Category: Brandpoint Health

2025-02-21T08:31:00

(BPT) – Imagine you haven’t slept in 72 hours and every step you take feels like you’re walking through wet cement. Then imagine you experience this feeling every day. This is how excessive daytime sleepiness can feel for people living with narcolepsy, a rare neurological disorder that can affect all aspects of a person’s daily life. Approximately 170,000 people in the United States are thought to be living with narcolepsy.

All people living with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness, which means they struggle to stay awake and alert during the day, or they constantly feel sleepy. This can impact their daily lives at work or at home in many ways. They may have trouble staying awake while being sedentary or inactive, such as during meetings or while reading. Some may also experience difficulty with memory, concentration, and attention due to excessive daytime sleepiness. Their sleepiness may affect interactions and relationships with family and friends. Excessive daytime sleepiness can be mistaken for symptoms of other disorders, making a narcolepsy diagnosis challenging.

Many people living with narcolepsy struggle with symptoms for years before getting the right diagnosis, often taking 8 to 15 years. For Lindsay and Matt, it was no different.

The road to a diagnosis

Lindsay was just 16 years old when she began experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness. “When I go back through my memory, some days are perfectly clear. Then there are other days, months, seasons, and even years that feel like looking through a diary with blank pages. That reflects how sleepy I was at that time,” Lindsay described. “I was going through life feeling like I was moving underneath a weighted blanket.”

For nearly two decades, Lindsay pursued an explanation for her excessive daytime sleepiness with different healthcare providers, but to no avail. It wasn’t until she was 35 years old that she found a sleep specialist and was ultimately diagnosed with narcolepsy.

Matt’s excessive daytime sleepiness became very disruptive when he was 12 years old, long before his diagnosis of narcolepsy. He tried to sneak in what he called “mini-sleeps,” or 15-minute naps, whenever possible to make it through the different activities in his day, often taking two such naps between waking up in the morning and arriving at school. “I would find myself waking up, taking a shower, eating breakfast, taking a nap on the couch. Going to school, while my mom drove, I would be taking a nap,” Matt recalled. His sleepiness led to feelings of depression, which impacted his life and may have delayed his eventual diagnosis of narcolepsy.

By the time he was in his mid-twenties, Matt had seen various healthcare providers but still had no answers. Then he found a sleep specialist. “I went into his office, and he gave me a very exhaustive questionnaire. It asked questions about clumsiness and about slumping over — things that I thought were actually normal,” he said. After hearing Matt’s history, how he was feeling, and evaluating his sleep study results, the sleep specialist diagnosed Matt with narcolepsy with cataplexy. Cataplexy is the sudden and brief loss of muscle strength often brought on by strong emotions or certain situations.

“When assessing someone for narcolepsy, healthcare providers often use questionnaires such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (commonly called ESS) along with a diagnostic test such as the MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test) to aid in their diagnosis,” explained, Dr. Alcibiades Rodriguez, MD, a board-certified neurologist and sleep specialist at New York University Langone Medical Center. “While sleep tests are an important part of confirming a diagnosis, it is important for me to ask how sleepiness impacts someone’s daily life. Questions like, what are some things you would like to be doing that you can’t do because of your excessive daytime sleepiness?”

The impact of a narcolepsy diagnosis

Receiving an official diagnosis can bring a sense of relief since it provides validation and an official name for what people are experiencing, but it’s just the first step to living with narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a lifelong disorder and is often portrayed inaccurately in the media. This can add to the burden and stigma people living with narcolepsy often feel because others often aren’t familiar with the disorder or only know what they’ve seen portrayed in the media.

Matt found comfort in his diagnosis and was open about his disorder with others, but he struggled to find information about what he was experiencing. When he was diagnosed in 2007 at age 25, there wasn’t a lot of support and resources available, so he did his own research through university websites and textbooks. Matt had trouble understanding his diagnosis because the excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy he’d experienced differed from the way narcolepsy was shown in the media. “I was trying to project my own experiences onto what I was seeing, and that wasn’t what the reality was,” he shared.

For Lindsay, receiving a narcolepsy diagnosis made her feel grief for who she once was. “When I first got diagnosed, I really did not want anybody to know,” Lindsay recounted. “I did not talk about it, which is very counter to who I am. The idea of people knowing that I had narcolepsy felt really scary to me.”

The importance of sharing lived experiences and community support

Connecting with the narcolepsy community helped give Lindsay a new perspective on living with her disorder. “Getting involved was an opportunity to not just be surrounded by other people living with narcolepsy, but to be surrounded by people with narcolepsy who were using their voices to make positive change,” Lindsay said. Now, Lindsay regularly writes and speaks publicly about her diagnosis and sleep health to help others on their journey.

Matt also found inspiration within the community. Recalling the lack of resources available to him after diagnosis, he wanted to share his story, his lived experience to help raise awareness for others. On social media and other online platforms, he was able to support others in the narcolepsy community and feel more supported himself.

“Getting the right diagnosis is just the first step in a person living with narcolepsy’s journey. Even though life after diagnosis can be challenging, the right resources, support system, and the narcolepsy community are there to help,” shared Dr. Rodriguez. “Organizations like Narcolepsy Network, Project Sleep, and Wake Up Narcolepsy host events, offer programs and have different ways for people living with narcolepsy to connect with each other, share experiences, and help to drive broader awareness,” he said. “Access to resources can help people with narcolepsy stay informed and feel supported in their journey.”

In addition to these organizations, Know Narcolepsy is another resource. Visit KnowNarcolepsy.com to learn more.

Harmony Biosciences and logo are trademarks of Harmony Biosciences Management, Inc. and are used herein by permission.
© 2025 Harmony Biosciences. All rights reserved.
US-NAR-2400154/Feb 2025

2025-02-21T08:01:00

(BPT) – After overcoming multiple health challenges, Kasey was eager to embrace a new chapter in her life with her husband and young children, filled with hope and excitement. Having celebrated four years of sobriety from injection drug use at the time, she was passionate about working with other women in her community to help them achieve the same. When her own health-related concerns led her to a doctor’s visit, her doctor asked Kasey about other areas of her health, including her hepatitis C (HCV) status.

