Category: Brandpoint Health

2025-01-28T06:01:00

(BPT) – Navigating the rising cost of prescriptions can feel like a challenge, but savvy seniors know there’s a smarter way to manage healthcare expenses in 2025. The new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P) offers a simple, stress-free solution to help retirees protect both their wallets and their health.

This innovative program that just launched January 1 allows Medicare Part D beneficiaries to spread out-of-pocket prescription costs into manageable, interest-free monthly payments throughout the plan year. With the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, enrollees can avoid large bills at the pharmacy counter and still get the medications they need to stay physically and financially healthy.

A smart financial strategy

Managing healthcare costs in retirement is all about thoughtful planning. The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan provides the financial flexibility seniors need by allowing them to pay $0 upfront at the pharmacy and settle prescription costs in monthly installments. This makes budgeting easier and eliminates the financial strain of large, often unexpected, payments for medications. It’s especially helpful for anyone who will hit their $2,000 out-of-pocket cap early in the plan year.

Better health through access

Skipping medications due to cost is a dangerous gamble, and yet one in five older adults faces this reality. Staying consistent with medications helps manage chronic conditions and reduces the risk of serious health complications. The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan makes that possible by removing financial barriers to prescriptions so seniors can stick to treatments without interruption.

Peace of mind for you and your loved ones

The stress of managing large prescription drug costs can take a toll on mental and physical health. M3P brings peace of mind by offering predictable, manageable payments that more easily fit into monthly budgets. This program makes the process straightforward and stress-free both for seniors and those helping with their finances.

It all boils down to this: More control over finances, health and independence at zero cost.

“The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is a major step toward ensuring seniors can access the medications they need without the burden of financial uncertainty,” said Brian Whorley, CEO of Paytient, one of the companies administering the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. “This program isn’t just about affordability — it’s about giving individuals the peace of mind to focus on their health and independence, knowing their prescription costs are manageable and predictable.”

Ready to take the first step?

To participate, you’ll need to opt in. Learn more and sign up at Rx.Paytient.com. Starting in 2025, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your prescription costs are under control.

Seniors don’t have to sacrifice financial stability or their well-being in 2025. Now is the perfect time to join this program and have assurance that prescription costs are under control.

2025-01-24T05:01:00

(BPT) – Research shows that by the start of February, up to 94% of people abandon the New Year’s resolutions they made. In fact, two separate dates have been coined “Quitter’s Day” and “Ditch Your Resolution Day.” Research shows that resolutions don’t typically work, but commitments do.

Reframing your mindset and aspirations can be the key to finding success. According to a recent national wellness survey of more than 1,000 people by Life Time, a national health and wellness company with more than 175 athletic clubs and a complimentary digital app, 74.7% plan to prioritize their health in 2025, a nearly 20% increase from last year. With that in mind, Danny King, Director of Recovery and Performance at Life Time, offers five unique and creative tips to help you move through the year with success, whether you work out at a health club or utilize a fitness app.

1. Fulfill your interests: Look for a place or an app that offers programming to match your interests or goals now but also has variety to fulfill new aspirations or challenges as your comfort level grows. You may not think you can do a dance-based workout now, but you might want to in the future. The fun and novelty of new experiences can keep you excited about your workouts and goals. And trying a complimentary workout app can reduce intimidation too.
2. Buddy up: Find a buddy who shares similar goals or try a small group training experience — this could be a current friend or someone new you meet. Multiple studies prove you’re much more likely to stick with a goal if you have a friend or a group to help keep you accountable.
3. One step at a time: Challenge yourself with mini goals, like trying a new machine each week or steadily increasing the amount of weight you’re lifting. Check if your club or app offers progressive challenges to sign up for. For a leg up, Life Time has Dynamic Personal Trainers to support quicker gains (or losses) and keep you motivated.
4. Fuel up: Find a health club with a café or smoothie bar and commit to trying something new and healthy. Life Time clubs have full fast-casual LifeCafe restaurants and an entire collection of pure, potent and powerful nutritional products and supplements that can also support your goals. And don’t forget the protein.
5. Reward yourself: Many health clubs offer amenities like saunas, pools, cold plunges and massage services. Life Time is the largest operator of salons and spas in the country and can be used for daily care and as a reward for sticking to your workout routine. Treating yourself to a relaxing session can be a great motivator.

Regardless of your health and wellness goals, a commitment mindset and the right health club or fitness app will help you. Life Time’s free app with workouts, meditation, strength programs and more is available to anyone. King notes, “Whether in real life or digital, you want to look for a wide range of programs and services that are available for a variety of ages and abilities. We love this time of year when we can really help people find success.”

2025-01-23T06:01:00

(BPT) – As a professional communicator, words have always come easily to María. That is until the diagnoses of two different rare kidney diseases that left María speechless.

Many people know what chronic kidney disease (CKD) is, but few people have heard of rare kidney disease (RKD). María lives with two different forms of RKD: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). IgAN, one of the most common forms of RKD, causes inflammation in the kidneys, damaging their function over time. FSGS is characterized by the development of scarring in the kidneys. Both can lead to kidney failure in the prime of life.

An estimated 60-80 per 100,000 people in the United States currently live with RKD. RKDs are often diagnosed when people are younger and can progress faster than other forms of kidney disease. In fact, while people with RKD represent less than 5-10% of people with kidney disease, those with RKD represent upwards of 30% of those with kidney failure. As a result, people living with RKD face unique challenges navigating life with a rare disease. Due to low public awareness, people living with RKD often struggle to explain their condition to others.

