Category: Brandpoint Health

2022-11-04T16:25:07

(BPT) – Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and snowstorms can occur at any time, so preparing ahead is key. However, a study by the Federal Emergency Management Agency found that only 44% of Americans are prepared for an unexpected natural disaster.

“Unfortunately, severe weather can occur throughout the year, so it is important to always be prepared,” said Ashley Gocken, a home safety expert with First Alert residential fire safety company, now part of Resideo Technologies, Inc. “Implementing new safety measures or strengthening the ones that you and your family have in place can help save yourself from unnecessary stress should an emergency arise.”

Follow these home safety tips to help ensure your family is prepared during storm season:

1) Equip for emergencies. Being prepared for inclement weather includes having an emergency kit ready. In addition to necessities such as a first aid kit, flashlight, water and medical supplies, make sure your safety kit includes a multi-tool, portable phone charger, fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, batteries, blankets and non-perishable food.

2) Know about CO. An invisible and odorless gas, carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in the U.S., leading to more than 430 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CO incidents can spike during storm season, due to the misuse of portable generators, stoves or grills as alternative heating sources during power outages.

In the case of a power outage, run generators in a well-ventilated, outdoor area to avoid CO build up in your home. Don’t operate them in the garage, even if you intend to keep the garage door open and be sure to keep it at least 20 feet away from any door, window or vent opening for extra safety precautions.

3) Install home safety tools. Because CO is impossible to detect without an alarm — and its symptoms like headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness and vomiting can easily be confused with the common cold — proper alarm placement, regular maintenance and alarm replacement are essential parts of your home safety plan. According to guidelines from the National Fire Protection Association, carbon monoxide and smoke alarms should be installed in or near every sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Equip your home with 10-year alarms or alarms with battery backup for protection during power outages. The First Alert Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm with Battery Backup alerts residents to dangerous CO levels and, thanks to its battery backup, allows for continuous monitoring during a power outage.

For ultimate protection against the threats of smoke, fire and CO, install combination alarms such as the First Alert 10-Year Sealed Battery Smoke and CO Alarm to eliminate the need to replace batteries for a decade. Make sure alarms are installed at least 15 feet away from CO sources to reduce the chance of false alarms, but if one does sound, leave the home immediately and call 911. Be sure to test all alarms regularly, and for those without a 10-year battery, replace batteries at least every six months.

4) Safely store valuables. In case of an emergency, make sure important documents such as birth certificates, passports and insurance papers are stored in waterproof or fire-resistant safes or security chests, and create password-protected digital copies for preservation. Move valuables, including family heirlooms and prized possessions, to higher levels of the home or to the same safes for maximum security.

“Putting the proper protections in place can better enable families to be well-prepared when a severe storm arises, and all year round,” said Gocken.

For more information, visit www.firstalert.com.

2022-11-04T12:01:00

(BPT) – Lindsey Vonn has been tackling challenges all her life as a professional skier. However, one of her biggest challenges didn’t happen on her skis, but rather, in her own bed. A knee injury took her off the slopes to recoup in 2013. Around this time, she began having trouble falling and staying sleep, also known as insomnia, and even after recovering, she couldn’t shake it off. When she officially retired from the sport in 2019, her sleep problems only intensified.

She is not alone. More than 25 million Americans suffer from insomnia every year and experience firsthand the toll that it can take on their nights and days.[i], [ii] For Lindsey, not sleeping at night meant that she couldn’t be her best self during the day as an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist and investor.

Lindsey’s journey with QUVIVIQ^® (daridorexant) CIV

After years of trying out various sleep hygiene practices, common over-the-counter supplements and even prescription sleep medicines, Lindsey still struggled with her sleep. She decided to talk to her doctor about available treatment options, and to understand the benefits and risks of each. Based on her needs and preferences, once-nightly QUVIVIQ was the best option for her — because in clinical studies QUVIVIQ has been shown to help adults with insomnia fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer with improvements measured at one month and which continued over a period of three months.

QUVIVIQ is a prescription medicine for adults who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia).[iii] As an athlete, Lindsey is incredibly mindful of what she puts in her body, which is why she talked to her doctor about the risks and benefits of treatment options to find the best one for her. Lindsey’s doctor told her that QUVIVIQ may cause headache or sleepiness during the day and to be cautious about driving or doing other activities until she feels fully awake. She feels good about taking QUVIVIQ because of its safety profile and because clinical studies show a lack of withdrawal symptoms after stopping usage, which suggests no physical dependence. QUVIVIQ is a federally controlled substance because it can be abused or cause dependence.

