doctors

A new study finds that people who stop taking GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, may face an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The findings suggest the cardiovascular benefits of these medications depend on continued use, raising questions about how patients should manage long-term treatment.

An Italian court has convicted three Egyptian security officials in absentia of kidnapping Giulio Regeni, the Cambridge doctoral student tortured and killed in Egypt in 2016. The verdict is the first judicial outcome in a case that strained relations between Italy and Egypt for years and has drawn attention from human rights groups and Italian media.

Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, has died at the age of 100. A doctor by training and a prominent public figure in her own right, she was known for her decades alongside Mahathir, who served as Malaysia's leader for over 20 years. Details on the circumstances of her death have not yet been released, and tributes are expected from across Malaysian political life.

Doctors are warning that people taking GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs such as Ozempic may face heightened health risks during the current heat wave. Concerns center on dehydration, as the medications can suppress thirst and appetite, potentially leaving users vulnerable to heat exhaustion and related complications. Patients are being advised to drink water regularly and take precautions in high temperatures as extreme heat persists across many regions.

A health expert is warning that artificial intelligence chatbots cannot replace doctors, as more people turn to tools like ChatGPT for medical advice. The caution comes amid growing use of AI for health questions, with experts stressing that chatbots can mislead, miss serious conditions and should complement rather than substitute professional medical care.

New research suggests donor hearts may take on the biological age of their recipients after transplantation, rather than retaining the age of the original donor. Reported by Scientific American, the finding could reshape how doctors think about organ aging, rejection risk and long-term outcomes for transplant patients.

A growing debate is unfolding over legal responsibility when artificial intelligence systems used in healthcare make errors. As AI tools move into diagnosis and treatment decisions, questions are mounting over whether doctors, hospitals, drugmakers or software developers should be held accountable when a wrong recommendation harms a patient, and regulators have yet to offer clear answers.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists have published new clinical standards for managing high-risk pregnancies in states with abortion bans. The guidelines aim to clarify when interventions are legally permissible and medically necessary, addressing confusion among physicians treating endangered patients. The move responds to reports of delayed or denied care, and is likely to fuel ongoing debate over how restrictive abortion laws affect pregnancy treatment.

An obesity medicine doctor is addressing the growing trend of microdosing Ozempic, the diabetes drug widely used for weight loss, explaining the safety concerns and potential risks of taking lower-than-standard doses. The doctor notes there are limited situations where a low dose may be appropriate, but warns patients against adjusting medication on their own without medical supervision.

A new study reports that about one in six children taking GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, developed nutritional deficiencies while on the drugs. The findings raise concerns that appetite suppression and reduced intake may leave some children short on key nutrients, prompting calls for closer monitoring of children prescribed these increasingly used weight-loss medications.

New research suggests that people who lose the same amount of weight can experience very different health outcomes, with identical weight loss not producing the same metabolic or cardiovascular benefits in everyone. The findings point to individual differences in how the body responds to weight loss and could affect how doctors evaluate diet success beyond the scale.

A new report finds that more than one in five older Americans take combinations of medications that could cause major drug interactions, with antidepressants topping the list of drugs involved. The findings raise concerns about polypharmacy among seniors, many of whom take multiple prescriptions for chronic conditions, and highlight the need for better medication review by doctors and pharmacists.

Feverish babies admitted to hospital are often assumed to have a serious bacterial infection and are treated with antibiotics as a precaution. A new test that gauges whether an infection is bacterial or viral could reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in infants, helping doctors avoid overprescription and supporting efforts against antimicrobial resistance.

The South China Morning Post reports on the hidden risks of combining traditional Chinese medicine with Western prescription drugs. The piece highlights concerns that herbal remedies can interact with pharmaceuticals, altering their effectiveness or causing harmful side effects, particularly when patients do not tell their doctors about everything they are taking. It calls for greater awareness among patients and practitioners about these potential interactions.

A new report highlights that patients increasingly search the internet for health information before contacting doctors or medical services. Commentators say the trend reflects growing reliance on online symptom checkers and health websites, raising questions about the accuracy of self-diagnosis and whether it delays or encourages people to seek professional care.

A recall of a thyroid medication has been designated at the FDA's most serious risk level, known as Class I, reserved for situations where exposure could cause serious health problems or death. People with thyroid conditions are being advised to check their medication lots and contact their pharmacist or doctor if affected.

A recall of chlorthalidone, a widely prescribed blood pressure medication, is drawing attention after reports linked it to FDA dissolution testing failures. Dissolution testing checks whether a pill dissolves properly in the body, so failing tablets may not deliver the intended dose. Patients are advised not to stop taking their medication suddenly and to consult a pharmacist or doctor about alternatives.