A Change to Daily Life

This was the case for María, whose RKD caused many changes to her life in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Prior to her diagnoses in her early 30s, María was quite active, balancing a stressful job while raising a family, jumping to social activities, and enjoying travel. But after her diagnoses, she didn’t feel well enough or have the energy to keep up. This took a mental and emotional toll.

She felt alone, misunderstood and worried. Would her RKD cause kidney failure? How could she be there for her children and family? Would she be a burden to others?

Because her physical appearance remained unchanged, many people around her did not understand the impact that RKD had on María’s everyday life. “Unfortunately, if people don’t see something physically different about you, they don’t understand that you have a chronic condition,” she said.

Today, María surrounds herself with people who are helping her enjoy the most out of life, finding that “it is important to surround yourself with positive people” to create the best environment for life with RKD.

Strong Support System

María’s family is an important source of strength. Her mother and partner are two of her biggest pillars of support, and she also has a network of friends who keep her marching toward her goals and hopes for the future. Her father, who passed away years ago, still gives her strength as she remembers how he chose to live life with intensity and joy.

María’s children also motivate her to stay active and prioritize her health. “I want to be an example of perseverance for them, that we can never give up. We have to draw strength and continue with life.”

She also finds camaraderie and community from others living with RKD. “Being able to connect with people who are going through the same thing as me is important,” María said. “Although there are few of us, knowing that I am not the only one gives me the confidence to vent and to ask questions.” And that’s how she grew more comfortable talking about her rare kidneys and felt inspired to share her experience of living with RKD.

Finding Her Voice Again

When María learned about a campaign that aims to increase awareness of RKD through the power of storytelling, she felt like she found the perfect opportunity to tell her story about living with both FSGS and IgAN. Through RKD & Me, a campaign co-created by the IgA Nephropathy Foundation, NephCure and Travere Therapeutics, María penned a powerful letter to her younger self that captured the struggles she faced living with RKD, as well as the strength she found through her journey.

María hopes that by sharing the profound impact RKD has had on her life, she can help someone else living with RKD. “Being able to tell my story may help someone in need or who needs words of encouragement.”

If you have rare kidney disease and want to share your story or want to learn more about the experiences of people living with RKD, including María, visit RKDandMe.com or follow #RKDandMe on social media.

2025-01-22T09:31:00

(BPT) – Knowledge is one of the most valuable tools when faced with a cancer diagnosis. Given that one in two men and one in three women are expected to be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetimes, it’s hard to ignore how important knowledge is when understanding a diagnosis and deciding the appropriate path forward. This remains true for renal cell carcinoma, or RCC. While some people with kidney cancer may experience symptoms, like blood in urine, lower back pain on one side, and a mass on the side or lower back, others may only have limited symptoms such as mild hip pain.

When people experience pain or symptoms that are out of the ordinary, it is recommended that they visit their healthcare provider, who may recommend further testing.

In certain cases, if testing or imaging reveal metastatic cancer, meaning cancer that has spread to other parts of the body from where it originated, a strong, trusting relationship between a patient and their healthcare provider is key to understanding treatment options and deciding the appropriate plan of care. For certain patients with advanced RCC, a dual immunotherapy treatment may be an option.

What might a person expect when diagnosed with advanced RCC?

Hearing “you have cancer” can feel overwhelming. Treatment decisions may need to happen quickly and it’s natural to have questions. When facing an advanced RCC diagnosis, information is power, and getting the details can be very helpful to feel more prepared to move forward.

For those recently diagnosed, it is recommended to ask the following questions:

• What type of kidney cancer do I have?
• Has the cancer spread?
• What stage is the cancer, and what does that mean?
• Where can patients find resources and support?
• What are the treatment options?
• What should someone expect when undergoing treatment?

It is important to feel empowered when facing advanced RCC, and this empowerment can be grounded in a patient’s relationship with and communication with their doctor. Discussions about treatment should be a shared decision-making process.

What types of treatments are available for people facing an advanced RCC diagnosis?

There are several treatment options for advanced RCC. Immunotherapy is a treatment option that is designed to work with the body’s immune system to help fight cancer. For eligible people, dual immunotherapy — which is a combination of two immunotherapy treatments — may be recommended.

An example of dual immunotherapy is Opdivo^® (or nivolumab) plus Yervoy^® (or ipilimumab), which are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for certain newly diagnosed adults whose kidney cancer has spread and have not already had treatment for advanced RCC. It is the first and only combination of two immunotherapies of its kind approved to treat advanced RCC.

Opdivo plus Yervoy is designed to work by helping your immune system to fight cancer. These two immunotherapies work in different but complementary ways.

It’s also important to understand that while doing so, this immunotherapy combination can also affect healthy cells in any area of your body. These problems can sometimes become serious or life-threatening and can lead to death. These problems may happen anytime during treatment or even after treatment has ended. You may have more than one of these problems at the same time. Some of these problems may happen more often when Opdivo is used in combination with Yervoy.

Serious side effects may include lung problems; intestinal problems; liver problems; hormone gland problems; kidney problems; skin problems; eye problems; problems in other organs and tissues; severe infusion reactions; and complications of stem cell transplant, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), that uses donor stem cells (or allogeneic). Call or see your healthcare provider right away for any new or worsening signs or symptoms. Additional Important Safety Information is below.

What other information may be helpful for those facing an advanced RCC diagnosis?

Having a network to rely on and having support through the process is very important. A family member or a friend sitting in a waiting room can help provide support and encouragement.

To learn more about Opdivo + Yervoy, please visit Opdivo.com.

Indication

OPDIVO^® (nivolumab) is a prescription medicine used in combination with YERVOY^® (ipilimumab) as a first treatment for certain adults with kidney cancer that has spread (advanced renal cell carcinoma).