“I didn’t just decide to be a championship skier. I worked at it, and that’s how I approach my sleep,” said Lindsey. “It’s a journey, which is why I talked to my doctor about QUVIVIQ.”

Taking QUVIVIQ helps her fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer and getting more sleep at night may mean feeling less tired during the day. This is Lindsey’s experience with QUVIVIQ and individual results may vary. Review the additional important safety information and talk with your healthcare provider to see if QUVIVIQ may be right for you.

Lindsey’s advice for others struggling with insomnia

• 1. Talk about it. It’s common for sleep issues to isolate people or cause them to cope in silence, as problems sleeping can be misconstrued as a “personal” issue. Therefore, Lindsey’s biggest piece of advice for others struggling with sleep like her is to start a conversation with their doctor to discuss the sleep challenges they’re having and to find out what treatment options are out there.
• 2. Be patient. Lindsey recognizes her issues with sleep didn’t happen overnight, so she knew improving her sleep would take some time to get right. She recommends others be consistent and patient when working through treatment solutions and give them time to work. “Insomnia can impact both my days and my nights. That’s why I take QUVIVIQ nightly, and I feel that my sleep has improved,” she said.
• 3. Seek support. Paying for treatments can be a concern for many. Those interested in QUVIVIQ should check out QUVIVIQ.com to download or screen shot a QSavings Card. Eligible patients pay as little as $0* for the first month of treatment and receive refills for as little as $25*.

If you’re like Lindsey and struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep, start a conversation with your doctor today and see if QUVIVIQ is right for you. To learn more, visit QUVIVIQ.com.

*For eligible commercially insured patients. Terms and conditions apply. Please read the full terms and conditions.

Sponsored by Idorsia U.S.

What is QUVIVIQ?

QUVIVIQ (daridorexant) 25 mg, 50 mg tablets is a prescription medicine for adults who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia).

Important Safety Information
Do not take QUVIVIQ if you fall asleep often at unexpected times (narcolepsy).

QUVIVIQ may cause serious side effects, including:

• Decreased awareness and alertness. The morning after you take QUVIVIQ, your ability to drive safely and think clearly may be decreased. You may also have sleepiness during the day.
  • Do not take more QUVIVIQ than prescribed.
  • Do not take QUVIVIQ unless you are able to stay in bed for at least 7 hours before you must be active again.
  • Take QUVIVIQ at night within 30 minutes before going to bed.

QUVIVIQ is a federally controlled substance because it can be abused or lead to dependence.
Before taking QUVIVIQ, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions; drug or alcohol abuse or addiction; a sudden onset of muscle weakness (cataplexy); daytime sleepiness
• have lung or breathing problems, including sleep apnea
• have liver problems
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

• Taking QUVIVIQ with certain medicines can cause serious side effects. QUVIVIQ may affect the way other medicines work and other medicines may affect the way QUVIVIQ works.
• Do not take QUVIVIQ with other medicines that can make you sleepy unless instructed by your healthcare provider.

What should I avoid while taking QUVIVIQ?

• Do not drink alcohol while taking QUVIVIQ. It can increase the effects of alcohol, which can be dangerous.
• Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, do anything dangerous, or do other activities that require clear thinking if you do not feel fully awake, or you have taken QUVIVIQ and have less than a full night of sleep (at least 7 hours), or if you have taken more QUVIVIQ than prescribed.

QUVIVIQ may cause other serious side effects, including:

• Worsening depression and suicidal thoughts. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any worsening depression or thoughts of suicide or dying.
• Temporary inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis) for up to several minutes, or hallucinations while you are going to sleep or waking up.
• Complex sleep behaviors such as sleep-walking, sleep-driving, preparing and eating food, making phone calls, having sex or doing other activities while not fully awake that you may not remember the next morning. Stop taking QUVIVIQ and call your healthcare provider right away if you experience a complex sleep behavior.

The most common side effects of QUVIVIQ are headache and sleepiness.

These are not all of the possible side effects of QUVIVIQ. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

2022-11-04T06:01:00

(BPT) – Content sponsored and provided by Pfizer. Michael partnered with Pfizer to share his experience living with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

What are other possible side effects of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR?