HCV is a viral infection that attacks the liver and is spread through blood-to-blood contact, which is why people who inject drugs are more likely to acquire the condition.¹ “My doctor explained to me that HCV testing is not part of a routine check-up and needs to be requested, and I realized that I was never tested for the condition in previous wellness check-ups or during my pregnancies,” Kasey recounts.

After testing, Kasey’s doctor delivered the news that she was living with HCV. “The result was not surprising to me, but it brought a lot of shame and guilt around wishing I had known to get tested for HCV earlier. I was nervous, sad and scared, not only for myself, but for my partner and kids who would need to be tested as well,” Kasey explains.

HCV is often spread through injection drug use, and as such, the opioid epidemic has exacerbated transmission rates over the past decade.² Data show that this has led to a resurgence of new cases as injection drug use accounts for a majority (approximately 70%) of new HCV cases.³

Kasey’s experience is more common than you’d think. Coined the ‘silent disease,’ HCV symptoms can go unnoticed, and if left untreated, can progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and/or liver cancer.^1,4 Of the nearly 4 million people living with HCV in the U.S., an estimated 40% are unaware they have it.⁵

Getting tested is the only way to know if someone is living with HCV and is the first step toward curing their disease.⁶ In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults are tested at least once in their life and encourages more regular testing for individuals who meet additional criteria, such as a history of injection drug use.⁷

The good news is that curative options are available. With guidance from her doctor, Kasey started treatment with the direct acting antiviral (DAA), EPCLUSA^® (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) 400mg/100mg, a prescription medicine to treat adults with chronic HCV genotype 1-6 infection with or without cirrhosis (compensated). She was also happy to learn that there was an average cure rate of 98% in clinical studies*, and that her treatment only required one pill a day for 12 weeks. EPCLUSA can also be taken during addiction recovery and with other common medications.⁸

“As a mother, I was worried treatment would interrupt my daily life, but the once-daily pill was easy for me,” Kasey says. “I developed my own, unique system to track my pills, so I didn’t forget to take my medication.” Throughout Kasey’s HCV treatment, she experienced side effects like nausea and fatigue.⁹ Three months after completing treatment, she received the news that the virus was undetectable in her latest blood test and that she was cured of HCV.

A lack of knowledge of the disease, fear of side effects from medication and the potential of stigma for seeking treatment may further prevent people from getting tested.¹⁰ Additionally, advances in medicine are further undermined by complex factors like the opioid epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic, which have limited access to care for many.^{11, 12} To date, acute HCV cases in the U.S. have doubled in the past ten years, with 70% of those acute cases becoming chronic HCV.¹

Vulnerable populations, like people who inject drugs, often experience gaps in care or may not be prioritized for treatment.¹³ However, there is strong evidence to support that treating these individuals may be critical in achieving HCV elimination efforts, emphasizing the importance of expanding screening and treatment public health initiatives.¹⁴ On average, each person who injects drugs and is living with HCV is likely to transmit the disease to about 20 others.¹⁵ As such, curing HCV in one individual who injects drugs may therefore help reduce further transmission. “I knew that seeking a cure was the best choice for me and my family. There will always be good and bad days, but it is important to focus on the positives as a way to move forward,” Kasey states.

Following her own HCV and addiction recovery story, Kasey understands firsthand how stigma can often make it harder to seek out help and support. “While everyone’s experience is unique, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to face this journey by yourself,” Kasey remarks. Approaching HCV treatment holistically with the help of doctors, community organizers and public health officials can help people get on the path to cure. “At a minimum, I hope sharing my personal experience helps people feel empowered to get tested.”

Today, Kasey is nearly seven years sober, working with women in the addiction recovery community, and applying to masters programs to expand her substance use counseling credentials. “I’m now back living in the town [where] I was in active addiction, so it’s motivation to continue being the healthiest version of myself and encouraging others in the community to do the same,” she says proudly.

“Going through my own recovery and liver health journey, I want to inspire others who may be experiencing something similar,” Kasey adds. Her advice for others who are undergoing HCV treatment or think they should get tested? “No one has to ever feel alone in HCV. There is a supportive community of safety and love for people across the spectrum of care, including those who may be at risk for HCV, are undergoing treatment, or are in recovery, offering a space of understanding and empowerment for everyone in their journey.”

Learn more at www.epclusa.com or talk to your healthcare provider to see if EPCLUSA may be right for you or a loved one.

*98% cure rate is an average from studies of genotype 1-6 patients without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis

Please see Important Facts about EPCLUSA including Important Warnings for hepatitis B reactivation.

What is EPCLUSA?

EPCLUSA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with chronic (lasting a long time) hepatitis C (Hep C) genotype 1-6 infection with or without cirrhosis (compensated).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about EPCLUSA?

EPCLUSA can cause serious side effects, including:

• Hepatitis B virus reactivation: Before starting EPCLUSA treatment, your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for hepatitis B infection. If you have ever had hepatitis B, the hepatitis B virus could become active again during and after treatment with EPCLUSA. This may cause serious liver problems including liver failure and death. If you are at risk, your healthcare provider will monitor you during and after taking EPCLUSA.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking EPCLUSA?

• Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you have ever had hepatitis B infection, liver problems other than hepatitis C infection, or a liver transplant; if you have kidney problems or are on dialysis; if you have HIV; or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. It is not known if EPCLUSA will harm your unborn baby or pass into your breast milk.
• Tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. EPCLUSA and certain other medicines may affect each other, or may cause side effects.

What are the possible side effects of EPCLUSA?

Serious side effects may also include:

• Slow heart rate (bradycardia): EPCLUSA, when taken with amiodarone (Cordarone^®, Nexterone^®, Pacerone^®), a medicine used to treat certain heart problems, may cause slow heart rate. In some cases slow heart rate has led to death or the need for a pacemaker when amiodarone is taken with medicines containing sofosbuvir. Get medical help right away if you take amiodarone with EPCLUSA and get any of the following symptoms: fainting or near-fainting, dizziness or lightheadedness, not feeling well, weakness, extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, chest pains, confusion, or memory problems.
• The most common side effects of EPCLUSA in adults include headache and tiredness.

