FDA Has Approved A New Medication Treatment For Migraines In Adults

Updated Feb 6, 2025 | 05:09 PM IST

SummaryMany people use the terms ‘migraine’ and ‘headache’ interchangeably. This leads many people to believe that migraines are not as serious as people make them out to be, and that cannot be more wrong, migraines have a major effect on a person’s lifestyle and the new approved medication may prove to be a great relief!
(Credit-Canva)

(Credit-Canva)

Headaches are a common symptom of a stressful lifestyle, your body not feeling well and other issues. While headaches can be dealt with easily, migraines are not so easy to handle. Migraines are a type of headache that feels like severe throbbing and pulsing sensation, almost like you are hearing your own heartbeat in your brain, usually on one side of the brain. Many people believe that migraines are not that big of a deal because you just have to deal with the pain, but that is not all migraine is, some people find it very difficult to do their daily tasks as they experience dizzying spells, nausea and extreme sensitivity to light and sound! These attacks can last hours and make it difficult for people to go about their daily lives as well. While there are medications available for migraine patients, these medications need time to take effect, so you may be in a lot of pain, but there are not many quick reliefs you can have in place other than learning the symptoms of a migraine attack and taking medication before it happens. But a new approval by the FDA may change this!

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Symbravo, a new medicine to treat acute migraine attacks in adults. This means adults can now use Symbravo to get relief from their migraine symptoms. The FDA's decision was based on the results of three big studies, called Phase 3 trials. These trials involved over 21,000 migraine attacks, so the FDA has a lot of information about how well Symbravo works and how safe it is. The FDA only approves medicines that have been shown to be both safe and effective through a thorough testing process.

Importance of New Treatment Option

"Migraine attacks can happen suddenly and really mess up people's lives. It's estimated that over 39 million people in the U.S. alone get migraines," said Herriot Tabuteau, M.D., CEO of Axsome Therapeutics told US News. This shows how common migraines are and how important it is to have good treatments. "Symbravo gives patients and doctors a new option that can quickly stop a migraine attack, keep it away, and let people get back to their normal activities, all with just one dose." Having a medicine that can give fast and long-lasting relief from migraine pain is a big deal for millions of people. This new treatment is a real step forward in how we treat migraines.

Symbravo Trial Results, How Was It Approved

The trials took place in 3 steps, the Momentum trial study focused on people whose migraines had moderate to severe pain. The results showed that a lot more people taking Symbravo felt pain-free two hours after taking the medicine compared to those who took a placebo which is a dummy pill. Even better, many people felt relief for up to 24 and even 48 hours after just one dose. This long-lasting relief is really important for people with migraines because it means they can get back to their normal lives without worrying about the pain coming back. The study also looked at how many people were free from their worst symptom, like sensitivity to light or sound, or nausea. Symbravo worked better than the placebo in this area too.

While the intercept trial looked at people who took Symbravo when their migraine pain was still mild. Even when the pain was just starting, Symbravo was effective. The results were similar to the MOMENTUM trial, with many people getting pain relief and relief from their worst symptoms. Treating migraines early is often better because it can stop the pain from getting really bad.

And lastly the Movement trial which was to see how safe the medication is when people take it regularly. This study followed 706 people who had at least two migraines a month. The most common side effects people experienced were sleepiness and dizziness. While these side effects are important to know about, the study showed that Symbravo is generally safe for people to use on a regular basis.

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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Plans To Freeze Eggs As She Eyes 2028 US Presidential Run

Updated Aug 10, 2026 | 09:11 PM IST

SummaryAOC said she wanted to normalize conversations about fertility treatment, particularly for working women, especially in a political environment where women are denied reproductive care, from abortion rights to the ability to carry out a healthy pregnancy.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Plans To Freeze Eggs As She Eyes 2028 US Presidential Run

Credit: Instagram

Amid speculation about a potential 2028 US presidential run, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has revealed that she plans to freeze her eggs.

The 36-year-old New York Democrat shared her decision in a series of Instagram Stories, including footage of herself administering fertility medication.

“This is a choice that I am making to feel more in control of my life,” Ocasio-Cortez said.

AOC Opens Up About Egg Freezing

Ocasio-Cortez said she had been saving for the procedure for a long time and noted that women often lack information about fertility and their reproductive health.

She also spoke about balancing fertility treatment with her work as a congresswoman, saying she would take her medication injections in a dressing room before a scheduled ABC interview.

