Many Patients Fail to Use Epinephrine Autoinjectors in Emergency Situations
Patients might be desperate to have epinephrine autoinjectors—as demonstrated by the outcry when the price went up—but that doesn’t mean they are quick to use Epi-Pens and other products in an emergency, according to a new study. Find out the unexpected percentage of the time that people prescribed the products failed to actually use them.

Impulse-Control Disorders Higher Than Expected in Dopamine-Agonist Users
Half of the Parkinson’s disease patients for whom pharmacists dispense dopamine agonists either are struggling with impulse-control disorders or will develop them. That’s according to a new study reporting a surprisingly high rate of uncontrolled gambling, shopping, sex, eating, or other compulsions. Here are the details.

Lithium Linked to Greater Risk of Birth Defects in
Exposed Fetuses
Expectant mothers or women seeking to become pregnant ask a lot of questions on which drugs to avoid. Usually, pharmacists can offer assurances, but a new study offers good reason to be concerned about lithium, which it linked to a higher risk of major congenital malformations after first-trimester exposure. Here is more information.

Why Standby Antibiotics Are a Bad Idea for Travelers Requesting Them
It’s summer travel season, when customers are more likely to present prescriptions for “standby” antibiotics for their vacations. A new study suggests that is a bad idea, however. Find out why globe-trotters are more likely to overuse or misuse the medications.