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

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

Please see Important Facts about EPCLUSA including Important Warnings.

A message from Gilead Sciences, Inc.

EPCLUSA and GILEAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc. or its related companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

©2025 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-EPCC-0271 02/25

References

1. CDC. Hepatitis C Surveillance 2022. April 2024. (2022 Hepatitis C | Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Report | CDC)
2. Mateu-Gelabert P, Sabounchi NS, Guarino H, et al. Hepatitis C virus risk among young people who inject drugs. Front Public Health. 2022;10:835836. Published 2022 Jul 29. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.835836
3. Key Populations: Identification and management of HCV in people who inject drugs | HCV Guidance (n.d.). (https://www.hcvguidelines.org/unique-populations/pwid)
4. CDC. Transcript: Hepatitis C Briefing. Jun 2023. (https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/t0629-hepc-briefing.html)
5. CDC. New CDC Data Reveal Less Than a Third of People Diagnosed with Hepatitis C Receive Timely Treatment for the Deadly, yet Curable, Infection. Aug 2022. (https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/releases/2022/2022-Hep-C-Vital-Signs.html)
6. CDC. Viral Hepatitis Basics. Jul 2024 (https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/about/index.html)
7. CDC. Clinical Screening and Diagnosis for Hepatitis C. Dec 2023. (https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-c/hcp/diagnosis-testing/index.html)
8. EPCLUSA [prescribing information]. Foster City, CA: Gilead Sciences, Inc; April 2022
9. Hayes KN, Burkard T, Weiler S, Tadrous M, Burden AM. Global adverse events reported for direct-acting antiviral therapies for the treatment of hepatitis C: an analysis of the World Health Organization VigiBase. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;33(1S Suppl 1):e1017-e1021. doi:10.1097/MEG.0000000000002173
10. McGowan CE, Fried MW. Barriers to hepatitis C treatment. Liver Int. 2012;32 Suppl 1(0 1):151-156. doi:10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02706.x
11. Perlman DC, Jordan AE. The Syndemic of Opioid Misuse, Overdose, HCV, and HIV: Structural-Level Causes and Interventions. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2018;15(2):96-112. doi:10.1007/s11904-018-0390-3
12. CDC. National Profile of Viral Hepatitis. Aug 2022. (https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/statistics/2020surveillance/introduction/national-profile.htm)
13. Arain A, Robaeys G. Eligibility of persons who inject drugs for treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(36):12722-12733. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i36.12722
14. Day E, Hellard M, Treloar C, et al. Hepatitis C elimination among people who inject drugs: Challenges and recommendations for action within a health systems framework. Liver Int. 2019;39(1):20-30. doi:10.1111/liv.13949
15. NIH. Viral Hepatitis. (https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/viral-hepatitis)

2025-02-19T09:01:00

(BPT) – Is strength training a regular part of your gym workout? If not, it’s time to add a few sets in to your fitness routine.

Cardio is great, but it’s better when paired with strength training. Each type of exercise has its own role to play. Cardio — as the name implies — supports your cardiovascular health and can improve your endurance and lung capacity. Strength training helps you build muscle mass, which plays a significant part in maintaining your overall health and wellness.

Why is building muscle important?

As you age, you naturally lose lean muscle mass. Regular strength training can help you gain and maintain lean muscle mass, which can also help improve your balance.

According to the Mayo Clinic, strength training is a key component of overall health and fitness and can help you:

• Develop strong bones
• Manage weight
• Improve your quality of life
• Manage chronic conditions
• Enhance your thinking skills

Strength training can also help you meet your fitness goals more efficiently than cardio alone.

If you’re new to strength training, it can be intimidating to start. A good goal is to aim for 2-3 days of strength training workouts per week in a comfortable environment. Below, you’ll find three strength machine exercises that can help you get started on your journey of getting stronger.

1. Supine bench press

A supine bench press can be used to work your chest, shoulders and triceps using a natural, strength-building motion.

To perform this exercise on a machine, lie on your back on the bench with your feet flat on the ground. Add your choice of weighted plates, starting small, and grip the handles to raise the weight over your chest. Keep your arms slightly wider than your shoulders. Lower the machine to your chest, elbows out, pause for a moment, and then press them back up.

2. Hack squats

Squats help strengthen your body’s base and improve your stability and posture. When you do squats, you’re targeting your quads and glutes, providing a complete lower body workout.

A variation on the traditional squat is a hack squat. A hack squat is performed on a special piece of equipment that may remind you of a reverse leg press machine.

Performing a hack squat is fairly simple. Stand in the hack squat machine with your feet on the platform, about shoulder width apart, and rest your shoulders and hips on the back rest. Grab the handlebars, inhale, and bend your knees until you’re parallel to the ground. Then, exhale and press through your feet to straighten your legs and stand.

3. Seated calf raises

How often do you think about your calf strength? Every day, your calves help you walk, run, jump and perform other daily activities. Strong calves also support your ankles, improving stability. The perfect exercise to target your calves (and also work out your hamstrings!) is a seated calf raise.

Using a plate-loaded seated calf machine, make sure you’re seated with your feet positioned slightly narrower than your hips. With a comfortable amount of weighted plates, press through your toes and lift your heels. You should feel your calf muscles squeeze. Hold for a moment, then slowly relax down. Remember to keep your knees aligned.

One place with all the equipment you need

One surefire way to safely and easily perform these three strength training exercises and more is to join a gym that has all the right equipment in a supporting community.

For example, Planet Fitness is dedicated to providing its members with best-in-class strength (and cardio) equipment. Industry trends have continued to show consumers looking for more strength equipment. To meet these demands, Planet Fitness is offering new plate-loaded equipment including Magnum Supine Bench Presses, Magnum Hack Squats and Seated Calf machines. The equipment is now in 1,700 clubs and expected to be available in nearly all clubs by the end of 2025.

