CDC Warns of More Severe Influenza Season; Vaccine Match Not Ideal 

A less effective vaccine match and the type of circulating viruses threaten to make this year’s influenza season one for the books. Because of that, the CDC has stepped up its campaign to urge Americans to be vaccinated and is arming pharmacists and other health professionals with information on why that is important even if the vaccine isn’t spot-on. Here are the details.

Study Warns of Increased Hypoglycemia Risk With Tramadol Therapy

Because of misconceptions that tramadol is a safe analgesic not prone to abuse, use of the opioid painkiller is on the upswing. That is a problem, according to a recent study, because the drug also is linked to an increased risk of hospitalization for hypoglycemia in patients who take it. Find out what the authors and commentators recommend about use of the drug.

Do the advantages of using aspirin to prevent heart disease and cancer outweigh the disadvantages? The answer to that question for women depends on age, according to new research. Learn which women benefit most from regular low-dose aspirin and when the drug regimen is better to avoid.

Vitamin D Significantly Reduces Exacerbations in Deficient COPD Patients 

An inexpensive vitamin supplement can dramatically reduce flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients with deficiencies, according to a new British study. Who benefitted most from vitamin D supplementation and why do the authors recommend testing levels of the vitamin in all COPD patients?