The use of atypical antipsychotics in patients with major depressive disorder who have not responded to antidepressant therapy substantially increased clinical response rates at 6 weeks; however the drugs are also much more costly, according to the results of an analysis published in the May issue of The Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
The multiple sclerosis drug fingolimod (Gilenya, Novartis) is now contraindicated for use in patients with certain pre-existing or recent heart conditions or stroke, or who are taking certain antiarrhythmic medications, according to FDA
Taking probiotics during a course of antibiotics reduces the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, according to the results of a study published May 9 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Youth diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may require a combination treatment or insulin therapy within a few years after diagnosis, according to a study published online April 29 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Bariatric surgery plus medical therapy may be a useful strategy for managing uncontrolled diabetes, according to the results of a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis were at twice the risk of infection compared with children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to a study published May 1 in Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Current use of warfarin as a stroke prevention therapy in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is associated with a lower rate of residual stroke or systemic embolism compared with previous data, according to a recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
New molecular entity: FDA approved Ivacaftor, a treatment of cystic fibrosis for patients with a G551D mutation in the CFTR gene
A recent study indicated that publicly reporting quality data to CMS has not lead to a reduction in mortality.
With the aging of the US population, elective total hip and knee replacement operations have become more prevalent, and costs to the healthcare system for these procedures are increasing rapidly. This includes costs related to treatment of venous thromboembolism, which may be a consequence of these operations if appropriate postoperative thromboprophylaxis is not administered.
Recent FDA action (through April 2012) related to, Dihydroergotamine, Levadex inhalation aerosol, droxidopa, Northera, Amitriptyline 4% ketamine 2% cream, AmiKet, Afilbercept, ZALTRAP, Nav rAAV8 vector, Carbamazepine, Carbatrol, Vancomycin hydrochloride, Vancocin, Irbesartan, irbesartan-hydrochloriderothiazide, Avapro, Avalide, Fluvastatin, Lescol
Drospirenone-containing birth control pills may be associated with a higher risk for blood clots than other progestin-containing pills, according to recent FDA observational (epidemiologic) studies.
Patients with coronary heart disease who used statins were at a decreased risk of depression; whether there is a cause-and effect relationship, however, merits further research, according to a study published online February 21 in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
Apixiban (Eliquis) is an orally active factor Xa inhibitor. Its manufacturers are seeking FDA approval to market apixaban to reduce risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular AF (NVAF).
New formulation: FDA approved Exenatide extended-release, a once-weekly treatment (along with diet and exercise) to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiple clinical settings
Recent FDA Approvals (through April 2012) related to (Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Affymax, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Avioq, Hope Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk, Avid Radiopharmaceuticals)
A report for the American College of Cardiology's Scientific Session & Expo
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and ACPE providers have teamed up to create the CPE Monitor. This new system will allow for the electronic transmission of continuing pharmacy education data.
FDA has issued a safety alert, warning patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals about the dangers of accidental exposure to and improper storage and disposal of fentanyl patches.
As many as 80% of patients who are candidates for preventive treatments for migraine headaches could be helped by these treatments, the author of new guidelines issued by the American Academy of Neurology told Formulary.
Twice-daily dabigatran etexilate mesylate (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim) was shown to be associated with lower rates of fatal and traumatic intracranial hemorrhage compared with warfarin, according to the results of a retrospective subanalysis published online, April 5, in Stroke, the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Congressional approval of the bipartisan Generic Drug and Biosimilars User Fee Act could eliminate 90% of the backlog of Abbreviated New Drug Applications by 2017, FDA official Russell Wesdyk, BS, MBA, said in a presentation last month.
FDA?s approval (April 10) of generic versions of ViroPharma?s antibiotic Vancocin (vancomycin hydrochloride) for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, has some industry experts wondering if FDA is trying to speed up the availability of generics or politically favor new company competition in select areas of therapy.
FDA has approved insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection (Levemir, Novo Nordisk) pregnancy Category B classification, indicating that when used in pregnant women with diabetes, the injection did not increase the risk of harm to the unborn baby.
Fibromyalgia patients taking pregabalin had significant improvements in sleep and decreased daily pain, according to a new study published in the April 2012 issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