New members can sign up for a high value membership with thousands of convenient locations (many open 24 hours) starting at $15 a month. To learn more and find a gym near you, visit PlanetFitness.com.

2025-02-19T10:21:26

(BPT) – After starting boot camp at just 17 years old, Heather embarked on a 13-year journey in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant, truck driver, and trainer of new recruits. While she began her military career at a healthy weight, maintaining it became a constant battle. Despite the challenges that came with trying to maintain her weight, Heather persevered, meeting the Army’s uncompromising standards and proving her resilience time and time again.

Today, around 40% of adults in the U.S. struggle with obesity—up from about 30% compared to about two decades ago.

Growing up, Heather was always larger than her peers, which hindered her from participating in certain activities—even those she enjoyed. Despite her passion for dance, the outfits often made her the subject of ridicule. Any time Heather exposed her skin or wore tight clothes, her peers would call attention to her weight. Stigma made dancing or going to the pool a particularly dreadful experience.

As the years went on, Heather became more committed to losing weight. From crash diets and supplements to weightlifting and high-intensity cardio, she tried any and every intervention that promised results, but the results never lasted.

“I tried walking, weightlifting, dieting, but nothing seemed to keep the weight off.”

After her military career ended, Heather’s weight problems only intensified. Within a year, she had gained over 80 pounds. Public spaces became hotbeds of judgment and stigma. Negative attention was commonplace. In an airplane, a person in the neighboring seat would flash her a look that said, Oh no, I have to sit next to her?

“I was constantly getting that icky energy from people who just didn’t know any better,” Heather recalls.

Obesity impacted her to a point where she could no longer be as involved with her kids.

She struggled with how she felt about herself, and despite being a lifelong extrovert, Heather retreated inward, avoiding social events as her weight increased.

“I felt trapped and did not feel good about myself. I didn’t want my kids to only see me that way.”

As Heather searched for weight loss solutions, she came to learn that obesity is a chronic disease, which can be influenced by many things such as genetic, environmental, and physiologic factors. She realized that managing excess weight is not simply a matter of willpower or personal responsibility, and often requires comprehensive care, treatment and support. Finally, Heather spoke to her doctor.

After discussing multiple treatment options, they decided that Zepbound^® (tirzepatide) along with diet and exercise was the best fit for her.

Zepbound is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults with obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems, to lose excess body weight and keep the weight off. Zepbound should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Zepbound contains tirzepatide and should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children.

Please see below Select Safety Information

Warning: Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rats, Zepbound and medicines that work like Zepbound caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Zepbound will cause thyroid tumors, or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. Do not take Zepbound if you or any of your family have ever had MTC or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Please see below Indications and Safety Summary with Warnings for Zepbound

Along with Zepbound, Heather’s exercise routine includes hikes in the park near her house, jogs around the block, and activities with her kids. Heather loves grilling fresh veggies and lean proteins. She feels good and has a fresh outlook on life. “Zepbound was one of the important missing puzzle pieces for me,” says Heather. “Obesity was holding me back, as it does for so many others, but you don’t have to face it alone. Talking to my doctor about Zepbound, along with diet and exercise, really helped me lose weight and keep it off.”

Watch Heather’s patient testimonial to learn more about Heather and her weight journey.

If you’re an adult struggling with obesity, ask your doctor about Zepbound. Zepbound may be able to help you reach your weight loss goals, along with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. Visit Zepbound.com to learn more.

INDICATIONS AND SAFETY SUMMARY WITH WARNINGS

Zepbound^® (ZEHP-bownd) is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults with:

• obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems to lose excess body weight and keep the weight off.

• moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity to improve their OSA.

It should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Zepbound contains tirzepatide and should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children.

Warnings – Zepbound may cause tumors in the thyroid, including thyroid cancer. Watch for possible symptoms, such as a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider.

• Do not use Zepbound if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

• Do not use Zepbound if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

• Do not use Zepbound if you have had a serious allergic reaction to tirzepatide or any of the ingredients in Zepbound.

Zepbound may cause serious side effects, including:

Severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Zepbound. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away.

Kidney problems (kidney failure). Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.

Gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who use Zepbound. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems, which may include pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools.

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Zepbound and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.

Serious allergic reactions. Stop using Zepbound and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, or very rapid heartbeat.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Zepbound with medicines that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, sweating, confusion or drowsiness, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, shakiness, fast heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, mood changes, hunger, weakness or feeling jittery.

Changes in vision in patients with type 2 diabetes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Zepbound.

Depression or thoughts of suicide. You should pay attention to changes in your mood, behaviors, feelings or thoughts. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you.

Food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Zepbound may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Zepbound before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.

Common side effects

The most common side effects of Zepbound include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdominal) pain, indigestion, injection site reactions, feeling tired, allergic reactions, belching, hair loss, and heartburn. These are not all the possible side effects of Zepbound. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or doesn’t go away.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects. You can report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before using Zepbound

• Your healthcare provider should show you how to use Zepbound before you use it for the first time.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking medicines to treat diabetes including an insulin or sulfonylurea which could increase your risk of low blood sugar. Talk to your healthcare provider about low blood sugar levels and how to manage them.

• If you take birth control pills by mouth, talk to your healthcare provider before you use Zepbound. Birth control pills may not work as well while using Zepbound. Your healthcare provider may recommend another type of birth control for 4 weeks after you start Zepbound and for 4 weeks after each increase in your dose of Zepbound.

Review these questions with your healthcare provider:

• Do you have other medical conditions, including problems with your pancreas or kidneys, or severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food?
• Do you take diabetes medicines, such as insulin or sulfonylureas?
• Do you have a history of diabetic retinopathy?
• Are you scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)?
• Do you take any other prescription medicines or over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements?
• Are you pregnant, plan to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed? Zepbound may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while using Zepbound. It is not known if Zepbound passes into your breast milk. You should talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using Zepbound.

