Until law, GLP-1 drugs were used to treat diabetes, obesity and even the recent evidences suggest that it could as well be used to treat chronic kidney problems. There is yet another research, published in JAMA Psychiatry on February 25, titled Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial that explores if GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in adults with alcohol use disorder.

What Do Studies Say?

The research was conducted over a period of 9 weeks, where in the randomized clinical trial, the participants who were administered semaglutide, it led to reductions in some but not all measures of weekly consumptions. It also reduced weekly alcohol and craving related to placebo, and also led to a greater relative reduction in cigarettes per day.

The research also found that weekly injections of semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in weight loss drugs like Wegovy also helped reduce cravings in people with alcohol use disorder.

The lead author Christian Hendershot said that these findings will help in developing new approaches to treat alcoholism. "Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren't widely used. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder," said Hendershot in news release by the University of Southern California's Institute for Addiction Research, where he is the director.

The study is government-funded research and was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was small, and took in account for only 48 adults over two months, thus experts say that it is not yet clear how safe these drugs are for people who do not need to lose weight. Though the results do add up with the evidence form animal studies on drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on how it helps manage cravings, not just for food, but also for tobacco and alcohol. Scientists are also studying these drugs on smokers, people with opioid addiction and cocaine users.

Co-author Dr Klara Klein of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who treats people with obesity and diabetes said, "This is such promising data. And we need more of it. We frequently will hear that once people start these medications that their desire to drink is very reduced, if not completely abolished."

Why Does It Work So Well Against Alcoholism?

The GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking hormones GLP-1 in the gut and brain that regulates appetite and feelings of fullness. This response is what helps one lose weight, and what helps one curb their craving for alcohol. These drugs that mimic the functioning of your brain, which is responsible to tell your body when to stop consuming, are the same hormones that tell your body about other kinds of consumptions, including alcohol. Therefore by consuming the weight loss drugs one can treat alcohol use disorder.

However, the researchers have pointed out on the limited data on the research and have suggested to continue using the three approved drugs by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, namely, Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate to treat alcohol use disorder until large studies confirm these findings.

The Centre has tightened restrictions on certain cough and cold medicines for children below four years, citing potential health risks associated with a specific drug combination in children.

The Union Health Ministry has restricted the manufacture, sale and distribution of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) containing chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride for children under four.

Manufacturers have also been instructed to carry a clear warning stating that the medicine “shall not be used in children below four years of age.”

The decision follows recommendations from an expert committee and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), which reviewed the safety of the combination in young children.

Why These Medicines Have Been Restricted?

Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine, while phenylephrine is a decongestant. The combination is used to relieve symptoms like blocked or runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes caused by colds, flu and allergies.

However, young children can respond differently to medicines than adults, and dosing errors or adverse effects can result in more serious effects in this age group.

The Health Ministry’s expert committee concluded that the combination could pose potential health risks in children below four, particularly when safer alternatives are available.

The latest directive therefore requires manufacturers to clearly communicate the age restriction rather than putting the onus on parents.

Also read: FSSAI Orders Halt Of Ghee Sales Amid Adulteration Crackdown: How To Spot Fake Ghee & Its Effects On Your Health

Cough And Cold Medicines Are Not Always Needed In Young Children

A common cold is usually caused by a virus, meaning antibiotics do not treat it. In many children, symptoms improve with supportive care such as adequate fluids, rest and measures recommended by a paediatrician.

Combination cough and cold products can contain several active ingredients, increasing the possibility of incorrect dosing and side effects if parents give more than one medicine containing the same ingredient.

This is particularly important for young children because their medication doses are generally calculated according to age and/or body weight.

Also read: Shigellosis Cases In Kerala Raise AMR Concern: All About Complications Due To Drug-Resistant Shigella

Restriction Comes Amid Wider Scrutiny Of Cough Medicines

The government has been tightening oversight of paediatric medicines following serious concerns surrounding cough syrups in India.

In June, the Centre removed cough syrups from an exemption that had allowed certain products to be sold through retail outlets in smaller villages without the same pharmacy restrictions.

What Parents Should Do?

Parents should avoid giving children under four any medicine containing this combination unless specifically advised by a qualified healthcare professional.

• Before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child, parents should:
• Check the active ingredients, not just the brand name.
• Follow the dose prescribed by a paediatrician.
• Avoid combining multiple cold medicines without medical advice.
• Use the measuring device supplied with liquid medicines rather than household spoons.
• Never give a medicine prescribed for another child.
• Seek medical attention if a child’s symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening.

The government has emphasised that safer alternatives are available, while the latest restriction is intended to reduce avoidable medication-related risks in young children.

‘Scromiting’ is back in the news as emergency department visits in the US involving cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) were 3.7 times as high, according to a CDC report.

CHS is associated with frequent cannabis use and is characterized by episodes of severe nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The term “scromiting” refers to a combination of screaming and vomiting that can occur during severe episodes.

The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), which analyzed data from January 2023 through May 2026, found that the rate of emergency department visits involving CHS remained largely steady from January 2023 through September 2025.

CHS is likely under-recognized in both adolescents and adults. Clinicians may not routinely assess or document cannabis use, while CHS can also be misdiagnosed as other gastrointestinal conditions, including cyclic vomiting syndrome.

