In October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Ivermectin, marketed as Sklice, to treat headlice. Over-the-counter availability of this product greatly increases treatment options for head lice. Offering treatment without requiring a doctor’s visit or prescription will help limit this highly contagious parasite spread. Sklice is a simple, one-dose treatment and is suitable for […]
FDA Approves OTC Lice Treatment Read More »
Researchers at John Hopkins University found that adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) who received long-term opioid treatment for pain often had more pain and fatigue than those not on long-term opioid treatment. Records of 83 adults (29 on long-term opioid therapy, 54 not taking opioids) with SCD who filled out daily electronic pain diaries
Sickle Cell and Long Term Opioids Read More »
To address widespread concerns about testosterone therapy (TT) for testosterone deficiency (TD), international experts at a consensus conference developed a set of resolutions and conclusions for physicians and patients. After examining the best available scientific evidence, the participants agreed unanimously the TD is a clinical signficant condition that may benefit from treatment, with or without
No Scientific Support for Suggested Risks of Testosterone Therapy Read More »
A retrospective study conducted at Stanford University School of Medicine suggests that prostate cancer patients who are treated with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) are twice as likely as those who are not treated with these testosterone-lowering drugs to develop dementia within 5 years. Clinical data from Stanford on nearly 10,000 patients with prostate cancer were examined,
ADT Prostate Cancer Treatment Linked to Dementia Read More »
Fourteen dozen common gene variants that appear to have robust links to menopausal hot flashes have been discovered by researchers at the University of California – Los Angeles. These gene variants affect a receptor (tachykinin receptor 3) in the brain that controls the release of estrogen and is present in women of all ethnicities. Women’s
Hot Flashes in Menopause May Have Genetic Component Read More »
The risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) may be increased by a history of gallstone disease, researchers at Tulane University have concluded. Gallstone disease, one of the most common and costly gastrointestinal disorders in the United States, has similar risk factors as coronary heart disease, including diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and poor
Gallstone Disease May Increase Risk Of Heart Disease Read More »
The drug Abaloparatide was found to significantly reduce the risk of new vertebral and nonvertebral fractures among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis after 18 months of daily injections in a multicountry, randomized trial led by the Colorado Center for Bone Research. 1,901 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis received active treatment or placebo for 18 months. New vertebral fractures accurred less often
Abaloparatide Reduces Risk in Women with Osteoporosis Read More »
Contrary to earlier reports, giving acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.) for pain and fever does not worsen asthma in children, according to a multicenter, randomized, prospective trial conducted by Boston Children’s Hospital. The study enrolled 300 children 1 to 5 years old with mild, persistent asthma. Their families were randomized to use either acetaminophen or ibuprofen as
Study Disproves Acetaminophen Danger For Kids With Asthma Read More »
Some older women who take calcium supplements commonly recommended to ward off age-related bone damage may face a greater dementia risk , according to a 5-year study of 700 women aged 70 to 92 years. The heightened dementia risk appears limited to women who have had a stroke or suffer from cerebrovascular disease & disorders that
Calcium Supplements Linked To Increased Risk Of Dementia In Women Read More »
The FDA has approved two biosimilars for the treatment of multiple inflammatory diseases, Erelzi (etanercept, Amgen), and Amjevita (adalimumab-atto, Amgen), a biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab, AbbVie). “The biosimilar pathway is an important mechanism to improve access to treatment for patients with rheumatic and autoimmune diseases.” said Janet Woodcock, MD, director of the FDA’s Center for
FDA Approves Two Biosimilars for Inflammatory Diseases: Erelzi and Amjevita Read More »
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval for the first drug to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the most common type of muscular dystrophy. DMD is a rare gentic disorder characterized by progressive muscle deterioration and weakness. Exondys 51, also known generically as eteplirsen, is specifically indicated for patients who have a
First Drug To Treat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Approved Read More »
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a public warning about the health and safety risks of carfentanil, a powerful opioid that is sold as and mistaken for Heroin. This synthetic opioid is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which itself is 50 times more potent than heroin.
DEA Issues Warning On Synthetic Opioid Carfentanil Read More »
Health officials from the CDC and the Hawaii State Department of Public Health have identified the first cluster of gonorrhea infections in the United States to show resistance to available antibiotics. Gonococcal isolates taken last spring from seven patients in Honolulu showed resistance to azithromycin at dramatically higher levels than typically seen in the US.
Aggressive Strain Of Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea Sparks Concern In America Read More »
The US Food & Drug Administration’s Arthritis Advisory Committee has made a unanimous decision in favor of licensing Amgen’s biosimilar version of AbbVie’s adalimumab (Humira), ABP 501. The blockbuster biologic Humira is approved for the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis. While pricing data aren’t yet available, putting
Amgen’s Less Expensive Humira Backed by FDA Panel Read More »
According to data presented at the AIDS 2016 conference, the dapivirine vaginal ring can significantly reduce the transmission of HIV infection in women. After two large clinical trials were conducted and analysed in Africa, researchers found that HIV risk was cut by at least 56% in women who used the monthly ring consistently. Additional subgroup
New Dapivirine Vaginal Ring Provides Protection Against HIV Read More »
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Differin Gel 0.1% (adapalene), a once-daily topical gel for the over-the-counter (OTC) treatment of acne. For years, the only acne medications approved by the FDA for OTC use have been benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur. Differin gel works better and faster than any retinol and is
Differin Gel Acne Medication Is Now Available Over-the-Counter Read More »
Did you know that baby boomers, adults born between 1946 and 1964, are five times more likely to have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus (HCV)? Hepatitis C can cause serious health issues such as liver damage, liver fancer, cirrhosis and even death. It is the leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplants.
ATTENTION ALL BABY BOOMERS! Why YOU Should Get Tested For Hepatitis C Read More »
Prescription insurers such as CVS Caremark and Express Scripts are increasingly taking drugs off of their lists of approved medications, NPR.org has reported. CVS Caremark and Express Scripts, the biggest prescription insurers, have made their lists of approved and excluded medications for 2017 open to the public. Some of the excluded drugs include those that
Prescription Drugs Increasingly Excluded From Insurance Coverage Read More »