If you are a carrier of the Hepatitis B or C virus (viruses that affect the liver), the virus may become active while you use XELJANZ. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests before starting and while using treatment with XELJANZ. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs of these symptoms: feel very tired, little or no appetite, clay-colored bowel movements, chills, muscle aches, skin rash, skin or eyes look yellow, vomiting, fevers, stomach discomfort, or dark urine.

Common side effects in adults with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), headache, diarrhea, nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis), and high blood pressure (hypertension).

Common side effects in adults with ulcerative colitis include nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis), increased cholesterol levels, headache, upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), increased muscle enzyme levels, rash, diarrhea, and shingles (herpes zoster).

Common side effects in children (2 & older) with polyarticular course juvenile arthritis include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), nasal congestion, sore throat, and runny nose (nasopharyngitis), headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

XELJANZ & Pregnancy

XELJANZ may affect the ability of females to get pregnant. It is not known if this will change after stopping XELJANZ. It is not known if XELJANZ will harm an unborn baby.

• Pregnancy Registry: Pfizer has a registry for pregnant women who take XELJANZ. The purpose of this registry is to check the health of the pregnant mother and her baby. If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking XELJANZ, talk to your healthcare provider about how you can join this pregnancy registry or you may contact the registry at 1-877-311-8972 to enroll.

You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take XELJANZ or breastfeed. You should not do both. After you stop your treatment with XELJANZ do not start breastfeeding again until 18 hours after your last dose of XELJANZ or 36 hours after your last dose of XELJANZ XR.

What is XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR?

XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR (tofacitinib) is used to treat adults with:

• Moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis when 1 or more medicines called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have been used, and did not work well or cannot be tolerated
• Active psoriatic arthritis when 1 or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker medicines have been used, and did not work well or cannot be tolerated
• Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis when 1 or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker medicines have been used, and did not work well or cannot be tolerated
• Active ankylosing spondylitis when 1 or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker medicines have been used, and did not work well or cannot be tolerated

It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in people with Hepatitis B or C.

XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR/XELJANZ Oral Solution is not recommended for people with severe liver problems.

It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ Oral Solution is safe and effective in children for treatment other than active polyarticular course juvenile arthritis.

It is not known if XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in children.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.

August 2022; PP-XEL-USA-7763

2022-11-03T11:01:00

(BPT) – Every two seconds, someone in the United States (U.S.) needs blood. A single donation can save lives. However, only 3% of eligible Americans give blood each year.

“When you give blood, you’re giving the gift of life,” said Simone Glynn, M.D., chief of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) Blood Epidemiology and Clinical Therapeutics Branch. “You aren’t just helping patients in critical care, but also those dealing with blood disorders.”

For the person doing the giving, you can be assured that you are doing a great thing, Glynn said. But if you’re the person receiving, can you trust that the blood you’re getting is safe?

Glynn said it’s a very important question. For 30 years, NHLBI has funded programs and research aimed at keeping the nation’s blood supply safe. One of these programs is NHLBI’s Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study, or REDS program. The REDS program conducts research to evaluate and improve the safety of the nation’s blood supply and the safety and effectiveness of transfusion therapies in children and adults. REDS is the largest research program of its kind in the U.S. It addresses potential emerging threats to the blood supply and serves as a resource for ongoing transfusion research. Because of programs like REDS, patients can have confidence that the blood they are receiving is safe.

Another major reason the blood supply is safe and trustworthy, Dr. Kamille West-Mitchell of the National Institute of Health Clinical Center Blood Bank noted, “are the donor screening requirements that blood donation sites have in place to ensure the safety of both donors and blood recipients.” On the day a person shows up to give blood, some of the requirements they must meet are to:

• Be in good health — meaning that you feel well and can perform normal activities
• Have a healthy pulse and blood pressure
• Register a normal temperature — not a fever
• Meet their state’s minimum age requirement
• Not have a low hemoglobin level
• Not have HIV, hepatitis, or risk factors for these infections and other blood transmissible infections
• Not have donated blood in the last 56 days

Once the person’s blood leaves the donation site, it is carefully tested and screened for major known transfusion-transmissible agents such as HIV and hepatitis B and C to ensure it is safe, then stored at the right temperature before it is shipped where needed.

