1: Smells like Ozempic has some other side effects…

A cohort study of 440K patients with type 2 diabetes found that those on GLP-1 receptor agonists had an increased risk of overall smell and taste disturbances (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.37-1.61) when compared to non-GLP-1 RA users. Given that these changes were persistent over 2 years of follow-up, these adverse events should be made known to patients and clinicians, as well as studied further to better understand the underlying mechanism.

2: Oral ketamine for depression

A Phase 2 randomized clinical trial evaluated KET01, a novel oral prolonged-release ketamine tablet, in 122 outpatients with treatment-resistant depression. While daily 240 mg doses significantly reduced depression severity at days 4 and 7, the trial missed its primary end point at day 21, showing no significant difference over placebo. Crucially, a companion Phase 1 trial showed that KET01 caused almost zero dissociative or cardiovascular side effects compared to intranasal esketamine. Despite transient liver enzyme elevations in 10% of patients, this excellent tolerability profile supports the continued development of oral ketamine for at-home administration.

3: 1/3 of patients ignore "red flag" cancer symptoms

An online survey of 6,844 UK adults found that nearly 1/3 of individuals (32%) who noticed a potential "red flag" cancer symptom failed to contact their GP within six months. The primary barriers to seeking medical help included anticipating difficulty making an appointment (53%), experiencing actual appointment difficulties (47%), or deciding to self-manage the symptoms (43%). Symptoms overlooked included unexplained lumps, sudden weight loss, and coughing up blood. To counter these delays, Cancer Research UK has partnered with Tesco Pharmacy to train community pharmacists to provide specialized guidance, offering an accessible first point of contact to accelerate early diagnosis and encourage timely clinical intervention.

Drug Shortages ⚠️

Mylan-Latanoprost/Timolol

Olestyr

Newly Approved Drugs ✨

Zepbound: treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity (BMI 30kg/m² or greater) as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

GLP-1s’ latest trick might help Canadians sleep easier

What happened: Health Canada has approved Zepbound, a weight-loss drug, to treat sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

Why it matters: In Canada, about 1/3 of adults live with obesity. Excess body fat, especially around the neck or throat, can cause the airway to collapse during sleep. That's the link Health Canada is now acting on: on June 11, Health Canada authorized Zepbound, making it the only GLP-1 drug approved in Canada for sleep apnea.

Zepbound’s active ingredient is tirzepatide, which helps reduce appetite. For sleep apnea, Zepbound is taken once weekly alongside a calorie-reduced diet and exercise. 

But: The drug isn’t here to replace CPAP. Among patients who weren't using CPAP, tirzepatide cut breathing interruptions by 25 per hour compared to placebo. One researcher not involved in the study said that a reduction of 25-29 events per hour is a meaningful change, often putting patients into a lower severity category.

These are impressive findings, but more research is needed to see if tirzepatide could help sleep apnea patients who don’t have obesity. There are signs it could, but for now, that evidence is only anecdotal. 

Of course, it isn’t without downsides. Side effects are common, including nausea, vomiting, and constipation, while rare severe cases can involve pancreatitis or gallstones.

Bottom line: GLP-1s are starting to look like the Swiss Army knife of medicine: weight loss, diabetes, and now sleep apnea. Until we know more about long-term effects and who's most likely to benefit, CPAP shouldn't be packed away just yet. Zepbound looks like a sharp new blade in that knife, but not the whole tool—at least not yet.

1: ⚽ Canada is through to the Round of 16, and the run isn't over yet. Stephen Eustáquio's stoppage-time goal sealed a 1-0 win over South Africa in Los Angeles on Sunday, making this the deepest the men's national team has ever gone at a World Cup. Alphonso Davies, finally back on the pitch after injury kept him out of group play, came on in the 75th minute, just in time to remind everyone why his jersey sells out first. Canada faces Morocco in Houston on July 4. No pressure, but the whole country has already cleared its calendar.

🦇A case report published this week in CMAJ details the 2024 death of an 11-year-old Ontario boy from rabies following bat contact at a cottage, the province's 1st human rabies case since 1967. The boy was found with a bat on his face while sleeping, but no visible bite or scratch was noted and the family did not seek medical attention. Symptoms appeared nearly 3 weeks later and progressed rapidly; he died after 5 days in hospital. Physicians at McMaster Children's Hospital published the case to raise awareness: any skin contact with a bat warrants immediate medical evaluation, as post-exposure prophylaxis is near-universally effective when given before symptoms develop — but once symptoms appear, the disease is near-universally fatal. 

🧠 Longer breastfeeding is associated with lower ADHD symptoms in early childhood, according to a Norwegian study of more than 37,000 children born between 1999 and 2009. Researchers found that the longer a child was exclusively breastfed (up to the WHO-recommended 6 months) the lower their ADHD symptom levels at ages 3, 5, and 8. The effect was dose-dependent: any breastfeeding showed benefit, but exclusive breastfeeding produced the strongest association. Girls showed more pronounced effects than boys across all age groups. Researchers suggest breast milk's mix of macronutrients, immune components, and bioactive compounds may shape early brain development, though the study is observational and the mechanisms remain under investigation.

👁️ A case report in BMJ Case Reports describes a young man who developed multiple retinal tears, bruising, and retinal dialysis after using a percussive massage gun on and around both eyes for several minutes at a time, weekly, for 3 months — to relieve eye fatigue. He was successfully treated with laser therapy after seeking care promptly, though the authors note retinal dialysis can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. They call for clear manufacturer warnings and flag an underappreciated history-taking point: unexpected retinal presentations are worth asking about wellness device use.

✈️ Read: why airplane cabins always seem just a little too cold. This fascinating explainer explores the science behind one of flying's most common complaints, and why finding the perfect cabin temperature is far more complicated than it seems.

🌯 Make: these do-ahead campfire burritos built for maximum payoff with minimal effort. Prep ahead, heat over the fire, and you’ve got smoky, customizable comfort food with almost no cleanup.

🌡️ Navigate: Europe’s heatwave and what it means for summer travel plans across the continent. If a European vacation is on your summer list, this update breaks down how soaring temperatures are affecting destinations, itineraries, and day-to-day travel across peak season.

📺 Watch: this YouTube video explaining whether patients can safely stop antibiotics once they feel better — and what the evidence actually says.

💰 Save: on this portable air conditioner while the deal lasts. With Europe's heatwave making headlines and Canadian summers getting warmer, this one may be worth grabbing before the price climbs with the temperature.

First clue: Like risus sardonicus in tetanus

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