“I want you all to see that,” she said, adding that women can balance fertility treatment with their professional lives. Ocasio-Cortez also showed some of the medicines and supplies used during the process, including syringes and alcohol wipes. Egg-freezing treatment typically involves hormone injections over about 10 days or longer.

She joked about the process before administering an injection herself. Afterward, she said: “That wasn’t so bad!”

AOC Wants To Normalize Fertility Conversations

During an interview with ABC News, Ocasio-Cortez said she had not “ruled out the possibility” of running for president. She also said she wanted to normalize conversations about fertility treatment, particularly for working women.

“In this political environment where this administration is denying reproductive care to women across the country, from abortion rights to the ability to carry out a healthy pregnancy, I think it’s important for us as leaders to have these conversations and share these processes,” she said.

What Is Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing, medically known as oocyte cryopreservation, allows women to preserve eggs at a younger reproductive age for potential use in the future.

It does not guarantee a future pregnancy but can provide an additional reproductive option for women who want to delay childbearing for personal, social or medical reasons.

Planned egg freezing may be considered after appropriate counselling and fertility assessment, particularly when undertaken at a younger age.

Who May Benefit From Egg Freezing?

Dr. Tarang Yadav, Senior Consultant – IVF, Obstetrics and Gynecology, ShardaCare–Healthcity, told HealthandMe that fertility preservation may benefit women who:

  • Plan to delay pregnancy because of career or personal circumstances
  • Have not yet found a suitable life partner
  • Are undergoing cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • Have severe endometriosis
  • Are undergoing ovarian surgery
  • Have diminished ovarian reserve
  • Have a family history of premature ovarian insufficiency

“In such situations, fertility preservation can provide psychological reassurance and reproductive flexibility before ovarian function declines further,” Dr. Tarang said.

Why Does Timing Matter?

Egg-freezing outcomes are generally better when eggs are frozen at a younger age, particularly before 35. Younger eggs tend to have better quality and chromosomal competence, which may improve the chances of successful IVF in the future.

Dr. Tarang stressed the importance of early fertility counselling and ovarian reserve assessment. Tests such as Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), ultrasound-based antral follicle count (AFC) and an overall reproductive evaluation can help determine whether egg freezing is appropriate.

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After Lettuce Recall, Taylor Farms Recalls 20 More Products, Including Salsa and Guacamole, Over Salmonella Risk

Updated Aug 10, 2026 | 09:17 PM IST

SummaryThe CDC and FDA said earlier this week that they were investigating a Salmonella outbreak that had sickened 345 people across 27 states and led to 36 hospitalizations.
After Lettuce Recall, Taylor Farms Recalls 20 More Products, Including Salsa and Guacamole, Over Salmonella Risk

Credit: iStock

After recalling lettuce that may have been linked to a severe nationwide Cyclospora outbreak in the US, Taylor Farms has now recalled 20 more products, including salsa and guacamole, over concerns about possible Salmonella contamination.

Taylor Farms also said on social media that none of its Taylor Farms-branded salad kits are associated with the outbreak. Most of the recalled lettuce was sold in large bags to food-service operations, including restaurants, with many products containing romaine lettuce.

Why Has Taylor Farms Issued Another Recall?

In a statement on August 9, Taylor Farms said the latest recall is tied to fresh jalapeños supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors. A grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, that supplies Coast Citrus was identified as a potential source of the Salmonella outbreak.

“Taylor Fresh Foods is no longer sourcing products from this farmer and will be filling orders from alternative suppliers,” the company said on its website.

Also read: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Plans To Freeze Eggs As She Eyes 2028 US Presidential Run

Where Were the Recalled Products Sold?

The recalled products were sold in several states, including Texas, and distributed to major retailers such as Target, Walmart and Whole Foods.

Taylor Farms products were also recalled from Target, Trader Joe’s and Scarborough, Maine-based supermarket chain Hannaford across about 20 states.

Walmart said it had removed the impacted products from its stores and implemented a sales block at its registers and online. Kroger, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Hannaford-parent Ahold Delhaize did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Jalapeños

The CDC and FDA said earlier this week that they were investigating a Salmonella outbreak that had sickened 345 people across 27 states and led to 36 hospitalizations.

The US investigation identified restaurants including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba as having received jalapeños imported by Coast Citrus Distributors, Reuters reported.