• Pregnancy Exposure Registry: There will be a pregnancy exposure registry for women who have taken Zepbound during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry, or you may contact Lilly at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979).

How to take

• Read the Instructions for Use that come with Zepbound.
• Use Zepbound exactly as your healthcare provider says.
• Use Zepbound with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
• Zepbound is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm.
• Use Zepbound 1 time each week, at any time of the day.
• Change (rotate) your injection site with each weekly injection. Do not use the same site for each injection.
• If you take too much Zepbound, call your healthcare provider, seek medical advice promptly, or contact a Poison Center expert right away at 1-800-222-1222.

Zepbound injection is approved as a 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg per 0.5 mL in single-dose pen or single-dose vial.

Learn more
Zepbound is a prescription medicine. For more information, call 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979) or go to www.zepbound.lilly.com.

This summary provides basic information about Zepbound but does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about Zepbound and how to take it. Your healthcare provider is the best person to help you decide if Zepbound is right for you.

ZP CON BS 20DEC2024
Zepbound^® and its delivery device base are registered trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

2025-02-13T06:01:00

Adding Low-Dose Colchicine, 0.5 mg to Fight Inflammation

If you are already using statins, the addition of low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg can further reduce the risk of cardiac events, including the possible prevention of a second heart attack or a stroke.

“The importance of treating inflammation as a key contributing factor to heart disease and the risk of cardiovascular events is clear,” said Andrew M. Freeman, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P., director of clinical cardiology, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness, and a professor of medicine at National Jewish Health in Denver. “By adding low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg to a patient’s treatment regimen alongside a healthy diet and exercise, we can now better treat our patients and further reduce the risk of life-threatening events — even in those who have already suffered from a heart attack or stroke.”

Low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg, is a once-daily, single oral tablet indicated to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, stroke, coronary revascularization, and cardiovascular death in adult patients with established atherosclerotic disease or with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It is the first and only therapy the Food and Drug Administration has approved as an anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event, including heart attack or stroke.

Don’t Wait — Take Action

Whether you’ve already experienced a heart attack or you’re at risk of having a cardiovascular event, it’s time to take action. This February, talk to your doctor about testing your hs-CRP levels and if adding an anti-inflammatory treatment may be right for you.

Learn more about your risk and the steps you can take to support heart health at CVDInflammation.com.

Remember: treating inflammation could be the difference between another heart scare and a healthier tomorrow. Your heart — or your loved one’s — is worth the conversation.

LD-PM-DP-021125-01-01

2025-02-12T08:01:00

(BPT) – Everyone recognizes the everyday heroism of firefighters, men and women who run toward danger to save lives and protect our communities. While their bravery carries obvious risks, firefighters also face hidden health dangers.

“Firefighters do not just face physical danger from firefighting, such as burns and injuries from falling structures,” said urologist Dr. Christopher Pieczonka, Chief Executive Officer, Associated Medical Professionals of NY. “We know from research that their professional exposure to diesel exhaust, building materials, asbestos, chemicals and other things puts them at higher risk of developing bladder cancer.”

Why do firefighters have an increased risk of developing bladder cancer?

The smoke and soot firefighters are exposed to contain a toxic mixture of chemicals called carcinogens, which are substances known to cause cancer.

These carcinogens are absorbed into the bloodstream, filtered by the kidneys and excreted through urine. Over time, this can lead to a buildup of carcinogens in the bladder, which can damage the bladder lining and potentially lead to cancer.

“Studies have shown that firefighters have a 9% higher risk of developing cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general public, underscoring the need for increased awareness and preventive measures,” Dr. Pieczonka said.

What can firefighters do to prevent bladder cancer?

While fighting fires is inherently risky, there are preventive measures firefighters can take to help protect themselves from bladder cancer while they safeguard our communities:

• Make sure your health care team knows you have a history of firefighting.
• Immediately report any symptoms of bladder cancer — like blood in the urine, frequent need to pass urine or pain when passing urine — to your health care team right away.
• Lower your risk of cancer (and other diseases) by not smoking, eating healthy, getting regular exercise, limiting alcohol consumption, reducing stress and getting enough sleep.

What treatment options are available for bladder cancer?

If diagnosed with bladder cancer, the good news is that there are treatment options available that can help avoid a cystectomy, or surgical removal of the bladder. This is especially true when it is diagnosed early as non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). NMIBC is bladder cancer that has grown on the lining of the bladder but has not spread past the innermost surface of the bladder to the muscle underneath. It is the most common type of bladder cancer.

A standard first treatment for NMIBC is a medicine called Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, or BCG, which is infused directly into the bladder by a catheter. BCG is a benign bacteria that creates an immune response in the bladder, leading to clearance of the cancer in many patients.

“BCG is an important treatment option in early-stage bladder cancer like NMIBC,” Dr. Pieczonka explained. “However, approximately 30 to 40% of patients do not respond to BCG, and about 50% who initially respond to BCG eventually experience a recurrence of their cancer. These patients are categorized as having BCG-unresponsive NMIBC.”

However, thanks to recent treatment innovations, there are reasons for people with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC to feel hopeful. In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an immunotherapy called ANKTIVA^® (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmln) that when combined with BCG, restores the immune system’s cancer-fighting activity in patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC with carcinoma in situ (CIS), with or without papillary tumors.

In a clinical trial about three out of five patients (62%) had a complete response to ANKTIVA plus BCG, meaning all signs of the cancer disappeared. A similar percentage of patients (58%) had a complete response that lasted for one year or longer, and two out of five patients (40%) continued to remain cancer free after two years of treatment. Side effects patients experienced were mild and temporary, the most common side effects were fatigue, nausea, bladder irritation and diarrhea.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line every day, not just from the immediate dangers of fires, but also from long-term health risks like NMIBC,” Dr. Pieczonka added. “Since many of these patients will be diagnosed with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC, I’m excited that ANKTIVA provides the possibility of years of cancer-free living while avoiding the life-altering impact of surgical bladder removal.”

