Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

OTC Allergy Drugs Can Cause Severe Pruritus With Sudden Discontinuation

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now warning clinicians and healthcare consumers about a rare but severe side effect associated with stopping long-term use of oral allergy medicines cetirizine or levocetirizine. FDA reports that some patients ultimately develop severe pruritus that requires medical attention if they stop taking the medications, and the agency aims to update the prescribing information to raise awareness about the post-discontinuation risk. According to the FDA, pruritus symptoms resolved for …

Cases of Drug-Resistant Fungal Infection Cluster in a Few States

The deadly Candida auris fungus was first identified in the United States about 10 years ago and has proven to have strong drug-resistance, at times demonstrating resistance to all 3 main classes of antifungal medicines, including echinocandins. And cases appear to be on the rise. Of the 1,052 cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through April 26, 2025, a disproportionate number are occurring in Texas (241), Michigan (185), and Ohio (125). …

Meningococcal Vaccine Leveraged To Prevent Gonorrhea in England and Wales

A vaccine to prevent gonorrhea will soon be introduced in England and Wales as part of a targeted public health initiative—the first of its kind globally, according to health officials. Described as a “landmark moment for sexual health,” the program aims to address the rising rates of gonorrhea with preventive measures. The vaccine, originally developed to protect against meningococcal B disease, will be offered starting in early August at sexual health clinics commissioned by local …

Maternal Syphilis Screening Recommendations Stand Firm

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in a recommendation statement published this week in JAMA reaffirmed its highest recommendation for early and universal syphilis screening in pregnancy, which aligns with its 2018 guidance. The recommendation emphasizes screening for all pregnant adolescents and adults at the first prenatal opportunity, regardless of individual risk factors, using both treponemal and non-treponemal tests. The directive is based on high-certainty evidence that syphilis screening during pregnancy provides a substantial …

Bedtime Antihypertensive Regimens Offer No Special Benefit

A Canadian trial published in JAMA involving 3,200 primary care patients (56.4% female; median age, 67 years) evaluated the timing of antihypertensive medication administration and found no difference in morning vs bedtime dosing. Over a median follow-up of 4.6 years, bedtime dosing was found to be safe but offered no additional cardiovascular benefit. Rates of major cardiovascular events or death were similar between groups (2.3 vs 2.4 per 100 patient-years; adjusted hazard ratio 0.96, 95% …

Newly Approved HPV Home Testing Kits Launch Next Month

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first at-home, vaginal-sample self-collection device for cervical cancer screening, according to a press release from the device manufacturer, Teal Health. As an alternative to in-office sampling and screening, the home collection method also includes virtual access to providers who prescribe the sample-collection kit, review the results from the lab, and answer patient questions. After the patient receives the at-home kit and collects the samples using a wand …

Live Zoster Vaccine Demonstrates Heart Benefits

According to a study in the European Heart Journal, the live zoster vaccine may provide cardiovascular benefits in addition to preventing herpes zoster. In a cohort study in Korea involving over 1 million individuals aged 50 years and older, vaccination was associated with a 23% reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular events—including stroke, heart failure, and coronary heart disease—over a period of 8 years. Live zoster vaccination was associated with lower risks of overall …

Newly Approved DHE Nasal Powder Treats Migraine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved dihydroergotamine (DHE) nasal powder 5.2 mg for the acute treatment of migraine in adults with or without aura. The new product is currently the only DHE nasal powder available for this indication, according to a press release from manufacturer Satsuma. Clinical studies demonstrated that the formulation offers rapid absorption, quick attainment of high plasma DHE concentrations, and sustained levels over time. It was generally well tolerated both …

Pediatric Deaths Climb in the Current ‘Highly Severe’ Flu Season

According to the last weekly report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the current influenza season in the United States has resulted in the highest number of pediatric deaths since the H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009–2010. As of the week ending April 26, 2025, at least 216 influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported—well above the 207 deaths recorded during the last flu season and especially concerning given that the season isn’t quite …

One Dose of HPV Vaccine Could Be Enough

A large-scale clinical trial conducted by the National Cancer Institute found that one dose of an HPV vaccine is just as protective against infection as the traditional 2-dose regimen. The randomized study, which enrolled more than 20,000 girls aged 12 to 16 years, compared the effectiveness of 1 and 2 does of the bivalent Cervarix (GlaxoSmithKline) vaccine and the 9-valent Gardasil 9 (Merck) vaccine. Participants were assigned to receive either dosing regimen, and both groups …

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