It is not known if OPDIVO is safe and effective in children younger than 12 years of age with melanoma or MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer.

It is not known if OPDIVO is safe and effective in children for the treatment of any other cancers.

Important Safety Information for OPDIVO^® (nivolumab) + YERVOY^® (ipilimumab)

What is the most important information I should know about OPDIVO + YERVOY?

OPDIVO and YERVOY are medicines that may treat certain cancers by working with your immune system. OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of your body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become severe or life-threatening and can lead to death. These problems may happen anytime during treatment or even after your treatment has ended. You may have more than one of these problems at the same time. Some of these problems may happen more often when OPDIVO is used in combination with another therapy.

Call or see your healthcare provider right away if you develop any new or worse signs or symptoms, including:

• Lung problems: cough; shortness of breath; chest pain
• Intestinal problems: diarrhea (loose stools) or more frequent bowel movements than usual; stools that are black, tarry, sticky, or have blood or mucus; severe stomach-area (abdominal) pain or tenderness
• Liver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes; severe nausea or vomiting; pain on the right side of your stomach area (abdomen); dark urine (tea colored); bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
• Hormone gland problems: headaches that will not go away or unusual headaches; eye sensitivity to light; eye problems; rapid heart beat; increased sweating; extreme tiredness; weight gain or weight loss; feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual; urinating more often than usual; hair loss; feeling cold; constipation; your voice gets deeper; dizziness or fainting; changes in mood or behavior, such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness
• Kidney problems: decrease in your amount of urine; blood in your urine; swelling in your ankles; loss of appetite
• Skin problems: rash; itching; skin blistering or peeling; swollen lymph nodes; painful sores or ulcers in the mouth or nose, throat, or genital area; fever or flu-like symptoms
• Eye problems: blurry vision, double vision, or other vision problems; eye pain or redness.

Rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue. Your healthcare provider should tell you what signs and symptoms you should report and monitor you depending on the type of organ transplant that you have had.

Problems can also happen in other organs and tissues. These are not all of the signs and symptoms of immune system problems that can happen with OPDIVO and YERVOY. Call or see your healthcare provider right away for any new or worsening signs or symptoms, which may include:

• Chest pain; irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; swelling of ankles
• Confusion; sleepiness; memory problems; changes in mood or behavior; stiff neck; balance problems; tingling or numbness of the arms or legs
• Double vision; blurry vision; sensitivity to light; eye pain; changes in eye sight
• Persistent or severe muscle pain or weakness; muscle cramps
• Low red blood cells; bruising

Rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue. Your healthcare provider should tell you what signs and symptoms you should report and monitor you depending on the type of organ transplant that you have had.

Getting medical help right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious. Your healthcare team will check you for these problems during treatment and may treat you with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. Your healthcare team may also need to delay or completely stop your treatment if you have severe side effects.

Possible side effects of OPDIVO + YERVOY

OPDIVO and OPDIVO + YERVOY can cause serious side effects, including:

• See “What is the most important information I should know about OPDIVO + YERVOY?”
• Severe infusion reactions. Tell your healthcare team right away if you get these symptoms during an infusion of OPDIVO or YERVOY: chills or shaking; itching or rash; flushing; shortness of breath or wheezing; dizziness; feel like passing out; fever; back or neck pain
• Complications, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), of bone marrow (stem cell) transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic). These complications can be severe and can lead to death. These complications may happen if you underwent transplantation either before or after being treated with OPDIVO or YERVOY. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for these complications.

The most common side effects of OPDIVO, when used in combination with YERVOY, include: feeling tired; diarrhea; rash; itching; nausea; pain in muscles, bones, and joints; fever; cough; decreased appetite; vomiting; stomach-area (abdominal) pain; shortness of breath; upper respiratory tract infection; headache; low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism); constipation; decreased weight; and dizziness.

These are not all the possible side effects. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before receiving OPDIVO or YERVOY, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have immune system problems such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus
• have received an organ transplant, including corneal transplant
• have received or plan to receive a stem cell transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic)
• have received radiation treatment to your chest area in the past and have received other medicines that are like OPDIVO
• have a condition that affects your nervous system, such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barré syndrome
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. OPDIVO and YERVOY can harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OPDIVO or YERVOY passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with OPDIVO or YERVOY and for 5 months after the last dose of OPDIVO or YERVOY.

Females who are able to become pregnant:

Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start receiving OPDIVO or YERVOY.

• You should use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for 5 months after the last dose of OPDIVO or YERVOY. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this time.
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with OPDIVO or YERVOY. You or your healthcare provider should contact

Bristol-Myers Squibb at 1- 844-593-7869 as soon as you become aware of a pregnancy.

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

Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for OPDIVO and YERVOY.

© 2025 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

OPDIVO^®, YERVOY^® and the related logos are registered trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

7356-US02400311 1/25

2025-01-21T07:01:00

(BPT) – Michel, a psychiatric nurse from Southern California, has always been someone who is deeply committed to helping others take control of their health. He didn’t realize that one day he would be the one needing care.

A few years after being diagnosed with Graves’ disease, a common form of hyperthyroidism, Michel noticed his eyes starting to bulge a bit, accompanied by symptoms of dryness, eye pain and difficulty sleeping because his eyes wouldn’t fully close.

“I assumed it was part of my Graves’ disease and then I went to get a routine eye exam for new glasses and my doctor diagnosed me with Thyroid Eye Disease (TED),” said Michel. “Even though I’m a nurse, I did not know about TED until my diagnosis.”

