epocrates

What your patients are reading: Week of April 21, 2025

April 25, 2025

Keeping you a step ahead is our priority. That's why we've gathered some of the top stories your patients might be reading. Here are this week's highlights:

Misuse of common painkillers poses serious health risks

(NPR)—Many people misuse over-the-counter painkillers, taking too much too quickly, misdiagnosing ailments, or unknowingly combining multiple pain relievers. Incorrect dosing and combining of painkillers like acetaminophen and NSAIDs can lead to serious side effects, including bloating, nausea, heart attack, and stroke. A 2018 study found that 15% of 1,300 participants exceeded daily NSAID dosages, often unaware they were taking multiple NSAIDs. Physicians emphasize the importance of understanding the painkillers in your medicine cabinet. For instance, acetaminophen is generally the better choice for fevers, while NSAIDs are more effective for pain relief. However, taking too much acetaminophen at once or too many doses close together can cause liver damage. Health professionals urge patients to follow label instructions and seek medical advice to avoid these risks.

Rare immune disorder diagnosed after nearly two decades of medical mystery

(USA Today)—Nika Beamon's journey to a diagnosis spanned 17 years, involving consultations with 26 doctors and undergoing 37 procedures. Over that time, she had experienced symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, spontaneous fevers, swollen lymph nodes, and two strokes. Her condition, IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), was finally identified by a rheumatologist. This immune-mediated disorder causes excessive antibody production, leading to organ dysfunction. IgG4-RD has traditionally been managed with tapering doses of steroids like prednisone and off-label immunosuppressive drugs, but the FDA recently approved Uplizna, a monoclonal antibody targeting specific B-cells, which demonstrated an 87% reduction in disease flare-ups in clinical trials.

Breakthrough measles infections: Why some vaccinated individuals still get sick

(NBC News)—Breakthrough measles infections occur in a small percentage of vaccinated individuals during large outbreaks. Despite the high efficacy of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine—93% after one dose and 97% after two doses—some people may still contract measles due to incomplete immune response or other factors. These breakthrough cases, referred to as modified measles, typically present with milder symptoms, such as less severe rash, lower-grade fever, and atypical manifestations like faint Koplik spots. Although less contagious, modified measles cases still pose a transmission risk. Continued vaccination efforts are crucial to prevent outbreaks, especially in areas with low vaccination rates.

Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in these articles are solely that of the publication and/or author and do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of epocrates and athenahealth.

Sources:

Tagle, A. (2025, April 18). NPR. You're probably taking over-the-counter painkillers incorrectly. https://www.npr.org/2025/04/18/nx-s1-5254350/advil-tylenol-which-painkiller-take-when

Oliver, D. (2025, April 22). USA Today. She saw 26 doctors and had 37 procedures with no diagnosis in sight. Then, an answer. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/04/22/rare-disease-immune-disorder-igg4-rd/83155210007/

Cox, D. (2025, April 20). NBC News. What causes breakthrough measles infections? https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/measles-breakthrough-infections-causes-vaccine-symptoms-rcna201799