ANKTIVA was researched and developed by ImmunityBio. The company is dedicated to supporting the health and safety of firefighters through research, advocacy and education. For more information about ANKTIVA, visit https://anktiva.com.

This article is sponsored by ImmunityBio, Inc.

ANKTIVA Indication and Important Safety Information

Patients treated with ANKTIVA plus BCG may still be at risk for more serious muscle-invasive or metastatic bladder cancer, which can be life threatening if bladder removal is delayed. If you don’t respond to a second round of ANKTIVA with BCG, bladder removal surgery should be considered. Before starting ANKTIVA, tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant as ANKTIVA may cause fetal harm. Common side effects include abnormal laboratory results, increased creatinine, painful urination, blood in urine, frequent urination, urgent need to urinate, urinary tract infections, high potassium, muscle pain, chills, and fever.

For more information, visit Anktiva dot com or call 1-877-ANKTIVA. (1-877-265-8482).

ANK-00173-US January 2025

2025-02-12T07:11:00

(BPT) – Up to 10 million Americans live with seborrheic dermatitis (seb derm), a chronic inflammatory skin condition with a range of possible symptoms. Whether it’s persistent itch, redness, scaly skin, or flakes on the scalp, face, back, or chest — the physical symptoms may be unpleasant and bothersome. But it’s the mental and psychological impact from those symptoms that can really impact people’s lives.

Grace knows this all too well. She has been living with seb derm since she was 8 years old, and was formally diagnosed at age 12. Grace has regularly experienced redness and peeling around her nose and eyebrows, flakiness on her scalp, and even hypopigmentation around her hairline. Symptoms can come and go, with people with seb derm like Grace experiencing flare-ups which can be triggered by emotional or physical stress, or lack of sleep. Climate can play a role too, with heat and sun exposure also triggering a flare-up. Sometimes, those with seb derm don’t know what triggers their symptoms. They just know that the symptoms come back, sometimes at the most inconvenient moments.

It’s the visibility of seb derm that can be especially challenging for those affected. Like other skin conditions, seborrheic dermatitis is out there in the open for others to see. There’s a stigma wrapped up in those affected areas — with people sometimes believing the disease is caused by poor hygiene or that it is contagious. Neither of these are true. The exact causes are not completely understood, but evidence suggests that seb derm is an inflammatory condition where genetics, individual risk factors, and an overproduction of oil may contribute to the condition. Seb derm is the third most common skin condition for African Americans seen in the dermatology clinic.

Shrinking from the spotlight: How seb derm can impact your life

Seb derm is a common condition, but as far as Grace was concerned, that didn’t matter. She only knew people could see her symptoms and she felt self-conscious about it.

“For years, I have been hyperconscious of my skin,” Grace said. “I was frightened that someone would pick up on what was happening on my face or scalp.”

The condition affected her day-to-day life in a variety of negative ways, including evolving to her feeling smaller, less seen, more isolated. Seb derm caused Grace to avoid drawing attention to herself, and even on days without flare-ups, she remained constantly aware that one could develop at any moment. This awareness influenced everything — from how close Grace allowed people to get to her, to her clothing choices, and even her willingness to be photographed.

“Seborrheic dermatitis made me shrink from the spotlight,” she said.

One of the most problematic aspects of the condition for Grace was how it affected her hair and scalp.

“Like many Black women, my relationship with my hair defined much of my journey to adulthood. I played sports in my school years and as an adult I travel a lot. While many of my peers relied on braided styles to protect their hair from these stressors, I avoided them. Years of managing this condition shaped my daily routines. I developed daily habits from avoiding certain hairstyles that exposed my scalp, steering clear of black clothing, and never leaving the house without moisturizer.”

Like the disease itself, the treatment landscape for seborrheic dermatitis was complicated. Dermatologists and other healthcare professionals often had to prescribe multiple products for use on different parts of their bodies, or for different lengths of time. Hair-bearing areas like the scalp made it difficult to apply topicals like creams, ointments, and gels.

Grace has been through all of that. She tried everything, but nothing worked for long. It was, frankly, exhausting. And then, her dermatology specialist decided it was time for something else.

Grace finally finds relief

Grace’s specialist suggested she try ZORYVE (roflumilast) topical foam, 0.3%, a once-daily, steroid-free, leave-in topical foam that treats seborrheic dermatitis and symptoms like flaking, redness, and itching.

It’s the first foam of its kind, and was studied in clinical trials of 683 people with seborrheic dermatitis, including 458 people who used ZORYVE foam and 225 people who used a vehicle (a foam without the active drug). Results were promising. With ZORYVE, 77% had Clear or Almost Clear skin at 8 weeks compared to 53% who used vehicle. In one of the trials, 63% of 206 people had significant itch relief with ZORYVE at Week 8 versus 41% of 98 people using vehicle.

The most common side effects of ZORYVE include common cold, nausea, and headache.

After speaking with her specialist, Grace decided to give ZORYVE a try. Applying it was easy, and the foam formulation allowed her to target specific spots on her scalp where she is prone to flare-ups.

“ZORYVE doesn’t dampen my hair, which is great because dampness leads to frizz which disrupts my styling products,” Grace said. “Having a product that does not interfere with my hair styling routine is a really big deal.”

Overall, Grace reported her redness and flakiness have decreased. And that spotlight she has shrunk from since she was a child? It’s shining more brightly on her now. And she’s just fine with that.

“I now feel much more in control of my seb derm. Experiencing consistent relief frees up some head space from worrying about how I appear to focusing on how I want to show up in the world. I’m so grateful to finally have something that works for me.”

For more information about seborrheic dermatitis and to find out if ZORYVE is right for you, talk to your doctor and visit https://www.zoryve.com/seb-derm.

Approved Use
ZORYVE foam is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical) to treat seborrheic dermatitis in adults and children 9 years of age and older.

It is not known if ZORYVE foam is safe and effective in children under 9 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

ZORYVE is for use on the skin (topical only). Do not use ZORYVE in or on your eyes, mouth, or vagina. Do not use ZORYVE if you have certain liver problems.