TED is a chronic autoimmune condition that may affect many people with Graves’ disease. TED occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the muscle and fat tissue behind the eyes, causing eye bulging, eye pain, double vision and pressure behind the eyes. These symptoms can be mild or severe and may flare or get worse over time.

Despite receiving this diagnosis, Michel still had no clear treatment path and his symptoms began to severely impact his life. “I began to withdraw from social situations and struggled with changes in my appearance. I was afraid of unwanted attention and comments from others due to my eye bulging,” said Michel.

Simple tasks, like using a computer or phone, became difficult because of Michel’s double vision and eye pain.

Treatment with TEPEZZA^® (teprotumumab-trbw)

While watching TV, Michel saw a commercial for TEPEZZA, the first and only FDA-approved medication to treat TED, no matter if you’d lived with TED for months or years.

“After four years of struggling with my TED symptoms, I was relieved to learn there was an approved and specific treatment option available for people like me,” said Michel.

After discussing the risks and benefits with his doctor, Michel was connected with a home health service and began receiving his infusions at home. TEPEZZA is administered intravenously every three weeks over a course of eight infusions, with the full treatment lasting about five months. By the second infusion, Michel started noticing positive changes, and after completing his eighth infusion, Michel saw a significant improvement in his symptoms of eye pain and eye bulging.

Michel did experience some side effects during his treatment with TEPEZZA. Common side effects include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, weight loss, nail problems and changes in menstruation.

After treatment with TEPEZZA, “I no longer fear unwanted attention. My eye bulging has decreased and my eye pain has subsided,” said Michel. “I look and feel more like myself again.” Infusion reactions, like high blood pressure or difficulty breathing, can happen during or within 24 hours after an infusion of TEPEZZA. Please see Important Safety Information below.

TED Education and Advocacy

With his background in nursing, Michel knows the value of education and self-advocacy. To support others newly diagnosed or living with TED, Michel offers the following advice:

• Advocate for yourself and your symptoms. Even if they aren’t visible, be vocal about how they affect your daily life. Have you stopped doing a hobby you love or find it difficult to use a computer due to your TED symptoms? Tell your doctor.
• Some doctors still think if you have been living with TED for a long time, you are not a candidate for TEPEZZA — but this is not entirely true. Even if you’ve had bulging eyes for years due to TED, you can still experience improvement through treatment with TEPEZZA.
• Not all eye doctors are used to treating TED, which is why you should see a doctor who specializes in it. Make sure you’re seeing a TED Specialist, such as an oculoplastic surgeon, neuro-ophthalmologist or endocrinologist, who has experience with the condition.
• Visit TEPEZZA.com to learn more and find a TED Specialist.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

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

Infusion reactions can happen during or within 24 hours after your infusion of TEPEZZA. If you have a reaction while receiving TEPEZZA, your doctor or nurse will slow or stop your infusion and treat your reaction. If you have a severe infusion reaction, your doctor may stop your treatment completely.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of these symptoms during or after your treatment with TEPEZZA:

High blood pressure	Difficulty breathing
Fast heartbeat	Headache
Redness of the face/Feeling hot	Muscle pain

If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, TEPEZZA may make your IBD symptoms worse. Symptoms of worsening IBD may include: an increased number of loose stools with stomach pain or cramps, and blood in your stools. After each TEPEZZA infusion, tell your doctor right away if you have worsening IBD symptoms.

TEPEZZA may cause an increase in your blood sugar. Before starting treatment with TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you are currently being treated for diabetes, know your blood sugar is high, or have been diagnosed with diabetes. It is important for you to take your treatments and follow an appropriate diet for glucose control as prescribed by your doctor.

TEPEZZA may cause severe hearing problems including hearing loss, which in some cases may be permanent. Tell your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms of hearing problems or changes in hearing.

Before receiving TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you:

• Have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Are currently being treated for diabetes, have been diagnosed with diabetes, or know your blood sugar is high.
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TEPEZZA may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or suspect you are pregnant during treatment with TEPEZZA.
  • Women who are able to become pregnant should use an effective form of birth control (contraception) prior to starting treatment, during treatment and for at least 6 months after the final dose of TEPEZZA.
• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TEPEZZA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to feed your baby during treatment with TEPEZZA.
• Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, dietary and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What are the possible side effects of TEPEZZA?

The most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, weight loss, nail problems, and changes in menstruation.

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Tell your doctor or treatment team about any side effect you may have.

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

Please visit TEPEZZA.com for more information.

USE

TEPEZZA is a prescription medicine used to treat Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), no matter if you’ve had TED for months or years.

© 2025 Amgen Inc. All rights reserved. USA-632-80059 01/25

2025-01-13T08:01:00

(BPT) – “I was out of breath all the time.”

For Julie, it was a diagnosis that came as a shock — and had a huge impact on her life. She started having exacerbations that were so bad, she said, “just about anything” made it difficult for her to breathe. And, when she made it to her doctor, the diagnosis she received surprised her: Julie had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD is a progressive disease that can damage the lungs and makes it harder to breathe. People living with COPD can experience constant, persistent cough and difficulty breathing when doing daily activities, such as getting dressed in the morning, walking up the stairs, or going to work.

Julie, who is sharing her story in partnership with Sanofi and Regeneron, had worked as a server at a restaurant in western Florida for 17 years before her COPD became too much and she had to quit. She tried various treatments but was still having symptoms. “The doctor had said that I needed oxygen at night, so I did that for a couple of years. The most difficult was when I had to use a rescue inhaler what seemed like every hour on the hour because I couldn’t breathe well at all.”

Between the impact on her daily life and inhaled treatments that just weren’t doing enough, Julie knew that she had to make a change. So, when she heard about a clinical trial for a new type of COPD medicine, she jumped at the opportunity to participate.