“Blood is always in demand because it’s perishable. But the good news is most people can donate blood,” West-Mitchell said. Finding a place to donate is simple, as there are blood donation sites in nearly every community. For more information about blood donation and safety, visit the NHLBI’s Blood Diseases & Disorders Education Program at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/blood/donation.

2022-11-02T16:01:00

(BPT) – The countdown is on! The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period ends Dec. 7, and it’s that time of year when you can change your Medicare plan (that is if you want to!). Now is the time to evaluate your current plan and see if it’s still a good fit.

This year, the top carriers have added several new benefits, making 2023 a good year to find a new Medicare Advantage plan. Here are just a few highlights from the nation’s top insurance carriers.

United HealthCare

• National rollout of their UCard, which combines customers’ membership cards with their shopping benefit into one integrated card
• Up to $3,600 to spend on over-the-counter items, groceries, even utilities
• Enhanced dental benefits on 96% of their Medicare Advantage plans, which covers all non-cosmetic dental care including dentures and implants, and no out-of-pocket costs up to the annual coverage limit on most plans
• $0 co-pays when visiting your primary care doctor

Cigna

• Cigna Healthy Today flex card will be available to all plans. The card combines additional benefits and incentives to earn money, up to $200, for wellness activities
• 25% more plans have the Part B premium rebate benefit, with up to $130 added back to a Medicare customer’s Social Security check every month
• At least one $0 monthly premium Medicare Advantage plan in every market

Humana

• Health Option Allowance of up to $3,300 per year will be available for most Dual Medicare Advantage members to spend on things like rent, groceries, utilities, over-the-counter items and more
• 73% more plans that offer Part B premium giveback
• Comprehensive dental benefits on some plans with a yearly allowance of $500 or more
• 78% of new plans have $0 monthly premiums

WellCare

• $0 monthly premiums, $0 or low co-pays for primary care physicians, and $0 lab and X-ray services on most MA plans
• Up to $1,000 Flex spending cards are available on many plans for dental, vision, and hearing benefits on some MA plans
• All Part D plans will include $0 tier 1 (most generic) drugs when filled at preferred pharmacies
• Amazon is now a preferred pharmacy provider

Aetna

• Aetna Medicare Extra Benefits Card is a prepaid debit card for over-the-counter items, groceries, utilities and transportation
• 95% of MA plans will include dental benefits, which include preventive and comprehensive dental services and allows the member to choose any licensed dentist, in or out of network
• Healthy Rewards Program encourages plan members to improve their health and well-being by rewarding them with $150 or more on personalized activities

With so many new benefits for 2023, it may be overwhelming to choose which plan is right for you. The caring, licensed agents at ClearMatch^TM Medicare are patient and helpful, and will check to see if plans with these new benefits are available in your area. And, if they find you are already in a great plan, they’ll tell you so. If you’d like help, call 1-888-921-1286 (TTY:711) for a free Medicare review, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET) or visit ClearMatchMedicare.com, open 24-7.

2022-11-02T06:01:00

• Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking medicines that affect the way certain liver enzymes work. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if your medicine is one of these.

What are other possible side effects of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR?

If you are a carrier of the Hepatitis B or C virus (viruses that affect the liver), the virus may become active while you use XELJANZ. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests before starting and while using treatment with XELJANZ. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs of these symptoms: feel very tired, little or no appetite, clay-colored bowel movements, chills, muscle aches, skin rash, skin or eyes look yellow, vomiting, fevers, stomach discomfort, or dark urine.

Common side effects in people with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), headache, diarrhea, nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis), and high blood pressure (hypertension).

Common side effects in people with ulcerative colitis include nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis), increased cholesterol levels, headache, upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), increased muscle enzyme levels, rash, diarrhea, and shingles (herpes zoster).

Common side effects in children (2 & older) with polyarticular course juvenile arthritis include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), nasal congestion, sore throat, and runny nose (nasopharyngitis), headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

XELJANZ & Pregnancy

XELJANZ may affect the ability of females to get pregnant. It is not known if this will change after stopping XELJANZ. It is not known if XELJANZ will harm an unborn baby.

• Pregnancy Registry: Pfizer has a registry for pregnant women who take XELJANZ. The purpose of this registry is to check the health of the pregnant mother and her baby. If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking XELJANZ, talk to your healthcare provider about how you can join this pregnancy registry, or you may contact the registry at 1-877-311-8972 to enroll.

