From asthma to allergic reactions, to arthritis, Methylprednisolone is a highly effective corticosteroid.

What is Methylprednisolone?

Methylprednisolone (Medrol Dosepak™) is a versatile corticosteroid medication widely used to treat a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including asthma, arthritis, severe allergic reactions, and skin disorders. Its effectiveness comes from its ability to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, providing quick relief from symptoms like swelling, redness, itching and pain.

This medication has been a cornerstone in medical treatment for decades, trusted by healthcare professionals for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. By mimicking cortisol, a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands, methylprednisolone helps regulate inflammation and immune response, making it invaluable in managing acute conditions.

| There are over 3 million prescriptions for Methylprednisolone in the U.S. annually |

However, it’s important to note that methylprednisolone can suppress the body’s immune system, potentially reducing its ability to fight infections. Patients should avoid exposure to infections and promptly report any signs of illness to their healthcare provider. Additionally, methylprednisolone should never be taken concurrently with other anti-inflammatory drugs unless specifically directed by a healthcare professional, as this can increase the risk of side effects and complications.

Methylprednisolone is particularly effective in treating asthma, where it reduces airway inflammation, and in autoimmune diseases like lupus and multiple sclerosis, where it helps control overactive immune responses. It is also commonly used in managing severe allergic reactions and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, offering significant relief from discomfort and improving the quality of life for patients.

While highly effective, methylprednisolone can cause side effects, particularly with long-term use. Common short-term side effects include increased appetite, weight gain, and mood swings, while prolonged use may lead to osteoporosis, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of infections. Despite these potential drawbacks, its benefits in managing chronic and acute conditions make it a valuable option for many patients.

Overall, methylprednisolone remains a trusted and essential medication in the management of a wide range of health issues, providing substantial therapeutic benefits and improving the lives of those affected by inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Methylprednisolone is one of over 25 different medications available as add-ons in our Jase Case.

Check here for a full list of available medications.

High cholesterol is an issue for many. But nearly half of sufferers aren’t aware, or treating their condition.

Cholesterol: necessary in the right amounts, dangerous in high levels.

High cholesterol is a prevalent health issue in the United States, affecting millions of adults and posing a significant hazard to overall heart health. Cholesterol levels also increase your risk for heart disease – the leading cause of death in the United States. 

Through a combination of dietary and lifestyle choices –  and when necessary, medication – cholesterol levels can be managed, and the health risks mitigated.

| About 86 million U.S. adults have borderline high cholesterol levels ( >200 mg/dL), and 25 million have high cholesterol ( >240 mg/dL) CDC |

Risk Factors and Lifestyle Choices:

While some risk factors like age and genetics are unchangeable, lifestyle significantly impacts cholesterol levels. Diet plays a crucial role, with high intake of saturated fats, trans fats, and refined carbohydrates contributing to elevated cholesterol. Physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption also negatively affect cholesterol profiles. 

Often overlooked factors include chronic stress, poor sleep habits, and high sugar intake, all of which can disrupt cholesterol metabolism.

| Nearly half of those with high cholesterol are unaware of their condition, and thus not treating it. |

Managing High Cholesterol:

Fortunately for some, cholesterol can be managed effectively with the right lifestyle choices being made, while others may additionally require medication. Either group that you fall into, know that high cholesterol’s health risks don’t have to be severe if you are diligent about prioritizing heart health. 

Lifestyle Changes:

1. Adopt a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
2. Increase physical activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
3. Maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
4. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
5. Manage stress through relaxation techniques, meditation, or yoga.
6. Ensure adequate sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours per night.
7. Stay hydrated and limit caffeine intake.

Medications:

• Statins: These drugs, including atorvastatin (Lipitor™), and rosuvastatin (Crestor™) are the most commonly prescribed.
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: Medications like ezetimibe reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestine.
• Fibrates: Drugs such as fenofibrate and gemfibrozil primarily lower triglycerides.

 Note: all of the medications listed above (and more) are available to receive a 12-month backup supply with our Jase Daily service.

The Importance of Medication Adherence

For those prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications, consistent adherence is crucial. Suddenly stopping these medications, especially statins, can have serious consequences. A rapid increase in cholesterol levels can occur, heightening the risk of cardiovascular events. 

