News | Neurological conditions

News

Some antiseizure duotherapies associated with similar risk of neurodevelopmental disorders as valproate, study finds

A study has found increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children whose mothers took antiseizure medication duotherapies during pregnancy.…

Published: 31 May 2022

Feature

Everything you need to know about sodium valproate and other antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy

Despite the associated dangers being widely publicised, data show that women are still being prescribed sodium valproate during pregnancy. Are the measures that have been put in place enough or does more need to be done?…

Published: 6 May 2022

News

Pharmacy regulator investigated eight complaints about sodium valproate dispensing

The complaints were raised by a charity that supports women who have taken sodium valproate while pregnant.…

Published: 20 April 2022

Feature

Spilling the beans on the health impacts of coffee

On average, 98 million cups of coffee are consumed each day in the UK. Is this popular drink harmful or do its benefits outweigh its risks?…

Published: 14 April 2022

News

Nearly 50 women in England prescribed sodium valproate during pregnancy in 12-month period

Fewer women were prescribed sodium valproate, which can cause birth defects, during pregnancy in 2020/2021, compared with the previous year, but concerns remain that the number is still too high.…

Published: 7 April 2022

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Epilepsy drugs levetiracetam and zonisamide should not be routinely used first line in the NHS, conclude researchers

Using data from two studies involving more than 1,500 people with newly diagnosed epilepsy, study authors concluded that neither levetiracetam nor zonisamide should be used as routine first-line anti-seizure medication.…

Published: 20 December 2021

News

Widely prescribed antidepressant not beneficial in treating agitation in dementia patients, study finds

A study has demonstrated that mirtazapine does not reduce agitation in patients with dementia, when compared with a placebo.…

Published: 26 October 2021

Feature

Why it is too soon to celebrate the Alzheimer’s ‘wonder drug’

The US approval of aducanumab — the first disease-modifying drug for Alzheimer’s disease — based on a trial with a surrogate endpoint, has caused quite a stir. Here we look at the controversy and what the approval might mean for Alzheimer’s research.…

Published: 16 September 2021

Feature

Long COVID: the pharmacy staff picking up the pieces months after being infected

We speak to formerly fit and well pharmacists and technicians whose lives have been devastated by long COVID.…

Published: 12 August 2021

News

No difference in cognitive outcomes in children born to women taking antiseizure medicines

Researchers found no significant differences in the development of children born to mothers taking antiseizure medicines during pregnancy and those who did not.…

Published: 22 July 2021