To improve clinical identification, a specific International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) discharge diagnosis code for CHS was introduced on October 1, 2025. The CDC report examined CHS-related emergency department visits before and after the code was introduced.

The change was immediate. From September 2025 to October 2025, CHS-involved emergency department visits jumped from 3.35 per 10,000 to 11.26 per 10,000. The rate rose further to 13.10 per 10,000 by May 2026.

From October 2025 through May 2026, CHS-involved emergency department visits were 3.7 times as high as the monthly average recorded before the new diagnostic code was introduced.

The CDC noted that the new code made the condition easier to identify and track, meaning the sharp increase may partly reflect greater recognition and documentation of CHS.

Also read: Sugar Rationing In First 1,000 Days Linked To Lower Depression, Cancer Risk In Adulthood

What Is Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome?

CHS is a syndrome associated with prolonged, frequent cannabis use. It is characterized by sudden episodes of severe nausea, repeated vomiting and abdominal pain.

Reports of suspected CHS increased sharply between 2016 and 2022, with the largest increase occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC noted that the rise also coincided with widespread state-level cannabis legalization in the US, although cannabis remains illegal under federal law.

People with CHS often seek medical care because symptoms can be severe and debilitating. Outcomes can range from resolution of symptoms after stopping cannabis use to, in rare cases, death.

When Was CHS First Identified?

CHS was first identified in Australia in 2004, yet nearly two decades later, the condition remains poorly understood. It typically affects people who use marijuana daily or near daily for more than a year. Symptoms can include severe nausea, repeated vomiting and abdominal pain, along with a compulsive desire to take extremely hot showers or baths.

Many patients report that heat temporarily eases their symptoms, although the relief is often short-lived.

Symptoms Can Last For Days

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CHS episodes can last for days, while recovery may take weeks or even months, depending on overall health, eating habits and whether the person stops using marijuana. Continuing to use cannabis can quickly trigger symptoms again.

A study from George Washington University found that nearly half of surveyed patients had been hospitalized at least once because of CHS. Many reported using marijuana more than five times a day before symptoms began. Starting cannabis at an early age was also linked to a higher likelihood of developing the condition.

Why Is CHS Still Poorly Understood?

Researchers emphasize that CHS is real, although many questions remain unanswered, including why hot showers provide temporary relief and how much cannabis use puts someone at risk.

Health experts say greater clinical awareness is needed. Better screening for cannabis use and recognition of symptom patterns could help reduce misdiagnosis and guide patients towards the only proven treatment: stopping marijuana use.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has to stop the sale of all variants of ghee manufactured by Daman-based SDP Industries, after laboratory tests found signs of adulteration and violation of food safety standards.

The move came after an inspection conducted on May 19. FSSAI said multiple samples were found adulterated, with laboratory analysis detecting β-sitosterol, a plant sterol that should not be present in genuine ghee. The samples also contained abnormalities in fatty-acid composition. 

The food regulator has prohibited the manufacture, storage and sale of the company’s ghee products from its authorised premises until further orders. The products include brands like SHRADDHA, SHREE SARAS and GOKUL. 

Adulterants In Ghee Samples

As pure ghee is made from milk fat, the presence of β-sitosterol is a red flag as it is a plant sterol. FSSAI said its detection, together with the abnormal fatty-acid profile, indicated the presence of vegetable fats in ghee touted to be "pure". 

The latest action is not based on a single sample. FSSAI said that surveillance samples collected in 2024 and January 2026 had also shown non-compliance with critical parameters, including β-sitosterol, fatty-acid profile, B.R. reading and R.M. value. 

Also read: ₹5 Crore Fake Medicine Racket Busted Near Bengaluru: Why Counterfeit Drugs In ICUs Are A Major Health Risk

Adulterated Ghee Is A Huge Health Concern

The health impact of adulteration depends on what has been added to or substituted for the ghee. Vegetable oils and other fats used in adulterated products may negatively alter the nutritional composition of the food. Some counterfeit products may also contain poor-quality, repeatedly heated or improperly processed oils and other non-food-grade substances.

Regular consumption of unhealthy fats can contribute to an overall diet high in saturated or trans fats, which may adversely affect cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.

However, it is important not to assume that every adulterated ghee product will cause immediate poisoning or disease. The exact health risk depends on the adulterant, its concentration in the product and the amount consumed.

At the recent action in Hyderabad, authorities there seized around 36 tonnes of adulterated ghee, raw materials and chemical additives after inspecting 130 establishments. Officials said the suspected adulterated ghee involved ingredients including palm oil, vanaspati, skimmed milk powder and starch. 

Also read: FSSAI Warns Influencers, Celebrities Of Legal Action Over Unverified Food Claims

How To Spot Fake Ghee At Home?

There is no reliable kitchen test that can establish whether packaged ghee is genuine. Colour, smell, texture and whether ghee melts quickly are not enough to confirm purity because manufacturers can easily manipulate these characteristics. Instead, consumers should look for:

• A valid FSSAI license number on packaged products

• Proper labelling, including manufacturer details and batch information

• An intact seal and packaging

• A realistic price rather than unusually cheap “pure ghee”

• Products purchased from established retailers or authorised sellers

• The FSSAI licence and product details being consistent with the manufacturer

For suspected adulteration, laboratory testing is always the reliable method.