Statins help stabilize arterial plaques, and discontinuing them can increase the risk of plaque rupture. Many cholesterol medications also have anti-inflammatory properties crucial for heart health, and stopping them abruptly can negate these benefits. Additionally, cessation can lead to deterioration of blood vessel lining function, known as endothelial dysfunction.

Even a short interruption in medication can be risky, especially for individuals with existing heart disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors. The effects of stopping medication aren’t always immediate but can accumulate over time, potentially leading to serious cardiovascular events. It’s vital to maintain open communication with healthcare providers and never make changes to medication regimens without professional guidance.

In Summary:

Managing high cholesterol is a lifelong commitment that involves a combination of healthy lifestyle choices and, for some, medication. Regular check-ups and open communication with your doctor are essential for developing and maintaining an effective cholesterol management plan. 

By taking proactive steps, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke, paving the way for better cardiovascular health.

You should never have to worry about running out of, or not having access to the medications you rely on daily. With Jase Daily, we offer a 12-month backup supply of many different cholesterol medications from each class of cholesterol drug: cholesterol absorption inhibitor, fibrate class lipid-lowering agent, and of course statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors).

Check to see if we offer your specific cholesterol medication, or any of your other medications for chronic conditions today!

PBM’s are supposed to lower prescription costs; they often do the opposite.

News you should know about:

Pharmacy Benefit Managers and their secretive role in your prescription costs:

A new investigative report by the NYT shows that an mostly secretive group of companies called Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM’s), and their subsidiaries called Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO’s) often end up leading to higher prescription drug prices for consumers, despite their stated role being to actually lower prescription costs. Almost all of these companies are owned by either CVS health, UnitedHealth, or Cigna. They oftentimes push name brand prescriptions which allow them to profit more off their percentages, even while cheaper generics are available. The NIH raised similar concerns over PBM’s in a report last year.

These prescription price concerns relating to PBM’s have been echoed time and again with primary issues being that the consolidation of PBM’s in the industry incentivize them to charge more, while they also purportedly use manufacturer drug rebates to increase their profit, instead of passing on those rebates to the consumer.

A recent bill introduced to reform PBM’s influence on prices in the prescription market failed to gain traction in congress. With the organization Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency going so far as to state that:

| “Every day that passes without PBM reform is a day a community in America risks losing access to a pharmacy…” |

Ensuring your own access to your prescriptions has never been of greater importance. While we hope congress can eventually reign in prescription prices, we can’t count on it. We do anticipate further price hikes later this year do to the election and the state of the economy. Get your own supply of emergency medications today with a Jase Case.

Bird Flu concerns loom with a lack of testing and data to act upon.

Experts warn bird-flu could be another pandemic if preventative measures aren’t taken. Testing needs to increase, because it is currently unknown how widespread the disease is – especially among poultry and dairy farm workers. The same thing happened in the early stages of the Covid pandemic – an initial lack of testing left health officials in the dark, resulting in the U.S. being many steps behind in mitigating the risk to the public.

This current strain of the H5N1 bird flu is also behaving differently than the strains of years past, spreading between animals it does not normally infect. This recent leap of the virus from poultry to dairy cows has been called “a never-before-seen vector for transmission“.

While the threat to humans is still classified as low risk, the CDC is working with public health officials and local clinicians to assess risk, implement monitoring and more testing.

But alarm bells are being rung, as former directer of the CDC, Dr. Robert Redfield recently stated in an interview that it is not a matter of if, but when we have a bird flu pandemic.

Early administration of antiviral medication, such as Oseltamivir, is the most effective course of treatment for strains of influenzas including the avian influenza (bird flu). This means the earlier you treat a viral influenza infection the better. For those wanting to stay ahead of this potential health threat, we recommend adding Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) to your Jase Case today, as it will only be harder to get after an outbreak has occurred.

In other prescription related news:

• Wildfires in Ruidoso NM – that are finally beginning to be contained – have led to the evacuation of many residents, and the closing or destruction of businesses in the town. This has affected access to pharmacies, prompting local officials to step in with emergency procedures to ensure that evacuated residents have access to their prescription medications.

• As drug shortages continue to affect patient care worldwide, some antibiotic prescriptions are being withheld to hospitals only. The pediatric version of Azithromycin is the latest medication to be affected by short supply, and face such restriction.

As highlighted above, there are so many forces at play affecting whether or not you can get access to the prescriptions that could save your life. Choose Jase to get your own supply of emergency or daily prescriptions and use code READY20 for $20 off your order.