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.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted tentative approval to Dr. Reddy's Laboratories for the first generic version of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable for HIV prevention. The development raises hopes of making HIV prevention more affordable in 120 low- and middle-income countries, including India.

The approval is considered “tentative”, the FDA’s standard designation for generics while the originator remains under patent.

The development comes just 16 months after Gilead Sciences received approval for its original product, marking one of the fastest timelines for a major HIV innovation.

Lenacapavir is the first twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention. Dr. Reddy's generic injection is expected to cost US$40 per person annually across the 120 eligible countries, with initial supplies expected by the end of 2026.

Calling it “a moment of immense pride”, Deepak Sapra, Chief Executive Officer, API and Services, at Dr. Reddy's, said the FDA approval validates the company's efforts to expand access to twice-yearly HIV prevention across low- and middle-income countries.

Also read: South Africa Receives 1st Batch Of HIV Prevention Medicine Lenacapavir

Dr Reddy's First Of 6 Generic Drugmakers To Get FDA Nod

In October 2024, Gilead Sciences signed voluntary licensing agreements with six generic manufacturers to produce and supply low-cost versions of lenacapavir in 120 low- and middle-income countries.

The six manufacturers are:

• Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (India)
• Emcure Pharmaceuticals (India)
• Hetero Labs (India)
• Eva Pharma (Egypt)
• Ferozsons Laboratories (Pakistan)
• Mylan (a subsidiary of Viatris)

Dr. Reddy's is the first among the six licensees to receive tentative US FDA approval. The other five companies are at various stages of product development, bioequivalence testing and regulatory filing.

What Will Cheaper Lenacapavir Mean For India?

At its August 11, 2026, meeting, the Indian drug regulator's Subject Expert Committee recommended waiving local Phase III clinical trials and bioequivalence studies for generic injectable lenacapavir applications submitted by Dr. Reddy's and Emcure Pharmaceuticals for PrEP.

The proposed price of approximately US$40 per person annually could make twice-yearly HIV prevention more accessible.

However, this is an indicative price for generic supplies, not a confirmed retail price in India. The eventual Indian price will depend on regulatory approval, manufacturing costs, supply capacity, competition and distribution.

Read More: Exclusive With Leading HIV Expert: What's Driving Rising HIV Cases Among India's Youth And How To Prevent It

What Does The Approval Mean For HIV Prevention?

Generic lenacapavir could offer people at risk of HIV an alternative to daily oral PrEP pills. Its twice-yearly dosing may help those who struggle with daily medication adherence or face stigma and barriers to healthcare access.

“For someone at risk of HIV, taking a pill every day to prevent a disease they do not have is a hard thing to ask. Two injections a year of a product that is almost 100% effective at preventing HIV changes that entirely.”

“Generic lenacapavir has the potential to transform HIV prevention, and this is a significant milestone, but an affordable drug alone is not enough,” said Professor Saiqa Mullick, Director of Implementation Science at Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand, which partnered with Dr. Reddy's.

Lenacapavir: How Does It Work?

Lenacapavir is a long-acting antiretroviral drug developed by Gilead. For HIV prevention, it is administered as two injections in the abdomen, providing protection for six months.

People must test negative for HIV before receiving it. The drug does not treat existing HIV infections or prevent other sexually transmitted infections.

Two major clinical trials demonstrated its high efficacy. In one study involving adolescent girls and young women in South Africa and Uganda, there were zero new HIV infections among participants who received lenacapavir. A second trial involving gay men and gender-diverse individuals also demonstrated high efficacy with twice-yearly injections.

Increasing consumption of caffeinated energy drinks and stimulant-containing supplements has been linked to a higher frequency of reported serious cardiovascular events, including cardiac arrest, heart attacks and abnormal heart rhythms, particularly among young adults, according to preliminary research.

The findings, based on an analysis of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety reports, will be presented at the American Heart Association's (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2026, scheduled for November 6-9 in Chicago.

Researchers found that cardiac arrest was reported about 11 times more frequently in connection with caffeine- and

stimulant-containing products than products without these ingredients.

Energy Drinks And Heart Problems: What Did The Study Find?

Researchers analyzed 28,345 reports of possible adverse events submitted to an FDA safety database between 2017 and 2025. Of these, 854 involved energy drinks and supplements containing caffeine or other stimulants.

Key findings included:

• Cardiac arrest was reported about 11 times more frequently with caffeine- and stimulant-containing products.
• Heart attacks were 4.5 times more likely to appear in these reports.
• Ventricular arrhythmias and heart palpitations were reported about four times more frequently.
• Elevated heart rate was reported nearly three times more frequently.
• Chest pain was reported 2.71 times more frequently, while fainting was reported about twice as frequently.

About 45% of reports involving cardiovascular events and these products concerned adults aged 18 to 34. Similar patterns were observed among men and women.

