News

In a phase 3 trial, the investigational dihydropyridine calcium antagonist clevidipine demonstrated less pronounced perioperative blood pressure excursions compared with other intravenous antihypertensive agents in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Patients with pain related to fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) can experience a 50% reduction in pain if they are treated with pregabalin, according to results presented at the AAN's 59th annual meeting.

New research presented at the AAN's 59th annual meeting regarding strategies for treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

A single dose of ibuprofen provides better pain relief than acetaminophen or codeine for children requiring emergency treatment for musculoskeletal trauma, results of a randomized, controlled trial demonstrate.

Statins may reduce risk of hospitalization for sepsis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are receiving dialysis, according to a large cohort study.

When used to treat patients with ulcer bleeding, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) effectively reduce the risk of re-bleeding and the need for surgical intervention and repeated endoscopic treatment, according to a meta-analysis.

In a large, nested cohort study, use of inhaled corticosteroids at doses greater than 1,200 mcg/d was associated with a 61% reduction in the risk of developing lung cancer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Nausea and vomiting (emesis) are among the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy and are associated with significant clinical consequences. Four distinct types of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) have been described: acute, delayed, anticipatory, and breakthrough. Clinical practice guidelines provide specific recommendations for controlling the different types of CINV depending on the emetogenic potential of the chemotherapy regimen being used. Three classes of antiemetics are considered potent and well-tolerated options: 5-HT3 serotonin-receptor antagonists, corticosteroids, and neurokinin-1-receptor antagonists. Phenothiazines, butyrophenones, cannabinoids, metoclopramide, and benzodiazepines are also sometimes used to prevent CINV caused by minimally emetogenic chemotherapy or to treat breakthrough CINV. This article reviews the currently available antiemetic agents and clinical practice guidelines for the management of CINV.

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder that affects an estimated 1% of the population. This disorder may be treated with typical (first-generation) or atypical (second-generation) agents; a recognized concern regarding these agents is that long-term use has been associated with increased risks of serious side effects, either neurologic or metabolic in nature. Bifeprunox is a partial dopamine-receptor agonist under investigation for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia.If approved, bifeprunox may serve as an additional option for the acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia.

In a meta-analysis, inhaled corticosteroids were associated with a risk of oropharyngeal adverse events.

Briefs of FDA actions related to medication safety and reliability (ie, boxed warnings, dear healthcare provider letters)

Oral estrogen use in postmenopausal women may elevate the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE); however, the use of transdermal estrogen does not appear to increase the risk of VTE.

A new formulation for azithromycin, an antibacterial agent, is now approved by FDA for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Briefs of FDA actions/approvals of drugs, doses, and indications

First-time generic drug approvals: Zolpidem immediate-release; nimodipine

The latest FDA action (through June 2007) related to sipuleucel-T (Provenge), tramadol (CIP-Tramadol ER), isotretinoin (CIP-Isotretinoin), bazedoxifene (Viviant), irbesartan plus hydrochlorothiazide (Avalide), prednisolone 1.0% plus tobramycin 0.3% ophthalmic suspension (T-Pred), pixantrone, SPRC-AB01

Retapamulin ointment, 1% is now approved by FDA as an antibacterial agent for the topical treatment of impetigo due to Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes.

Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, is now approved by FDA for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

A review of agents in late-stage development for the treatment of epilepsy/seizures (June 2007).

A number of cost-evaluation studies have emerged showing consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) members use less care. Meanwhile, others suggest that members are less satisfied with these plans and that they tend to choose unwise ways of saving money, such as skipping preventive care.

The mother of a child suffering from asthma calls Medical Mutual of Ohio's Nurse Line desperately needing advice. The nurse listens to the mother's concern and is poised to tell her everything she needs to know, but instead, the mother is told that she is not covered for this particular service.

Antipsychotics are the fourth largest group of medications prescribed in the United States today, with a collective cost of approximately $10 billion. Newer, second-generation medications represent 90% of the current market, and they cost considerably more than older antipsychotics.

Physician financial incentives can be a powerful tool to motivate physicians to improve hospital-related practice patterns which can save health plans millions of dollars in reduced hospital costs.

At the center of the supply chain, health plans and their IT systems are uniquely positioned to guide the "retail market" interactions. To do so, however, health plans must rethink their traditional roles.

A number of cost-evaluation studies have emerged showing consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) members use less care. Meanwhile, others suggest that members are less satisfied with these plans and that they tend to choose unwise ways of saving money, such as skipping preventive care.

When it comes to Medicare plans, managed care executives must find a way to increase value, say industry watchers.

As healthcare stakeholders weave their way toward the President's vision of providing every American with an electronic medical record by the year 2014, a growing number are taking the intermediate step of creating personal health records (PHRs).

Worldwide, 388 million people will die from chronic diseases in the next 10 years. Chronic diseases account for about 75% of all healthcare costs. Clearly, disease management and prevention is sorely needed, but it's been a struggle to change the behaviors of large groups of people. A number of programs are finding success using non-traditional methods.

Medicaid has to evolve into a delivery model that takes into account the uniqueness of each individual-both their specific health status, and issues outside of the traditional healthcare system, such as transportation, living conditions and substance abuse problems, according to insight from Newt Gingrich, founder of the Center for Health Transformation (CHT) and Rishabh Mehrotra, president and CEO of SHPS, a provider of health advocacy and health benefits solutions.

Every morning, Mark Wagar, president of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, walks more than a mile through Manhattan to his office on 42nd Street. It's a city of great diversity and that fact that isn't lost on him, especially considering that one in four New Yorkers is an Empire member.