You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take XELJANZ or breastfeed. You should not do both. After you stop your treatment with XELJANZ do not start breastfeeding again until 18 hours after your last dose of XELJANZ or 36 hours after your last dose of XELJANZ XR.

What is XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR?

XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR (tofacitinib) is used to treat adults with:

• Moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis when 1 or more medicines called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have been used, and did not work well or cannot be tolerated
• Active psoriatic arthritis when 1 or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker medicines have been used, and did not work well or cannot be tolerated
• Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis when 1 or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker medicines have been used, and did not work well or cannot be tolerated
• Active ankylosing spondylitis when 1 or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker medicines have bene used, and did not work well or cannot be tolerated

It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in people with Hepatitis B or C.

XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR/XELJANZ Oral Solution is not recommended for people with severe liver problems.

It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ Oral Solution is safe and effective in children for treatment other than active polyarticular course juvenile arthritis.

It is not known if XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in children.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.

August 2022; PP-XEL-USA-7764

2022-11-01T08:01:00

(BPT) – This article was sponsored and developed by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Amy and Kim were compensated by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. to share their story.

For the approximately 40 million people who care for loved ones, this November is a time to recognize their important role during National Family Caregivers Month. Caregiving can encompass a variety of activities and their support is a critical component in the lives of those who require it.

Amy grew up as an athlete and played sports throughout college, earning 10 varsity letters. After her collegiate sports career came to an end in 1981, a friend asked if she would be interested in joining a community-level slow pitch softball team. That’s where she met her partner Kim, whose parents were sponsoring the softball team.

In 1996, Amy was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and worked with her doctors to find the right treatment plan. The diagnosis came after several major life-changing events, including an internal conflict she experienced after learning that members of her own religious community had challenging views of her relationship with Kim. Overtime, Amy’s mental health became stable, but then in the early 2010s, after experiencing extreme job dissatisfaction and the death of both of her parents, she slipped back into a deep depressive state. In 2019, she worked with her doctors and therapists to find the most effective treatment and began taking antipsychotics, which again helped to stabilize her condition.

A few months later, Amy started to experience involuntary movements, including jaw swinging, chewing movements, grimacing, and movements while sitting. “It all began in kind of a blur,” said Amy. “When I first started having the movements, I just thought, why am I doing this?” Kim also noticed these symptoms. She pointed them out and suggested that Amy talk to her doctor about the movements.

About a year and a half after realizing she had involuntary movements, Amy was referred to a neurologist, who diagnosed her with tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD is a movement disorder characterized by abnormal, involuntary movements of the tongue, jaw, trunk, or extremities, which may be disruptive and negatively impact those living with the condition. TD is associated with prolonged use of certain kinds of mental health medicines (such as antipsychotics), which help control dopamine receptors in the brain. Approximately 600,000 people in the U.S. may be affected by this condition.

Once Kim knew of Amy’s diagnosis and realized Amy may be living with TD for the rest of their lives, she took a step back to determine what she could do for Amy. Kim learned to become more aware and understanding of Amy’s needs. “Amy and I have a strong relationship. We can talk to each other and say, ‘this is what I need from you,’” Kim said. “It’s a daily thing and we’re working through it together.”

To help manage Amy’s TD, her neurologist recommended INGREZZA^® (valbenazine) capsules, the only once-daily treatment for adults with TD. INGREZZA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with movements in the face, tongue, or other body parts that cannot be controlled. It is not known if INGREZZA is safe and effective in children. The most common side effect is sleepiness (somnolence).

After Amy worked with her neurologist to find the most effective dosage, her symptoms became less prevalent, and with that she felt more confident. Individual results may vary. Some taking INGREZZA begin to notice a reduction in movements at 2 weeks with clinical results at 6 weeks*.

Please see full Important Safety Information and Prescribing Information below.

Kim saw the improvements in Amy’s symptoms a few weeks after Amy started taking INGREZZA. “Her whole attitude is different. She seems more relaxed now, while before I could tell she would be trying to stop moving, or chewing a lot of gum to hide the symptoms,” said Kim. “We are not back to our everyday life quite yet, but it feels more comfortable.” Kim is proud of her progress and plans to be there every step of the way.

By sharing their story during National Family Caregivers Month, Amy and Kim hope to shed a light on the importance of supporting a loved one with a mental health condition and helping to recognize potential symptoms of TD. They encourage others to know what TD looks like, understand the cause and the impact, and encourage people to talk to their healthcare providers about TD or related disorders.

To learn more about TD and INGREZZA, talk to your doctor or visit INGREZZA.com for more safety information.

Important Information

Approved Use

INGREZZA^® (valbenazine) capsules is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with movements in the face, tongue, or other body parts that cannot be controlled (tardive dyskinesia).

It is not known if INGREZZA is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take INGREZZA if you:

• are allergic to valbenazine, or any of the ingredients in INGREZZA.

INGREZZA may cause serious side effects, including:

• Sleepiness (somnolence). Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how INGREZZA affects you.
• Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation). INGREZZA may cause a heart problem known as QT prolongation.

Symptoms of QT prolongation may include:

fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat	shortness of breath
dizziness or fainting

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have a change in your heartbeat (a fast or irregular heartbeat), or if you faint.

• Abnormal movements (Parkinson-like). Symptoms include: shaking, body stiffness, trouble moving or walking, or keeping your balance.

Before taking INGREZZA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions including if you: have liver or heart problems, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effect of INGREZZA is sleepiness (somnolence). Other side effects include changes in balance (balance problems, dizziness) or an increased risk of falls, headache, feelings of restlessness, dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision.

These are not all of the possible side effects of INGREZZA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see accompanying INGREZZA full Product Information.

*INGREZZA was studied in a 6 week clinical trial. A total of 234 people participated in the study. Results were based on 79 people taking the recommended dose of 80 mg.

This article was sponsored and developed by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Amy and Kim were compensated by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. to share their story.

©2022 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CP-VBZ-US-2151 11/2022

2022-11-01T06:01:00

(BPT) – Health insurance can help protect you from unexpected costs if you or someone in your family gets injured or becomes ill. If you do not have health insurance through a job, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or another source, Individual and Family Plans available in the Health Insurance Marketplace can get you covered, and this is the time of year to find a plan that helps provide the best coverage for your and your family’s needs.

During the open enrollment period, there are options available that may include subsidies to help you save money out of pocket, if you’re eligible, and many people qualify for plans as low as $0 per month depending on their incomeⁱ. If you find comparing and choosing healthcare confusing, you can get help navigating your options so you can make a good decision to help safeguard your health, not just when you are sick or injured, but also through preventive care like health screenings, vaccinations, wellness visits and more — so you can stay as healthy as possible.

UnitedHealthcare Individual and Family Plans

For 2023, UnitedHealthcare is offering coverage options in the Marketplace in these 22 statesⁱⁱ, with enrollment beginning on November 1, 2022:

Alabama	Arizona
Colorado	Florida
Georgia	Illinois
Kansas	Louisiana
Maryland	Massachusetts
Michigan	Mississippi
Missouri	Nevada
New York	North Carolina
Ohio	Oklahoma
Tennessee	Texas
Virginia	Washington

The 2023 Individual and Family Plans through UnitedHealthcare in these states provide a wide range of benefits, as well as a simple enrollment process and a quality service experience once you become a member.

Health benefits included on UnitedHealthcare Individual and Family Marketplace Plans

Besides being able to find competitively-priced health plans and access to healthcare providers in-network, these plans may includeⁱⁱⁱ:

• $0 unlimited primary care
• $0 unlimited virtual urgent care^iv
• Dental and vision coverage
• Prescriptions as low as $3
• Complimentary digital fitness classes^v

Some plans also offer 24/7 virtual visits for urgent, primary, and specialty care in English and Spanish, at no additional cost^iv.

Additional highlights include:

• An opportunity to earn a $100 gift card^vi
• Health savings account options

How to enroll

To help you figure out the type of coverage that may be good for you, think back on your doctor visits, prescriptions and other medical care. This may give you an idea of what you may want to consider moving forward.

Then, go to UHCExchange.com (available in Spanish: UHCExchange.com/es) to learn more about your choices, and enroll in a plan. The 2023 open enrollment period goes from November 1, 2022 through January 15, 2023 in most states, and if you want your coverage active on January 1, 2023 you must enroll by December 15, 2022.

If you’d like assistance with finding the right plan for you and your family, you can also call 1-877-649-9797 and talk to a licensed insurance agent.

By enrolling now, you may be better prepared for whatever the next year may bring. Visit UHCExchange.com to get started today^vii.