Also read: FSSAI Targets 6 Energy Drink Brands; Experts Link Them to Obesity, Liver Problems

Why Are Energy Drinks Raising Concerns?

Sales of caffeinated energy drinks have more than doubled over the past decade, reaching over $20 billion in 2024.

According to the AHA's 2026 scientific statement on caffeine and cardiovascular disease, consuming up to 400 mg of caffeine daily is generally safe for most adults.

However, some energy drinks contain up to three times more caffeine per fluid ounce than brewed coffee. Certain pre-workout supplements contain more than 12 times as much.

High caffeine intake has been associated with cardiovascular harm. Healthcare professionals have also reported cases of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death following consumption of these products, including among young adults without known heart disease.

Why Are Young Adults Particularly Affected?

Researchers do not yet know why young adults account for such a large proportion of the cardiovascular event reports.

Possible explanations include frequent consumption, using these products before intense exercise, combining them with alcohol or other drugs, and undiagnosed heart conditions.

"These products are marketed as everyday pick-me-ups and sold next to soda and bottled water, so most people assume they carry no real risk," said study author Sai Samayamanthula, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

He cautioned that regular consumers could quickly exceed recommended daily caffeine limits.

The researchers recommended better safety monitoring and urged healthcare professionals to ask younger patients experiencing palpitations, chest pain or fainting about their energy drink and stimulant supplement consumption.

Do Energy Drinks Cause Cardiac Arrest?

Read More: Excessive Energy Drinks Damaging Young Adults’ Livers, Experts Warn

The findings indicate an association, not proof that energy drinks cause cardiac arrest or other cardiovascular conditions.

Gregory M. Marcus, chair of the AHA's 2026 scientific statement on caffeine and cardiovascular disease, said the research raises concerns about products containing very high amounts of caffeine.

"Although there are biological reasons why that connection could be possible, the study does not prove that caffeine products cause these events, because other factors may have influenced the results," said Marcus, who was not involved in the study, and a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine.

What Are The Study's Limitations?

The study relied on voluntary reports submitted to the FDA by consumers, healthcare professionals and manufacturers. Researchers could not determine how many people consumed these products without experiencing adverse events or how many cardiovascular events went unreported.

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has reportedly said that he has not drunk plain water in 48 years, preferring his favourite soft drink instead.

Billionaire Bill Ackman recalled a dinner conversation with Buffett during an appearance on a recent podcast, where the legendary investor's drinking habits left him surprised, Business Insider reported.

During the dinner, Ackman offered Buffett a choice between still and sparkling water. However, the investor declined both. Curious about his preference, Ackman asked whether he drank water at all.

Buffett's reported response left him surprised.

"Bill, I haven't had water in 48 years," Buffett reportedly told Ackman.

Ackman, knowing about Buffett's fondness for Cherry Coke, had stocked up on the beverage ahead of the meeting.

Buffett's fondness for Coca-Cola is no secret and goes back decades. He has spoken about his preference for the beverage for years, and his association with the brand goes back to the 1980s. He also declared Cherry Coke the official beverage of Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder meeting.

Also read: What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Drinking Water?

What Happens If You Replace Plain Water With Coke?

Coca-Cola can contribute to your daily fluid intake, but that does not make it a healthy substitute for plain water. Regular Coke contains added sugar and calories, which can have consequences for health when consumed frequently.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with several health problems, including:

• Weight gain and obesity.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Heart disease.
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Tooth decay and cavities.
• Gout, a type of arthritis.

Unlike plain water, which contains no calories, regular soft drinks add sugar and calories to the diet without providing comparable nutritional benefits.

Replacing water with sugary drinks regularly can therefore increase a person's overall sugar and calorie intake, potentially affecting metabolic and dental health over time.

Sugar-sweetened beverages include regular sodas, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened water, and coffee and tea beverages with added sugars.

The CDC notes that replacing added sugars with low- or no-calorie sweeteners may reduce calorie intake in the short term and help with weight management. However, questions remain about their effectiveness as a long-term weight management strategy.

Read More: Olympian Ciara Mageean Dies At 34 After Bowel Cancer Battle: Warning Signs In Young Adults

Why Is Drinking Enough Water Important?

According to the CDC, getting enough water every day is essential for health. Water helps prevent dehydration and allows the body to function normally.

Dehydration can cause unclear thinking, mood changes, overheating, constipation and kidney stones.

Water plays several important roles in the body. It helps:

• Maintain a normal body temperature.
• Lubricate and cushion joints.
• Protect the spinal cord and other sensitive tissues.
• Remove waste through urination, perspiration and bowel movements.

The body's water requirements may also increase in hot climates, during physical activity, or when a person has a fever, diarrhoea or vomiting.

Water contains no calories. Replacing sugary drinks with plain water can therefore help reduce overall calorie intake.