Fast forward six months and Julie noticed a difference after taking Dupixent^® (dupilumab) as part of a clinical trial. Dupixent was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2024 as a prescription medicine used with other medicines for maintenance treatment of adults with inadequately controlled COPD and a high number of blood eosinophils (a type of white blood cell that may contribute to your COPD). In two clinical trials, Dupixent reduced the number of flare-ups and helped patients breathe better with long-lasting lung function improvement over one year.

Dupixent is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and will not replace an inhaled rescue medicine.

Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in Dupixent. The most common side effects in patients with COPD include injection site reactions, common cold symptoms (nasopharyngitis), high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia), viral infection, back pain, inflammation inside the nose (rhinitis), diarrhea, gastritis, joint pain (arthralgia), toothache, headache, and urinary tract infection.

Please see additional Important Safety Information below.

Julie’s personal experience in the Dupixent clinical trial breathed fresh air into how she approaches her life. “Before I started taking it, I couldn’t walk very far. I would get so out of breath walking the length of my house,” she explained. “Then I started taking Dupixent and I was able to do more and walk farther around the block.” Individual results may vary.

Fifty-one percent of patients that received Dupixent in the clinical trials reported an improvement in their day-to-day lives*.

Encouraged by her improved lung function and less exacerbations, Julie adopted a dog — something she didn’t think would be an option for her. “Now, because I can breathe better, I can have a dog that doesn’t need a fenced-in yard. I can go outside with her in the morning and take her out and we can go on walks.”

In the U.S., approximately 300,000 people live with inadequately controlled COPD and a high number of eosinophils like Julie, and many continue to experience exacerbations, or flare-ups, despite taking inhaled medicines. Upon diagnosis, a blood test measuring the amount of eosinophils can help provide insights into a patient’s COPD and their management plan. Although there’s been some progress in the treatment of COPD, there has been a strong need for novel treatment approaches, particularly for patients whose disease is not well controlled on inhaled therapies alone. Dupixent is a first-of-its-kind add-on maintenance treatment that can reduce the number of flare-ups and can help improve breathing.

Julie is excited for the possibilities that have opened up for her. “I can go to the store and walk around and not be so out of breath like I used to be. I even got a job which I thought was pretty good for a 78-year-old!”

*Assessed by a quality of life tool called SGRQ that measures COPD symptoms physical activity, emotional well-being, and social functioning. In two trials, 51% of patients who received Dupixent + standard of care therapy experienced a quality of life improvement vs 43% and 47% with placebo + standard of care therapy. In one trial, results are descriptive; no definitive conclusions can be made.

Learn more about Dupixent here.

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 have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and also have asthma. 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 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 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease include injection site reactions, common cold symptoms (nasopharyngitis), high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia), viral infection, back pain, inflammation inside the nose (rhinitis), diarrhea, gastritis, joint pain (arthralgia), toothache, headache, and urinary tract infection.

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.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.

INDICATION

DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of adults with inadequately controlled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a high number of blood eosinophils (a type of white blood cell that may contribute to your COPD). DUPIXENT is used to reduce the number of flare-ups (the worsening of your COPD symptoms for several days) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and will not replace an inhaled rescue medicine. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease under 18 years of age.

US.DUP.24.11.0062

11/2024

2025-01-10T07:01:00

(BPT) – Welcome to 2025! This new year is full of opportunities to improve your life and rethink your priorities. Do you know what goals you want to achieve this year?

If you’re thinking about improving your health and wellness, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey, 79% of people that make resolutions focus them on their health.¹

Not sure where to start? Consider the following habits to kick and adopt in 2025. This year, you can meet your health and wellness goals. Remember, you should strive for progress, not perfection. Every change you make, big or small, brings you one step closer to a better, healthier you in 2025.

What to kick

Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable disease and death, with more than 480,000 deaths per year.² Also, on average, smoking decreases your life expectancy. However, quitting smoking can add as much as 10 years to your life expectancy.³

Quitting smoking is easier said than done. Tobacco can be a difficult addiction to kick. However, you don’t have to quit smoking on your own. There are many resources at your disposal to help you stop smoking for good.

For example, visit your local CVS Pharmacy^® to find smoking cessation products and resources such as gum, lozenges and patches designed to help curb your nicotine craving. As a leading health care organization, CVS^® is the first national chain drug retailer to stop selling tobacco products in 2014.

As part of its commitment to helping consumers live a tobacco-free life, MinuteClinic^®, the medical clinic located inside select CVS Pharmacy locations, created the START TO STOP^® smoking cessation program, which provides individualized support to help patients quit smoking.

3 habits to adopt

1. Hydration: Staying hydrated is one of the simplest ways for someone to improve their health and well-being. Regular hydration can improve brain function and digestion, increase energy, prevent kidney stones and aid in weight management.⁴

To help you stay hydrated, keep a reusable water bottle on hand. You can even keep one at home, one in the car and one at the office, so you always have an easy way to drink water all day, every day.

2. SPF: Sunscreen isn’t just for the summer. Not only can sunscreen help prevent skin cancer, but using products with an SPF of 30 or higher can also help prevent premature skin aging, wrinkles and age spots caused by too much unprotected UV exposure.⁵

Get into the habit of using products with an SPF of 30 or higher year-round, not just on sunny days when you’re outdoors. For example, choose an SPF moisturizer to provide daily UV protection.

3. Sleep: Don’t underestimate the benefits of a good night’s sleep. Getting enough sleep can help people get sick less often, reduce stress, improve mood, attention and memory, and lower the risk of chronic conditions.⁶

If someone has trouble sleeping, going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day, even on the weekends, may help in getting into a better sleep routine. Before going to bed, people generally should lower the lights, turn off screens and do quiet, relaxing activities.