2022-10-31T17:17:00

(BPT) – One of the best tools available to personalize treatments to help improve outcomes for women with breast cancer is gene expression profiling. The ability to determine highly specific information about an individual tumor by analyzing how the genes express themselves differently provides an opportunity to identify the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. Gene expression profiling gives unprecedented levels of information to help a woman and her doctor make the most informed decision about her treatment plan.

However, certain genomic tests have blind spots that can lead to undertreatment. A recent publication has shown a 21-gene assay to be less accurate in providing information for Black women, a group at higher risk than most. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, while breast cancer incidence rates among Black and white women are similar, their mortality rates are markedly different — 41% higher for Black women. And among women under 50, this disparity is even greater: the mortality rate of young Black women from breast cancer is double that of young white women.

Disparities in cancer care for Black women are found in all aspects of a patient’s experience — including access and representation in clinical trials, treatment, care center access and testing. While there are many complex socioeconomic factors that contribute to these racial disparities, differences in biology could play an important role. Black women are disproportionally affected by more aggressive subtypes of cancer, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. They often can benefit from more aggressive treatments or targeted therapies, so it is critical Black women and their providers have the addition of biological insights into the tumor when making treatment decisions.

Genomic insights should be accurate for everyone

Fortunately, there are gene expression tests that have more consistent results in Black women than others on the market. One of them, the MammaPrint^® test, analyzes 70 of the most important genes associated with the risk of distant metastasis — in other words, the risk the cancer will spread to distant sites. With results typically available in six days or less, MammaPrint enables quicker, more comprehensive biological insights into the tumor to enable informed decisions on pre- and post-operative treatments which can easily be ordered on a biopsy or surgical sample. It is critical healthcare providers and their patients make correct treatment decisions at the time of diagnosis so they have the best chance of cure. If the best treatment for that unique tumor isn’t selected, and the patient develops metastatic disease, it then becomes an incurable disease which will shorten the life of that woman.

It is so important to integrate all relevant information on that individual woman’s breast cancer, including genomic information into the biology of her tumor, when selecting the appropriate therapy to maximize cure while maintaining quality of life. The hardest dilemma for providers is finding the right balance between treatments aimed at maximizing cure, with the least toxic options to achieve that cure. In a recent landmark trial, nearly half of the women that appeared to have high-risk tumors based on conventional clinical assessments were actually found to have a MammaPrint Low Risk result, and were able to safely forgo chemotherapy in favor of other less toxic treatment options without compromising their chances for survival.

Another innovative test, BluePrint^®, that can be ordered with MammaPrint, examines 80 genes to identify the molecular subtype of an individual tumor. The tumor is then accurately classified as one of three subtypes, revealing valuable information about its behavior, what drives its growth, long-term prognosis, and response to therapy. When the test is ordered on the biopsy tissue, results are typically ready in time for a patient’s pre-operative consultation, so the care team has the right insights for the right treatment at the right time. In a recent study, 22% of patients were further classified from their original subtype based on clinical or pathological factors into a molecular subtype — identifying an opportunity to tailor appropriate treatments to that patient’s specific molecular profile – which they otherwise would not have known — and predict likelihood of treatment response.

“Having detailed information about the biology of a woman’s cancer quickly helps pinpoint the most effective and timely treatment, and by ordering MammaPrint and BluePrint, a physician will be more confident in selecting the treatment option best suited for her individual tumor, no matter her race,” said acclaimed breast surgeon Dr. Princess Thomas Williams from the Breast Care Specialists of Carolina. “These tests provide the most specific information we can currently get to help women of all backgrounds receive the best possible health outcomes, and it’s important to remember not all genomic tests are the same. Using the most comprehensive one can ensure the results are consistent regardless of race and ethnicity so you can rely on the insights when making critical treatment decisions.”

Because the MammaPrint and BluePrint tests analyze a total of 150 genes in the tumor — more than any other RNA gene expression test — they are able to capture the diversity of pathways driving tumor metastasis and tumor growth. In fact, the BluePrint test is the only test capable of identifying the hormone-receptor-positive cancer tumors that will actually clinically behave like triple negative breast cancers which are some of the aggressive tumors necessitating more aggressive therapy to ensure strong outcomes. Studies have shown Black women had more than double the chance of having that higher risk ER+/Basal type of tumor than white women. Only BluePrint can identify these higher risk Black women who otherwise could have been undertreated had they not had their gene expression profile.

