June 17th 2021
The COX-2 inhibitor Anjeso, a faster-acting injectable formulation of meloxicam, reduces opioid use after surgery.
November 18th 2014
June 13th 2013
June 12th 2013
Immunization update: A 2011 retrospective on product changes and new recommendations
February 1st 2012Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements of biomedical science and public health. Proper vaccination plays a critical role in the reduction of vaccine-preventable disease and related morbidity and mortality.
Most would reserve rivaroxaban as second-line therapy for patients with chronic atrial fibrillation
February 1st 2012Respondents to a Formulary readers' poll would reserve the use of newly approved rivaroxaban (Xarelto, Janssen) for the management of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) to those patients who have contraindications to warfarin, had unmanageable side effects to warfarin, or in whom warfarin was ineffective.
Hospital-acquired C. difficile lengthens hospital stay, retrospective study shows
February 1st 2012Hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile significantly prolongs the duration of a patient's stay in the hospital by at least 6 days, according to the findings of a study published online December 5, for the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Romiplostim induces rapid platelet response in adult patients with immune thrombocytopenia
February 1st 2012Romiplostim (Nplate, Amgen), a synthetic protein that binds to and stimulates the thrombopoietin receptor, induced a rapid platelet response in most adult patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who had low platelet counts or bleeding symptoms, regardless of splenectomy status.
FDA: Doribax trial halted for increase in death rate, poor clinical cure rate
January 27th 2012FDA recently announced that a clinical trial evaluating the effects of doripenem (Doribax, Janssen) on the treatment of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia was halted because of an increase in death rate and a poor clinical cure rate.
Study raises questions about aspirin as primary prevention for CVD
January 27th 2012Aspirin prophylaxis in people without prior cardiovascular disease does not appear to reduce cardiovascular death or cancer mortality, according to the results of a meta-analysis published online January 9 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Study offers benchmark for VTE risk after joint replacement; follow-up needed
January 27th 2012Approximately 1 in 100 patients undergoing total or partial knee replacement surgery and 1 in 200 patients undergoing total or partial hip replacement surgery will experience a venous thromboembolism event, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, before being discharged from the hospital, according to a new study.
New guidelines recommend blood-glucose testing for all hospitalized patients
January 27th 2012The Endocrine Society recently released new clinical practice guidelines recommending that all patients have their blood-glucose levels tested upon admission to the hospital, even if they haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes.
Study: BP increase at middle age may indicate lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease
January 13th 2012Individuals who are able to maintain or decrease their blood pressure (BP) to normal levels during middle age have the lowest lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease. In contrast, individuals who experience an increase in BP have higher lifetime risks, according to a study published in Circulation.
McNeil recalls some Motrin products from retailers
January 13th 2012FDA announced in late December that McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNeil is voluntarily recalling certain lots of Motrin IB 24-count coated caplets, Motrin IB 24-count coated tablets, and Motrin IB 24+6-count coated caplets from retailers.
Budget crunch, political battles shape 2012 policy agenda
January 1st 2012Election-year politics will color a range of legislative and policy developments affecting drug development, production, and reimbursement in the coming year, as efforts to reduce government spending on healthcare prompts all parties to search for opportunities to do more with less. Looming over the political landscape is the upcoming Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of the Obama health reform legislation.
Almost half of new molecular entities approved in 2011 considered significant therapeutic advances
January 1st 2012New molecular entities (NMEs) for calendar year 2011 number 30, considerably above the average of 23 during the past 10 years. Notably among this list are 8 drugs for cancer; 10 targeting orphan diseases; 2 each for hepatitis C and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); and 3 anticoagulants.
American Heart Association: Rivaroxaban lowers risks in patients with acute coronary syndrome
January 1st 2012The oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban lowered the risk of death, heart attack, and stroke in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2011 in Orlando, Fla., in mid-November.