.

For instance, the UK is considered the TB capital of Western Europe. This country registers the highest number of left-handed people, and also a lot of people have slender faces. On the other hand, Eskimos have the lowest rate of TB. This is because most of them are right-handed and also have robust facial features.

The team mentioned the need for more studies on this topic before they can make a connection between the three elements. Now, people will just have to wait and see what new correlations appear between left-handedness and seemingly random things.

Image source: Wikipedia