You may also need a sleep aid to help you drift off. If you’re interested in exploring sleep support products that may be right for you, CVS has a variety of options to consider.

To learn more about the resources available to you to help with your healthy habits this year and get started on a tobacco-free life, visit the Stop Smoking Resource Hub at CVS.com.

Sources:

1. Gracia, Shanay. “New Year’s Resolutions: Who Makes Them and Why.” Pew Research Center. Access: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/29/new-years-resolutions-who-makes-them-and-why/.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking.” Access: www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/index.html.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Benefits of Quitting Smoking.” Access: www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/benefits-of-quitting.html.

4. National Council on Aging. “10 Reasons Why Hydration Is Important.” Access: www.ncoa.org/article/10-reasons-why-hydration-is-important/.

5. American Academy of Dermatology Association. “Sunscreen FAQs.” Access: https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen

6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About Sleep.” Access: www.cdc.gov/sleep/about/index.html. Them and Why.” Pew Research Center, 29 Jan. 2024, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/29/new-years-resolutions-who-makes-them-and-why/.

2025-01-09T13:01:00

(BPT) – For many, winter is a time for ice skating, cozy family gatherings, and hitting the slopes, but for the 28 million people in the U.S. living with asthma, winter can pose unique challenges. Colder weather can mean airway irritation and tightening, increasing the risk of asthma attacks and making this season much trickier to navigate.

We recently spoke with Linda, whose daughter Elle lives with severe asthma, and Dr. Andrea Espinoza, a board-certified pulmonologist, who shared their experiences and tips for navigating asthma during this frosty season.

We’ve all experienced dry hands and lips in the winter, but seasonal dry air can also cause airways in the lungs to narrow, making it harder to breathe and potentially triggering an asthma attack. For Elle, both the winter air inside and outside are irritants. “Elle loves playing outside but the cold air can trigger her asthma, and the dry air caused by central heating does too, which can be tough to avoid,” Linda shared. To prepare for the drier weather, Dr. Espinoza urges those with asthma to “remember to have a rescue inhaler handy.”

2. Say hello to increased hand washing

As the weather cools, seasonal artwork isn’t the only thing that children are bringing home from school. For people with asthma, respiratory illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19 or the common cold can make breathing even more difficult or trigger an attack. Linda recalled a time when Elle caught a cold during the winter season: “It was a very frightening experience because she was having trouble breathing, her lips turned blue and she was having difficulty speaking, and this time her rescue inhaler was not alleviating her symptoms.”

When it comes to combating winter viruses, Dr. Espinoza recommends practicing good hygiene and remembering that “certain common cold symptoms, such as coughing, should not be taken lightly for those with asthma. Cough, fatigue, wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in your chest, or dizziness can be early signs of the airway tightening and should be communicated with a healthcare specialist, especially if symptoms don’t resolve on their own.”

3. Stay safe on (and off) the slopes

Whether you ski, snowboard, snowshoe, or just enjoy sitting by the fire, it’s important to remember that winter vacation destinations are often at much higher elevations, where the air is thinner. When traveling to the mountains, Dr. Espinoza recommends “having an extra rescue inhaler on hand in your carry-on.” She also recommends “keeping a peak flow meter handy, so if there is a decline in peak flow, you know to seek urgent care.” Knowing where to find the nearest urgent care or ER is also helpful when traveling. Most importantly, be sure to talk to your doctor to have the appropriate preparations and treatments in place before traveling.

4. Stay ahead of the chill with an asthma management plan

Some people with moderate-to-severe asthma are living with symptoms that are difficult to control, especially in response to winter-time triggers, so it’s important to be on the lookout for signs that you may need a new or different treatment. According to Dr. Espinoza, considerations for treatment plan changes or additions to treatment would be: increased use of a rescue inhaler more than two times per week, nighttime symptoms of asthma (such as coughing or wheezing) waking you from your sleep or limiting your physical activities due to symptoms. For Elle, Linda said that “her previous treatment regimen wasn’t enough,” so she reached out to a pediatric asthma specialist, who recommended DUPIXENT^® (dupilumab), which is an add-on maintenance treatment for moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral corticosteroid dependent asthma that can help prevent attacks.

It targets two of the key sources of airway inflammation in asthma, and can improve lung function, so that you can breathe better in as little as two weeks. Talk to your doctor about the potential benefits and risks of treatment with Dupixent, including the most common side effects such as injection site reactions, and some serious side effects including allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe, inflammation of your blood vessels, and joint aches and pain.

“Enjoying wintertime while being prepared may allow both patients and caregivers to do more during the season,” Dr. Espinoza told us. Visit MoreYouLessAsthma.com to learn more about a treatment option and explore educational resources.

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 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 use an asthma medicine. Do not change or stop your corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine without talking to your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by the corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine 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.
• Inflammation of your blood vessels. Rarely, this can happen in people with asthma who receive DUPIXENT. This may happen in people who also take a steroid medicine by mouth that is being stopped or the dose is being lowered. It is not known whether this is caused by DUPIXENT. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have: rash, chest pain, worsening shortness of breath, a feeling of pins and needles or numbness of your arms or legs, or persistent fever.
• 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 asthma include injection site reactions, high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia), pain in the throat (oropharyngeal pain), and parasitic (helminth) infections.

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 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 with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and will not replace an inhaled rescue medicine. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.

