Consensus statement lowers BP goals in blacks to manage hypertension
November 16th 2010An updated consensus statement on the management of hypertension among African Americans places significant emphasis on a comprehensive assessment and appropriate risk stratification of individual patients with hypertension, stated a report published online October 4 in Hypertension, HealthDay News reported.
Buprenorphine implants reduce opioid use of opioid-dependent patients
November 16th 2010In a new randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in the October 13, 2010 Journal of the American Medical Association, trial investigators demonstrated that the use of buprenorphine implants (Probuphine, Titan Pharmaceuticals) could reduce opioid use over a 24-week study period.
DECISIONS survey study: Americans often make medication decisions without being well-informed
November 16th 2010According to the findings of the DECISIONS survey study published in a September/October supplement of Medical Decision Making, Americans frequently find themselves faced with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and depression medication decisions that they are ill prepared to make.
Studies show impact of doctor-pharmacist collaboration
November 16th 2010According to the findings of the DECISIONS survey study published in a September/October supplement of Medical Decision Making, Americans frequently find themselves faced with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and depression medication decisions that they are ill prepared to make.
Kombiglyze XR tablets approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults
November 8th 2010FDA has approved saxagliptin and metformin extended-release (XR) (Kombiglyze XR, AstraZeneca/Bristol-Myers Squibb) tablets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. Kombiglyze XR is the first and only once-a-day metformin XR plus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor combination tablet offering strong glycemic control across glycosylated hemoglobin levels, fasting plasma glucose, and postprandial glucose.
First IV formulation for acetaminophen approved
November 3rd 2010FDA has approved acetaminophen injection (Ofirmev, Cadence Pharmaceuticals), the first intravenous (IV) formulation of acetaminophen for the management of mild-to-moderate pain, moderate-to severe-pain with adjunctive opioid analgesics, and the reduction of fever.
FDA issues complete response letter for lorcaserin
October 25th 2010FDA has issued a complete response letter (CRL) for lorcaserin's (Arena and Eisai) New Drug Application. Lorcaserin is intended for weight management, including weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, in some patients who are obese or patients who are overweight and have at least 1 weight-related co-morbid condition.
FDA approves Botox for chronic migraine
October 22nd 2010OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox, Allergan) has been approved by FDA as prophylactic treatment of headaches in adults with chronic migraine. It is the first clinically studied prophylactic treatment to receive FDA approval specifically for this debilitated patient population.
FDA approves first once-daily eyedrop for inflammation and pain after cataract surgery
October 21st 2010Bromfenac ophthalmic solution (Bromday, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) 0.09% has been granted FDA approval as a once-daily prescription eyedrop for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in patients who have undergone cataract extraction.