Before using ZORYVE, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have liver problems.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ZORYVE will harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ZORYVE passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with ZORYVE. Breastfeeding women using ZORYVE should use it on the smallest area of the skin and for the shortest time needed. Do not apply it directly to the nipple or areola to avoid contact with your baby. Avoid direct skin contact of treated areas with your baby if ZORYVE is applied to your chest.

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

What should I avoid while using ZORYVE?
ZORYVE is flammable. Avoid fire, flame, and smoking when applying and right after you apply it.

The most common side effects of ZORYVE include:

• common cold
• nausea
• headache

These are not all of the possible side effects of ZORYVE. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Patient Information for ZORYVE.

© 2025 Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. All rights reserved.

US­-CRP-­154-­00010 02/2025

Photo of Grace, an actual patient who has taken ZORYVE and is being compensated for her time contributing to this article, courtesy of Arcutis Biotherapeutics.

2025-02-04T08:01:00

(BPT) – Does the phrase “root canal” make you feel uneasy and anxious? Root canal treatments have an unfairly earned bad reputation. Misinformation and misconceptions give a false impression that root canals are painful, dangerous and unnecessary. Root canal myths may cause patients to question the safety of this endodontic procedure and put off necessary treatment.

The truth is that root canal treatments are effective and safe. The longer you postpone treatment, the more you risk the chance to save your teeth. If you’re unsure about undergoing a root canal procedure, check out these debunked myths about this necessary endodontic treatment.

Myth: Root canal procedures are painful — FALSE

Fact: Thanks to technological advances and anesthetics, root canals are not painful. In fact, the pain from severe toothaches — stemming from damaged tissues in the tooth — is the real culprit behind the affliction that warrants the need for this treatment. During a root canal treatment, an endodontist can remove the damaged tissues quickly and comfortably.

Myth: If my tooth doesn’t hurt, I don’t need a root canal — FALSE

Fact: A common sign that you may need a root canal treatment is a persistent, throbbing toothache. However, you may have infected or damaged tooth pulp and experience no pain. An endodontist is trained to test a tooth for damage whether or not you feel pain.

Myth: It’s better to extract a tooth — FALSE

Fact: A prevalent misconception about dental work is that removing an affected tooth is the best course of treatment. However, your natural teeth are worth saving. Your teeth are a gateway to nutrition and a signifier of your overall good health.

Endodontists are experts in saving teeth. They receive additional specialized training to diagnose and perform root canal treatments. As a result, endodontic treatment has a high success rate and many root canal-treated teeth last a lifetime.

Increasingly, dentistry is trending conservative, which means it is favoring treatment approaches that aim to preserve as much of the natural tooth structure as possible while addressing the patient’s needs. The focus is on minimal intervention, using techniques that prioritize tooth preservation and long-term function over more invasive procedures.

Myth: Root canals are dangerous and cause systemic diseases — FALSE

Fact: You may have read that root canal treatments are dangerous and increase your risk of becoming ill or contracting a systemic disease in the future. This false claim is based on outdated, poorly designed research. There is no valid scientific evidence linking root canal treatments with disease in other parts of the body.

According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), about 25 million new endodontic treatments, including root canals, are performed each year safely and effectively. Several peer-reviewed research studies over the last century support the safety and efficacy of root canal treatments.

Don’t take a wait-and-see approach to your dental health. Now that you know the truth about root canal treatments, you can make informed decisions about your dental health. Visit findmyendodontist.com to find a specialist near you so you can preserve your teeth.

2025-02-03T07:25:00

(BPT) – Your vision is a vital part of how you experience the world, like seeing vibrant colors and the details of daily life, and protecting it is of the utmost importance.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) can potentially lead to vision loss or blindness. While an AMD diagnosis can be a scary thought, there are ways to help reduce the risk of progression of the condition. Here’s what you need to know this AMD Awareness Month.

What is AMD?

AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over 50, affecting approximately 16 million Americans. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp, central vision needed for activities like reading, driving and recognizing faces. As a progressive condition, AMD can impair central vision over time.

Steps to Help Reduce AMD Progression

While there is not a cure for AMD or a way to reverse its damage, people can take steps to help reduce their risk of progression:

1. Get an Annual Eye Exam (Including Eye Dilation)
   AMD often has no early symptoms, making annual eye exams important for early detection. A comprehensive dilated eye exam allows doctors to see the back of the eye where AMD occurs. If diagnosed, work with your eye care professional to monitor changes and create a plan to help preserve your sight.
2. Live a Healthy Lifestyle
   Although some factors are beyond our control, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help. This includes:

• • Eating a diet rich in leafy greens and fish
  • Maintaining a healthy weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels
  • Staying active and exercising regularly
  • Quitting smoking

3. Consider Nutritional Supplements
   Your eye doctor may recommend a nutritional supplement to help reduce the risk of AMD progression. Clinical studies spanning over two decades from the National Eye Institute (NEI) found that a specific combination of vitamins and minerals can reduce the risk of progression and vision loss in people with intermediate to advanced AMD. The AREDS 2 supplement is based on this NEI-recommended clinically proven formula.

Be sure to talk to your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or diet.

Support and Resources

Learning about AMD for the first time can be overwhelming. While the internet offers a wealth of information, medical literature can be dense and hard to follow. Bausch + Lomb developed SightMatters.com to provide information, personalized tips, tools, cost savings on AREDS 2 formula eye vitamins, and a support network to help people understand and manage AMD. It also allows patients to create a personalized action plan to discuss with their doctor, helping them take charge of the condition and continue to see what they love each day.

Take Action Today

Taking proactive steps to protect your vision is important, especially when it comes to managing AMD. Remember, early detection through annual eye exams, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and considering nutritional AREDS 2 supplements can make a difference.

Don’t wait — schedule an appointment with your eye doctor today to discuss your eye health and create a plan to help preserve your vision. For more information and support, visit www.SightMatters.com.

