Metformin effective, safe in type 2 diabetes patients, regardless of renal function
October 8th 2012Metformin is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and can be used in patients with varying degrees of renal impairment, according to a long-term observational study that was published online in the British Medical Journal.
Most U.S. adults favor immunization, yet 40% need more vaccination information, survey says
October 5th 2012Most adults – 71% – believe it's important to be up-to-date on immunizations to be healthy, but that isn't reflected in the number of adults who actually get vaccinated, according to a new Walgreens Immunization Index study.
CDC issues advisory about meningitis outbreak from contaminated steroids
October 5th 2012The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA are jointly investigating a meningitis outbreak that has affected approximately 35 people in six states so far. Five patients have died and 30 are ill after receiving an epidural steroid injection contaminated by fungus, according to a report issued from CDC yesterday.
Biologics for RA treatment don't increase cancer risk
October 4th 2012Biologic response modifiers developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis do not appear to be associated with an increased risk of cancer, according to a study published September 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
How long should beta-blockers be used in CAD patients?
October 3rd 2012While beta-blocker use continues to be the standard of care for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), especially for those patients who have had a myocardial infarction (MI), these drugs may not be effective long term, according to an online report published Oct. 3 in JAMA.
Acellular pertussis vaccine may not provide long-lasting immunity
October 2nd 2012The acellular pertussis vaccine that was introduced in the 1990s may not offer long-lasting protection against whooping cough in immunized children after the fifth dose, according to a case-control study published September 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Methamphetamine, heroin users have similar risk for dental disease
October 2nd 2012Long-term users of methamphetamine compared with heroin users in an urban setting had a high prevalence of dental disease, much higher than the general U.S. population, according to a small cross-sectional study published September 1 in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
Survey: Young adult Rx drug abuse declines, but illicit drug use remains steady
September 27th 2012Fewer 18- to 25-year-olds are abusing prescription drugs, but illicit drug use stays constant, according to results from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), sponsored by U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).