FDA has approved an expanded age indication for Zoster Vaccine Live, (Zostavax, Merck) for the prevention of herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, in adults ages 50 years and older.
FDA has approved an expanded age indication for Zoster Vaccine Live, (Zostavax, Merck) for the prevention of herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, in adults aged 50 years and older. Zostavax was first approved in May 2006 for the prevention of shingles in individuals aged 60 years and older.
In a multicenter study of approximately 22,000 people conducted in the United States and 4 other countries, Zostavax significantly reduced the risk of developing shingles by nearly 70% in adults ages 50 to 59, compared with placebo. The most common side effects observed in the study were redness, pain, and swelling at the site of injection, and headache.
Zostavax is the only shingles vaccine licensed for use in the United States.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 3 people will experience shingles in their lifetime and nearly 1 million cases of shingles occur each year. The incidence and severity of shingles increase with age. Once a person has had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus stays inside the body and can resurface later as shingles.
Zostavax is not indicated for the treatment of shingles or postherpetic neuralgia, or for the prevention of chickenpox. Zostavax is contraindicated for individuals who are allergic to any of its ingredients, including gelatin or neomycin; have a weakened immune system; or take high doses of steroids. It is also contraindicated for individuals who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Vaccination with Zostavax may not result in protection of all vaccine recipients.
Zostavax is currently on back order. Merck will continue to release doses of Zostavax as supply becomes available, but as inventory is building, back orders will still occur. Timely information about the shipping schedule for Zostavax can be found at MerckVaccines.com.
Coalition promotes important acetaminophen dosing reminders
November 18th 2014It may come as a surprise that each year Americans catch approximately 1 billion colds, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 20% get the flu. This cold and flu season, 7 in 10 patients will reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to treat their coughs, stuffy noses, and sniffles. It’s an important time of the year to remind patients to double check their medicine labels so they don’t double up on medicines containing acetaminophen.
Support consumer access to specialty medications through value-based insurance design
June 30th 2014The driving force behind consumer cost-sharing provisions for specialty medications is the acquisition cost and not clinical value. This appears to be true for almost all public and private health plans, says a new report from researchers at the University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID Center) and the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC).
Management of antipsychotic medication polypharmacy
June 13th 2013Within our healthcare-driven society, the increase in the identification and diagnosis of mental illnesses has led to a proportional increase in the prescribing of psychotropic medications. The prevalence of mental illnesses and subsequent treatment approaches may employ monotherapy as first-line treatment, but in many cases the use of combination of therapy can occur, leading to polypharmacy.1 Polypharmacy can be defined in several ways but it generally recognized as the use of multiple medications by one patient and the most common definition is the concurrent use of five more medications. The presence of polyharmacy has the potential to contribute to non-compliance, drug-drug interactions, medication errors, adverse events, or poor quality of life.
Medical innovation improves outcomes
June 12th 2013I have been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the pancreas, a disease that’s long been considered not just incurable, but almost impossible to treat-a recalcitrant disease that some practitioners feel has given oncology a bad name. I was told my life would be measured in weeks.