Both restaurants stopped using the jalapeños, while Coast Citrus recalled the remaining product and notified customers.

Read More: Can You Contract Deadly Flesh-Eating Bacteria At The Beach? Louisiana Health Officials Warn Beachgoers

USDA Issues Alert for Meat and Poultry Products

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has also issued a new public health alert for 18 meat and poultry products containing recalled jalapeño peppers potentially contaminated with Salmonella.

The products were made using jalapeños that had already been recalled by the FDA. Many of the affected products are sold under brands including Taylor Farms, Walmart’s Marketside and H-E-B. The products have expiry dates extending through August 15.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said the issue came to light after the FDA notified the agency that several meat and poultry establishments had received the recalled jalapeños as an ingredient.

The agency warned that some of the products may still be sitting in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers and advised people not to eat them. Retailers have also been told not to sell the affected products.

What Are the Symptoms of Salmonella?

Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe illness.

Contaminated food may look, smell and taste completely normal, meaning consumers cannot rely on appearance or taste to determine whether food is safe.

Consumers who have purchased products covered by the USDA alert should not eat them. They should discard them safely or return them to the place of purchase.

Anyone who develops symptoms after eating a potentially contaminated product should contact a healthcare provider and disclose the possible Salmonella exposure.

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Young Cannabis Users Are Landing In ERs With Severe Vomiting: CDC Study Finds

Updated Aug 10, 2026 | 08:00 PM IST

SummaryAccording to a new study by the CDC, cases of young cannabis users with severe vomiting and abdominal pain are increasing.
Young Cannabis Users Are Landing In ERs With Severe Vomiting: CDC Study Finds

Credit: AI

Frequent cannabis use is sending more people to emergency rooms with episodes of severe nausea, uncontrollable vomiting and abdominal pain, according to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The study also observed that teenagers and young adults are among the groups that were most affected with these symptoms.

The study, published August 6 in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), analysed emergency department data from January 2023 through May 2026. Researchers identified 199,565 emergency visits involving cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) during that period.

CHS is a condition linked with frequent, prolonged cannabis use. It can cause repeated episodes of intense nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In severe cases, repeated vomiting can result in dehydration and other related complications.

Why Are The Cases Rising Among Young Population?

A new diagnosis code specifically for CHS was introduced in the US on October 1, 2025. Before that, doctors often had to identify CHS by combining codes for vomiting with codes indicating cannabis use.

It meant that several cases were missed or dismissed and diagnosed as another gastrointestinal problem.

After the new code was introduced, CHS-related emergency visits jumped from 3.35 per 10,000 emergency visits in September 2025 to 11.26 per 10,000 in October.

Between October 2025 and May 2026, the average monthly proportion was 3.7 times higher than the monthly average recorded before the new code was introduced.

CDC researchers, however, caution that this does not necessarily mean CHS itself suddenly became 3.7 times more common. Better recognition and reporting most likely can explain the increase. The researchers wrote that “the abrupt, sustained increase” may be due to better recognition and testing.

The highest proportion of CHS-related emergency visits was seen among younger patients between the age of 15–24 years.

Among visits recorded after the new diagnostic code was introduced, this age group accounted for an average of 38.70 CHS-involved visits per 10,000 emergency visits, compared with 28.28 among people aged 25–34. The number of females were also higher than males.

Researchers added that this pattern could also be due to earlier use of cannabis use combined with frequent consumption of THC products.

Also read: Think Marijuana Helps Relax? New Study Links Cannabis With Higher Levels Of Stress Hormone

Warning Signs

CHS typically causes nausea, uncontrollable vomiting and severe abdominal pain.

A few patients reported temporary relief from very hot showers or baths.

The condition can be difficult to recognise because its symptoms overlap with other causes of vomiting.

The researchers also say that CHS can occur sooner after cannabis use than previously thought and may remain undiagnosed for years.

Stopping cannabis use completely is considered the key step in preventing repeated episodes of CHS.

Also read: Cannabis-Based Treatment Shows Promise In Easing Agitation In Dementia: New Clinical Trial

Side Effects Of Cannabis

  • Impairment of memory, attention, coordination and decision-making
  • Slow reaction time, reflexes and impair driving ability
  • Increase in heart rate and blood pressure shortly after use
  • Harm to the lung tissue
  • Increase the risk of cannabis use disorder
  • Mental health problems including anxiety, depression and psychosis
  • Harm to developing brain, especially when used during adolescence

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