2025-01-07T10:01:00

(BPT) – By Satya Jonnalagadda, PhD, MBA, RDN

With obesity rates tripling over the past 60 years, anti-obesity medications have become a game-changing tool in a persistent public health crisis. But they are just that: a tool, not a standalone solution.

The excitement over GLP-1 medications has led to some misconceptions. Many view them as a “miracle shot” for weight loss, but the truth is, there is no single solution for weight loss. Healthy eating, physical activity, and lifestyle changes are the foundation of every weight loss journey, and new research emphasizes the importance of all three when taking a GLP-1.

One challenge with GLP-1 medications is that while you certainly lose weight fast, it also impacts your muscle. A recent study found that up to 50% of weight lost while taking a GLP-1 medication can come from muscle*. Over the course of 12-18 months, the muscle lost is comparable to a decade of age-related muscle loss**.

The research emphasizes that proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and healthy habits can all make a difference. Practical lifestyle strategies and meal plans can help individuals minimize muscle loss while optimizing weight loss. Brands like OPTAVIA have made it simpler by incorporating this advice into new products with higher protein and personalized coaching.

3 steps to healthy, medical weight loss

1. Prioritize protein

Protein is the building block of muscle — an essential nutrient for any weight loss journey, but particularly important for those taking GLP-1s. Since muscle can account for up to half of total weight lost with these medications, adequate high-quality protein intake is critical.

To encourage healthier weight loss, experts recommend consuming at least 1.2 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, spread across meals**.

Nutrition is not simple, but there’s support available. Programs like OPTAVIA offer support with easy-to-follow scientifically backed meal plans and a new high-protein product line tailored to GLP-1 users. Look for resources like this — things that make it easier to meet your protein needs without overcomplicating your routine.

2. Find a community or support system to motivate you to create healthy habits

Sustainable weight loss is about more than numbers on a scale — it’s about creating habits that stick. Trying to overhaul your diet, exercise and habits all at once can be overwhelming. The most successful weight loss journeys incorporate support. That’s where a coach can make all the difference.

Coaches offer guidance — they provide accountability, motivation, and in many cases, personalized support. Look for solutions that incorporate nutrition, exercise and community in one place. OPTAVIA has coaches, tailored meal plans and programs that are useful for everyone pursuing weight loss — with or without medication. For GLP-1 users, there’s even a plan tailored for their specific weight loss and nutritional needs.

3. Combine nutrition and exercise

The most effective way to preserve muscle is to pair a protein-rich diet with regular physical activity.

Exercise doesn’t just burn calories — it’s critical for healthy weight loss. It helps protect and rebuild muscle — making it especially important for those taking GLP-1 medications. Resistance training, like lifting weights or using resistance bands, can be particularly effective. Just two sessions a week targeting all major muscle groups can make a difference.

This synergy between nutrition and exercise enhances the benefits of GLP-1 medications, supporting healthier weight loss and better long-term outcomes.

The path forward

While GLP-1 medications are a powerful tool, one thing is clear: they are only one piece of the puzzle. Like all weight loss journeys, they work best when combined with a holistic approach to health.

Lifestyle changes may seem daunting, but the right support can make it simple. Brands like OPTAVIA offer straightforward, scientifically backed plans, personalized coaching, and a supportive community all in one place. If you’re looking for meal plans and support tailored to your journey while on medication, look into OPTAVIA ASCEND, a new line of products and nutrition plans designed specifically for people on GLP-1 medications. With the right strategies and guidance, you can lose weight in a way that helps you feel strong, energetic and healthy.

*Sargeant JA, Henson J, King JA, Yates T, Khunti K, Davies MJ. A Review of the Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors on Lean Body Mass in Humans. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2019 Sep;34(3):247-262. doi: 10.3803/EnM.2019.34.3.247.

**Grosicki GJ, Dhurandhar NV, Unick JL, Arent SM, Thomas JG, Lofton H, Shepherd MC, Kiel J, Coleman C, Jonnalagadda SS. Sculpting Success: The Importance of Diet and Physical Activity to Support Skeletal Muscle Health during Weight Loss with New Generation Anti-Obesity Medications. Curr Dev Nutr. 2024 Oct 18;8(11):104486. doi: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.104486.

2025-01-06T04:01:00

(BPT) – As he approached his 40th birthday, Andrew began experiencing strange symptoms — fatigue, bone pain and frequent trips to the bathroom. Though unsettling, “I didn’t think much of them and chalked the symptoms up to things that tend to happen in middle age,” recalls the attorney and father of three. “I felt like I was constantly experiencing a low-level allergic reaction: my skin was itchy, and my eyes were watery and itchy. I felt uncomfortable in my own skin.”

But when he began to develop unusual spots on his torso, his dermatologist recommended a biopsy and a few other tests. A few days later, his doctor called with a shocking diagnosis: a rare disease called indolent systemic mastocytosis, or ISM. “It was incredible to realize all these different symptoms were related,” says Andrew.

ISM is caused by the uncontrolled increase and activity of abnormal mast cells, which play an important role in immune responses. As the cells accumulate and activate in different parts of the body, the disease can cause chronic, potentially debilitating symptoms such as skin lesions, diarrhea, fatigue, bone pain and life-threatening anaphylaxis. Symptoms of ISM are often unpredictable and can be caused by a wide range of triggers including foods and beverages, odors and scents, temperature changes, exercise, stress and more.

In addition to the toll of his physical symptoms, the appearance of his skin spots began to have a negative impact on Andrew mentally. “It made me feel really self-conscious,” he remembers. “I didn’t like looking at them in the mirror, and I avoided taking my shirt off at the pool or beach — I lost some of my confidence.”

Because his dermatologist wasn’t familiar with ISM, Andrew and his wife Shannon found a specialist in Boston. Together, they flew across the country, from their home state of Oregon, in search of help.

