FDA information systems, Sentinel Initiative seek more timely drug safety information
April 1st 2010New added financial incentives are slated to drive adoption of electronic health record systems by doctors and hospitals, and increased government funding may finally lead to standards for interoperability and e-health exchanges necessary for the free flow of secure health data.
Read More
Tocilizumab (Actemra): An interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
March 1st 2010New molecular entity: Tocilizumab (Actemra) was approved in January 2010, for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more tumor necrosis factor antagonist therapies.
Read More
A review of the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism
March 1st 2010Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a debilitating and potentially fatal condition, often seen in the aging population. VTE results from clot formation in the venous circulation and presents as either deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. A population-based study estimated that at least 201,000 new cases of VTE occur in the United States annually.
Read More
Etravirine: A unique non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor for the treatment of HIV-1
March 1st 2010Etravirine is an HIV-1 specific, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that was FDA approved for treatment-experienced adult patients with HIV-1 strains resistant to an NNRTI and other antiretroviral agents. In phase 3 trials of etravirine versus placebo, both in combination with darunavir/ritonavir, a background of nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors with or without enfuvirtide demonstrated potent antiviral activity that was sustained through 48 weeks.
Read More
Gout: Overview and newer therapeutic developments
March 1st 2010The main objectives of gout therapy are to treat the acute attack, provide prophylaxis to prevent flares, and prevent complications associated with the deposition of urate crystals in tissues. Obesity, alcohol intake, and certain foods and medications can contribute to hyperuricemia and should be identified. Pharmacologic management remains the mainstay of treatment for chronic gout and acute attacks.
Read More