Digoxin use linked to higher risk of death for patients with newly diagnosed heart failure
September 30th 2013Digoxin, commonly used to treat heart conditions, was associated with a 72% higher rate of death among adults with newly diagnosed heart failure, according to a Kaiser Permanente study in the September issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
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Dapagliflozin as part of triple therapy works well for T2DM
September 30th 2013In adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who are uncontrolled on metformin and sulfonylurea, dapagliflozin can be added to help improve HbA1c and reduce fasting plasma glucose, body weight, and seated systolic blood pressure, according to results from a study presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Barcelona, Spain, in September.
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Cognitive enhancers don’t help after 96 weeks in mild cognitive impairment for Alzheimer’s patients
September 26th 2013Cognitive enhancers-drugs taken to enhance concentration, memory, alertness, and moods- that are often given to patients with Alzheimer’s disease do not improve cognition or function for those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the long term-about 96 weeks, according to a study published recently in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
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Drug-resistant superbugs ‘urgent threat’ to United States
September 24th 2013A new report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says millions of Americans are at risk from drug-resistant superbugs that cause gonorrhea, C. difficile, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).
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Clear marking on pain patches required by FDA
September 23rd 2013FDA is requiring color changes to the printing on fentanyl (Duragesic) pain patches so that it is clearly visible, to help avoid risk of accidental exposure. Accidental exposure to these patches that contain a narcotic opioid can cause serious harm and death in children, pets, and others.
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Mental ‘fogginess’ with tamoxifen use should be taken seriously
September 20th 2013Tamoxifen use among some women with breast cancer has been reported to cause mental “fogginess” while on the medication, and researchers have demonstrated that the side effect is real, according to an online study published Sept. 17 in the Journal of Neuroscience.
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Varenicline may help some patients with depression quit smoking
September 19th 2013About half of smokers seeking treatment for smoking cessation have a history of depression. Compared with smokers who are not depressed, those who suffer from a major depressive disorder (MDD) have greater difficulty quitting, according to a study published September 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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CVS Caremark urges controlled prescribing to combat prescription drug abuse
September 17th 2013In order to help combat the national prescription drug abuse epidemic, CVS Caremark is tapping its extensive database to identify and halt inappropriate prescribing of high-risk drugs such as opioid painkillers.
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FDA strengthens warnings on long-acting opioids
September 10th 2013In hopes of decreasing opioid abuse, addictions, and overdose deaths, FDA this week announced safety-labeling changes for all extended-release and long-acting (ER/LA) opioid analgesics used to treat pain. FDA has also added new postmarket study requirements for opioids such as morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl.
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