Seeking symptom relief

With no approved ISM treatments at the time, Andrew’s plan before he saw a specialist focused solely on reactive care. “I was treating my symptoms with eye drops when my eyes felt itchy, antihistamines when I felt reactive, and antacids when my stomach was upset. Sometimes the medications worked, sometimes they didn’t. I never knew when to expect symptoms. It felt like a game of ‘whack-a-mole’ using various medications to manage the ever-changing and unpredictable symptoms.”

A terrifying experience

A few years after his consultation with an expert on ISM, Andrew was out “in the middle of nowhere” in Idaho on a rafting trip with family and friends, when he was stung by a wasp or bee. “I ended up experiencing anaphylaxis, and because I didn’t know I was allergic, I didn’t have an epinephrine injector. Everyone around me was panicking. Fortunately, my good friend who is a physician brought a medical kit, which included a vial of epinephrine. He injected me, and I believe he saved my life right there.”

“This was an incredibly scary episode for me, and for my family. I would say that was a wake-up call. I became much more interested in researching and exploring different treatment options for ISM that went beyond supportive care. I wanted to take a more proactive approach to my care.”

Targeting the underlying cause

Andrew was now seeing a hematologist who recommended a treatment that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved called AYVAKIT^® (avapritinib) for adults with ISM. Andrew and his hematologist discussed the potential benefits and side effects of AYVAKIT and decided together that Andrew would try it.

AYVAKIT is a once daily pill that works by selectively targeting the KIT D816V mutation, the underlying cause of the disease in ~95% of patients with ISM which results in the overproduction and activation of abnormal mast cells. AYVAKIT is not recommended in people with low platelet counts (less than 50 X 10⁹/L). AYVAKIT for ISM may cause serious side effects such as cognitive effects and skin sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity). AYVAKIT can have harmful effects on pregnancy and fertility as well as cause harm to the unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information.

“I was encouraged to hear there was another option for me and hopeful that AYVAKIT could improve some of my most bothersome symptoms.”

Please see Important Safety Information below and click here for full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.

‘Comfortable in my own skin’

Andrew started taking AYVAKIT in October of 2023. “I’m glad that I took the leap and decided to try AYVAKIT after talking it over with my doctor. Now I’m more than a year into treatment, and so far, I haven’t experienced cognitive side effects, which I was concerned would impact my work.”

While he still takes precautions on his family adventures rock climbing and skiing, Andrew has noticed changes in his ISM symptoms. “My skin spots are lighter and my tryptase (allergic reactive marker) levels are lower, which is reassuring to me. My spots are still there, and I occasionally feel fatigued, but overall though, I feel my symptoms are better. I feel comfortable in my own skin.”

“I would love to encourage other people with ISM to chart their own course and lean in to finding a solution. Everyone’s experience is going to be different, but there are solutions out there, you just have to find them. So do your own research, ask your own questions, and do what is right for you.”

Please click here to see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for AYVAKIT.

WHAT IS AYVAKIT^® (avapritinib)?

AYVAKIT^® (avapritinib) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM). AYVAKIT is not recommended in people with low platelet counts (less than 50 X 10⁹ /L). It is not known if AYVAKIT is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

AYVAKIT^® (avapritinib) may cause serious side effects, including:

Cognitive effects. Cognitive side effects can happen during treatment with AYVAKIT and can be severe. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening cognitive symptoms including forgetfulness, confusion, getting lost, trouble thinking, drowsiness, trouble staying awake (somnolence), word finding problems, seeing objects or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), or a change in mood or behavior.

Skin sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity). Your skin may be sensitive to the sun or other forms of light (photosensitivity) during treatment with AYVAKIT. Avoid or limit exposure to direct sunlight, sunlamps, and other sources of ultraviolet radiation during treatment and for 1 week after stopping treatment with AYVAKIT. Use sunscreen or wear clothes that cover your skin if you need to be out in the sun.

Before taking AYVAKIT, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• history of bulging or weakening of a blood vessel wall (aneurysm) or bleeding in your brain
• have a history of stroke within the last year
• have low platelet counts
• have or have had liver problems
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. AYVAKIT can cause harm to your unborn baby
  • Females who are able to become pregnant: Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start AYVAKIT. You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with AYVAKIT and for 6 weeks after the final dose of AYVAKIT. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with AYVAKIT.
  • Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 6 weeks after the final dose of AYVAKIT.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if AYVAKIT passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with AYVAKIT and for at least 2 weeks after the final dose of AYVAKIT. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during this time

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. AYVAKIT may affect the way other medicines work, and certain other medicines may affect how AYVAKIT works. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take estrogen-containing hormonal birth control or medicines that prevent blood clots.

Do not drive or operate hazardous machinery if you have confusion or trouble thinking during treatment with AYVAKIT.

The most common side effects of AYVAKIT in people with ISM include: swelling around your eyes, dizziness, swelling of your arms and legs, and flushing.

Your healthcare provider may change your dose, temporarily stop, or permanently stop treatment with AYVAKIT if you develop certain side effects. AYVAKIT may cause fertility problems in females and males. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.

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

AYVAKIT is available in 25 mg tablets.

This promotional content was developed by Blueprint Medicines Corporation, the manufacturer of AYVAKIT. Individual results may vary. Andrew is being compensated by Blueprint Medicines for sharing his story.

AYVAKIT, Blueprint Medicines and associated logos are trademarks of Blueprint Medicines Corporation.

© 2024 Blueprint Medicines Corporation.

To learn more and connect with others about their experience, including AYVAKIT, visit AYVAKIT.com.