The need for more diverse clinical testing

Beyond the immediate need to ensure each woman with breast cancer has the information she needs to make timely decisions about treatment with her care team, there is also a need for genomic information that is representative of and effective for diverse patient groups. Black women comprise only 1-3% of clinical trial participants, despite being seven times more likely to die as result of breast cancer than white women.

It’s important to shine a light on these disparities, and more progress needs to be made to improve outcomes for Black women with breast cancer. It’s vital to recruit more Black women to participate in clinical trials so they are represented in the data being used to guide care. Improvements can start just days after diagnosis by giving Black women access to the best gene expression profiling of their tumor that they can rely on for their specific cancer.

To learn more and access resources on the right genomic test for you, visit agendia.com.

2022-10-28T06:01:00

(BPT) – Kim Pfleeger was ready. Clad in gym clothes, she leaned against the wall outside the locker room, eager to return to the basketball court. Her dad, Randy, would be out any second, and they’d finally settle who really was the best free-throw shooter in the family — or maybe they would just play a friendly game of one-on-one and enjoy each other’s company like usual.

Any moment now, Randy would emerge from the locker room, and it would be game on. But Kim waited. And waited.

Nearly an hour passed before her father emerged.

“It was very frightening and scary,” Kim said. She found out later that her dad, who had early-onset Parkinson’s disease, experienced a freezing episode in the locker room, unable to move for a half hour. Kim said this marked a turning point for her as a care partner in her father’s journey with the neurodegenerative disorder. “That’s when I really realized he couldn’t overcome some of the symptoms he was experiencing. There were some he could work through but some he couldn’t.”

Every day was different

Randy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease when Kim was in high school. She said it was hard for her to understand his shocking diagnosis and how it would impact him since he was such an active person.

As the disease progressed, Randy was forced to rely more heavily on his family. He retired from his job as a trial attorney and went from running to riding his bike to cross-country skiing to swimming, adjusting to stay active for as long as possible. He didn’t want to stay home and watch TV — he was a doer, a talker and a jokester who craved company.

Kim, a Ph.D. and senior scientific director of Neuroscience Development at AbbVie, a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, said she remembers every day being different. Days that Randy rallied were followed by days that seemed especially tough. But Kim said he was never bitter, always looking for solutions and separating himself from the disorder, saying, “It’s the disease, not me.”

When the disease progressed to the point where Randy couldn’t physically care for himself, Kim said her stepmom became his primary care partner. She devoted her time to helping him day and night. “She had to deal with a lot which took a mental and physical toll. I’ll be forever grateful for the care she gave my father,” Kim said.

The weight of advanced Parkinson’s disease

Research shows that more than half of caregivers for people with advanced Parkinson’s disease report moderate to severe burden of disease and an impact on their quality of life and overall health.

Dr. Jill Farmer, DO, MPH, assistant professor of neurology, and director, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Program, Global Neuroscience Institute, says caring for people with advanced Parkinson’s can result in significant mental and physical strain. “From practical matters like medication administration to assisting with hygiene routines, to being their loved ones’ advocates, care partners take on many responsibilities that increase as the disease progresses,” Farmer said. “It’s important for care partners to take care of themselves and their needs – it is not selfish, it is essential. Finding a network of support and methods to reduce stress are vital to caring for yourself and your loved one. It’s critical they have reassurance that it’s hard and completely normal to get frustrated and sad. Realizing they are not alone and sharing experiences helps normalize an abnormal situation. These connections can be made through support groups, therapy, or being honest with family and friends.”

Staying positive

When Randy found out that the company Kim works for is actively involved in Parkinson’s disease research, he was thrilled. “He was so proud of me working for AbbVie and that we were investigating therapies for people [like him],” Kim said.

Despite Randy’s difficult journey and its impact on him and his family, Kim said he always maintained a positive attitude. He would get frustrated at his symptoms, but he didn’t let that stop him from making the most of every day. As he progressed further, eventually developing dementia, Kim said there were still “really great” moments when he was cognizant and engaging with others. She could see him in those moments — her dad was still there, still joking, even if he had changed.

If you, or someone you know, needs help in identifying changes in PD symptoms and could benefit from tips on how to discuss these changes with a healthcare provider, visit MyPD-Care.com.

Sponsored by AbbVie