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All News - Page 156
NLA to kick off familial hypercholesterolemia awareness campaign
May 13, 2011
The National Lipid Association is kicking off a public health campaign about familial hypercholesterolemia on May 18. The start of the campaign, ?FH: It?s Relative?Know Your Family Cholesterol History,? coincides with NLA?s Annual Scientific Sessions in New York City.
Bile acid sequestrants show potential in children with familial hypercholesterolemia
May 13, 2011
The lipid-lowering efficacy and tolerability of bile acid sequestrants suggest that these agents have potential in pediatric patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, according to a recent literature review from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.
AHA updates CVD prevention guidelines for women
May 13, 2011
The American Heart Association recently released its updated cardiovascular disease prevention guidelines for women. The guidelines emphasize practical medical advice that works in the "real world" rather than on findings primarily observed in clinical research.
Ranibizumab and bevacizumab have equivalent effect on neovascular AMD
May 13, 2011
Two of the most commonly used treatments for neovascular AMD, ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech), approved in 2006 by FDA, and the other commonly used ?off-label,? bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech), resulted in similar improvements in visual acuity, according to a new randomized controlled trial published in NEJM.
FDA issues false claims warning to manufacturers of hand sanitizers
May 13, 2011
FDA recently issued warning letters to companies that manufacture and market over-the-counter products, including hand sanitizers, that claim to prevent infection from methicillin-resistant Staphylocococcus aureus.
Late-breaking news: FDA approves new treatment for rare type of pancreatic cancer
May 6, 2011
FDA has approved everolimus (Afinitor, Novartis) tablets to treat patients with progressive neuroendocrine tumors of pancreatic origin that cannot be removed by surgery or that have spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).
AMCP names 4 new members to board
May 6, 2011
The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy recently installed 4 new members to its board of directors. The new board members were sworn in April 29 at AMCP?s 23rd Annual Meeting & Showcase in Minneapolis.
Consider ER oxymorphone in patients with chronic low back pain, comorbidities
May 6, 2011
In patients with chronic low back pain with comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, extended-release oxymorphone (Opana ER, Endo Pharmaceuticals) may be a safe and effective alternative, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, National Harbor, Md.
Long-term combo naproxen/esomeprazole safe, effective
May 6, 2011
No new or unexpected safety issues occurred during long-term treatment with a fixed-dose combination of naproxen and esomeprazole magnesium (Vimovo) in patients at risk of NSAID-associated upper gastrointestinal ulcers, according to data presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, National Harbor, Md.
FDA approves Zytiga for late-stage prostate cancer
May 6, 2011
FDA has approved abiraterone acetate (Zytiga, Centocor Ortho Biotech), an oral, once-daily medication for use in combination with prednisone for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have received prior chemotherapy containing docetaxel.
Low A1C level linked to higher risk of mortality in elderly
May 6, 2011
Hemoglobin A1c levels below 6% are associated with a small but significant increased risk of mortality in elderly patients, according to a retrospective cohort study published online in Diabetes Care.
FDA approves first meningococcal vaccine for infants and toddlers
May 6, 2011
FDA approved the use of meningococcal (A, C, Y, W-135) polysaccharide diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine (Menactra, Sanofi Pasteur) in children aged as young as 9 months for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135.
Opioid-related mortality associated with daily dose for nonmalignant pain
May 6, 2011
A daily dose of opioids for nonmalignant pain is strongly associated with opioid-related mortality, and doses of 200 mg or more of morphine or equivalent are associated with a particularly high risk, according to a recent study published in the April issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
FDA approves new treatment for type 2 diabetes
May 6, 2011
FDA approved linagliptin (Tradjenta, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly) tablets, used with diet and exercise, to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Formulary Digital Edition May 2011
May 1, 2011
A review of systemic lupus erythematosus and current treatment options; Focus on bazedoxefine; Agents in late-stage development for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder
Drug Watch: Major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (PDF) (May 2011)
May 1, 2011
Agents in late-stage development of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
PPI's efficacy and safety questioned for pediatric GERD
May 1, 2011
The effectiveness and safety of proton pump inhibitors for pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease are far from proven, according to a new systematic review.
A review of systemic lupus erythematosus and current treatment options
May 1, 2011
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multi-organ, autoimmune inflammatory disease. The annual incidence of SLE in the United States ranges from 2.0 to 7.6 cases per 100,000 persons per year. This review examines the clinical course of SLE, various treatment options, and the treatment of specific manifestations of the disease such as lupus nephritis.
FDA cautions prescribers of risk for severe immune-mediated adverse reactions with ipilimumab use
May 1, 2011
The FDA has released a safety communication alerting healthcare providers to a new risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for ipilimumab.
FDA Actions in Brief May 2011 (Actemra, Menactra, Zytiga, Rituxan, Invega, Vandetanib, Viramune XR, Horizant)
May 1, 2011
Recent FDA Approvals (through April 2011) related to Actemra, Menactra, Zytiga, Rituxan, Invega, Vandetanib, Viramune XR, Horizant
FDA, NIH, pharma companies seek new strategies to spur drug development
May 1, 2011
Drug devleopment pipelines have shrunk; fewer new products are being approved for market; and pharma companies are scaling back R&D as patent expirations on blockbuster drugs reduce industry revenues.
FDA Pipeline Preview, May 2011 (Eli Lilly, Vertex, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Nile Therapeutics, Provectus)
May 1, 2011
Recent FDA action (through April 2011) related to Liprotamase, Aricept Patch, Telaprevir, Restylane Injectable Gel, VEGF Trap-Eye, Cenderitide, PV-10, INNO-206
Bazedoxifene: An investigational selective estrogen receptor modulator for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
May 1, 2011
A new selective estrogen receptor modulator, bazedoxifene acetate, is currently under development in an effort to maximize potential benefits on bone, lipids and breast tissue while minimizing endometrial hyperplasia and other adverse effects.
New treatment guidelines strongly endorse use of biologic agents for many children with arthritis refractory to methotrexate
May 1, 2011
The American College of Rheumatology has developed new guidelines for starting and monitoring treatments for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Roflumilast oral treatment (Daliresp): Treatment to reduce COPD exacerbations in patients with severe COPD associated with chronic bronchitis
May 1, 2011
New molecular entity: Roflumilast oral treatment was approved by FDA as treatment to reduce risk of COPD exacerbations.
Genetic targets help alcohol addiction, study finds
May 1, 2011
Alcoholics who are tested for genotype specificity prior to receiving ondansetron may have significantly improved outcomes, according to new research.
Shorter treatment for hepatitis C virus may be possible with protease inhibitor
May 1, 2011
Analysis of the hepatitis C virus kinetics during treatment with protease inhibitor telaprevir shows a rapid decline, according to a new study.
First-time generic approval May 2011
May 1, 2011
Generic drug approved by FDA (through May 2011): Latanoprost
Azilsartan medoxomil tablets (Edarbi): Tablets for the treatment of hypertension alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents
May 1, 2011
New molecular entity: Azilsartan medoxomil tablets are selective AT1 subtype angiotensin receptor antagonists that were approved by FDA to lower blood pressure.
Formulary Digital Edition May 2011
May 1, 2011
A review of systemic lupus erythematosus and current treatment options; Bazedoxifene: An investigational selective estrogen receptor modulator for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women; Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder
