Category: This Mortal Coil

Why CNVs Explain My Kid’s Grades

‘Copy Number Variants’ (CNVs) are hot. A CNV is a sizeable chunk of DNA that’s either missing from your genome or present in extra copies. Chunks of DNA get copied or deleted on a surprisingly frequent basis. We’ve all got CNVs, most cases they are probably benign, but CNVs are becoming an increasingly appreciated as a significant source of medically important genetic variation. ‘Recently appreciated’ because we now have the technology to detect CVNVs reliably.

A recent paper in The Lancet links CNVs with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder, and find that genetic variants in ADHD occur in the same genes linked with autism and schizophrenia. What this suggests is that CNVs are the reason my ADHD child unfailingly neglects to turn in her completed homework. Continue reading “Why CNVs Explain My Kid’s Grades”

When Supplements “Work”. . .Light Headed, for the Wrong Reasons

Let’s say you have diabetes or heart disease and are taking nitrates for your condition. And, unfortunately, maybe you need a little more lead in your pencil, which is even more common with some of these conditions. Well your doctor might hesitate to prescribe the most common pharmaceuticals for erectile dysfunction, like tadalafil (Cialis) or sildenafil (Viagra), because these drugs taken in combination with nitrates can cause dangerously low blood pressure. So, in your desperation, you might think about reaching for one of those sexual enhancement supplements about which we all get countless emails. Continue reading “When Supplements “Work”. . .Light Headed, for the Wrong Reasons”

When Supplements “Work”. . .EZVille, Ltd – Where Health & Safety are Important-ish

The Universe is a funny place, full of bizarre coincidences. Like, for example, did you know that every single “dietary supplement” with an undeclared drug ingredient that we have covered in our When Supplements “Work”. . . feature so far has contained, among all the drugs in the world, a regulated drug that treats exactly the same condition that the supplement claims to treat? What are the odds?

This week we get a double whammy from EZVille, Ltd. EZVille, Ltd. has issued a recall of Revivexxx (one guess what that is supposed to “revive”) and Solo Slim. Revivexxx is a male sexual enhancement supplement (DSHEA code for treating erectile dysfunction), which was found to contain the erectile dysfunction pharmaceutical tadalafil (marketed using a series of creepy commericals under the brand name Cialis). Tadalafil is known to have potentially dangerous interactions with medications containing nitrates, such as those taken for heart disease. Solo Slim is a weight loss supplement, which was found to contain the appetite suppressant didesmethyl sibutramine. Sibutramine can increase blood pressure and heart rate putting individuals at risk for stroke and other cardiovascular issues at greater risk.

Individuals for whom tadalafil and sibutramine are not viable therapeutic options due to interacting medications or underlying medical issues may be more likely to seek out these alternative products to avoid side effects. The undeclared presence of these drugs in these supplements exposes these “at risk” individuals to these potentially dangerous side effects without their knowledge, unarguably a worse situation than if they had knowingly been prescribed these medications under the observation of a trained health care professional. Continue reading “When Supplements “Work”. . .EZVille, Ltd – Where Health & Safety are Important-ish”

In which British papers call sick kids sluts and I get mad. . .

According to the UK press, the foggy isle is being overrun by 11 year old tramps.

Dr. Petra Boynton has the definitive take down of this clap-trap on her blog.

The UK appears afflicted by ‘soaring’ numbers of sexually active girls, who lie to parents, enabled by GPs.

Is it accurate?

No.

Continue reading “In which British papers call sick kids sluts and I get mad. . .”

When Supplements “Work”. . .Viagra, uh wait, I mean XXTreme

FDA notified consumers that lab analysis of lots of ejaculoid XXTREME and stimuloid II found that the products, sold as dietary supplements, contain sulfoaildenafil, similar to sildenafil, which is an active ingredient of an FDA-approved drug for male erectile dysfunction, making these products unapproved drugs. – FDA Medatch (emphasis added)

The drug has documented side effects from clinical trials and post-approval monitoring that is standard for pharmaceuticals. It also is not appropriate for people with certain other conditions, like high blood pressure, or in combination with other drugs, like nitroglycerin. These negative effects cannot be avoided if one does not know that this drug is in the supplement, especially considering that individuals for whom sildenafil (and analogs) is not a safe treatment are likely customers for these types of supplement. Continue reading “When Supplements “Work”. . .Viagra, uh wait, I mean XXTreme”