© 2025 Bausch + Lomb.
BLNP.0002.USA.25

2025-02-03T07:01:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re an aspiring athlete, weekend warrior or just love activities that get your heart racing, you may discover exercise can affect your skin.

But for those living with moderate-to-severe eczema, there are extra considerations. This disease is characterized by recurring symptoms including intense itching and dry, irritated rashes that can crack or ooze. For many people living with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema, much of their lives can be spent coping with nearly constant signs and symptoms that can persist through everyday life and can be especially bothersome as they stay active.

How can exercise be tough on your skin?

There are a few reasons. Namely, when you exercise, you typically sweat. When exercising outdoors, you may also be exposed to allergens, dry air, weather elements and pollution. And, certain fabrics may rub against your skin as you work out. These factors can all potentially worsen eczema signs and symptoms, and being mindful of them is key.

“Changes in weather, including going in and out of frigid outdoor air and heated indoor air, plus stress can all affect your moderate-to-severe eczema,” said board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anabelle Garcia. “Tracking instances when you have a flare-up can help identify what irritates your skin, so you can better manage your disease.”

Tips for staying active with her moderate-to-severe eczema

Beyond knowing what worsens your signs and symptoms (such as not wearing certain fabrics or using scent-free products), here are some tips to help manage your moderate-to-severe eczema while exercising:

• Stay hydrated
• Exercise in cool environments
• Bathe or shower after exercising
• Keep skin moisturized
• Try lower impact workouts

How a pro athlete copes with her moderate-to-severe eczema

All-star basketball player Diana Taurasi has been living with moderate-to-severe eczema since her college days, when she first noticed symptoms like rashes on her arms and hands. In partnership with Sanofi and Regeneron for the Eczactly Like Me program, Taurasi is speaking up about the challenges this disease can bring — on and off the court.

“Throughout the years, I’d often be thinking about my moderate-to-severe eczema,” said Taurasi. “As an athlete, my skin is often exposed, and I’m in this cycle of sweating, showering and drying off — all things that could irritate my skin. It was a struggle to find things that would help relieve the intense itch and rashes.”

She continues: “After the team warmup before games, all the starters take their jackets off and my eczema could be seen; I couldn’t hide it,” she recalled. “It was something I was almost constantly dealing with.”

Other activities outside of basketball were tough on Taurasi’s skin too.

“Even when relaxing with my wife and kids on vacation, I’d still be dealing with my eczema,” remembered Taurasi. “I’d sometimes avoid certain things that could irritate my skin like going to the pool or beach or wearing short sleeves in the heat, as that would be tough on my skin.”

Finding treatment that works for her

Taurasi tried her best to identify what factors aggravated her skin the most and worked with her dermatologist to try different prescription topical treatments, but her eczema still wasn’t well controlled.

Eventually, her doctor recommended she try Dupixent (dupilumab), a biologic treatment option for people ages 6 months and older with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema.

Dupixent works by helping to block a key source of inflammation inside the body, to help reduce itch and rashes. It is the only biologic medicine approved to treat uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema from infancy to adulthood.

Since starting Dupixent, Taurasi reported experiencing clearer skin and less itch.

“Now that I’ve found Dupixent, it has helped me get my signs and symptoms under control,” said Taurasi. “I spent so much time and energy dealing with my eczema, looking for something out there that could work for me. I am happy to be enjoying spending time and doing activities with my wife and kids, without being as worried about my eczema. While everyone’s experience is different, I am grateful to have found something that works for me.”

Dupixent can help adult patients with moderate-to-severe eczema achieve clearer skin and less itch. In two clinical trials at 16 weeks, adults on Dupixent saw clear or almost clear skin (37% versus 9% not on Dupixent) and had significant itch reduction (38% versus 11% not on Dupixent). Individual results may vary.

The most common side effects include injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, dry eye, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).

Advice for others “eczactly” like Taurasi

Taurasi wants others experiencing symptoms and who are feeling “eczactly” like her to know they’re not alone and not to lose hope.

“If you have uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema, don’t give up — there are others out there that can relate to what you’re going through. Do your research, talk to a dermatologist about treatment options, and be an advocate for yourself.”

If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of moderate-to-severe eczema and topical prescription treatments aren’t controlling your eczema well, talk to your doctor about exploring other options that may be right for you.

Visit ShowUpAD.com to read more stories like Taurasi’s and about Dupixent (dupilumab).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & INDICATION

Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT^®.

Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have eye problems.
• have a parasitic (helminth) infection.
• are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a “live vaccine” right before and during treatment with DUPIXENT.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether DUPIXENT will harm your unborn baby.
  • A pregnancy registry for women who take DUPIXENT during pregnancy collects information about the health of you and your baby. To enroll or get more information call 1-877-311-8972 or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/dupixent/.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether DUPIXENT passes into your breast milk.

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

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you are taking oral, topical, or inhaled corticosteroid medicines or if you have atopic dermatitis and asthma and use an asthma medicine. Do not change or stop your other medicines, including corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine, without talking to your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by those medicines to come back.

DUPIXENT can cause serious side effects, including:

• Allergic reactions. DUPIXENT can cause allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe. Stop using DUPIXENT and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms: breathing problems or wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, fast pulse, fever, hives, joint pain, general ill feeling, itching, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, nausea or vomiting, or cramps in your stomach-area.
• Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision, such as blurred vision. Your healthcare provider may send you to an ophthalmologist for an eye exam if needed.
• Joint aches and pain. Some people who use DUPIXENT have had trouble walking or moving due to their joint symptoms, and in some cases needed to be hospitalized. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or worsening joint symptoms. Your healthcare provider may stop DUPIXENT if you develop joint symptoms.

The most common side effects in patients with eczema include injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, dry eye, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of DUPIXENT. 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.

Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It’s an injection given under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Your healthcare provider will decide if you or your caregiver can inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to prepare and inject DUPIXENT until you or your caregiver have been trained by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it’s recommended DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult. In children 6 months to less than 12 years of age, DUPIXENT should be given by a caregiver.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.

INDICATION

DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.

US.DUP.24.08.0259