Tadalafil (Cialis) was recently deemed approvable for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). When approved, it will join the widely used PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil citrate as an oral therapy for ED management. Among tadalafil?s characteristics are its rapid onset of action, a duration of action of up to 24 hours, and lack of food influence on the drug?s pharmacokinetics. In this Focus article, the pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, and therapeutic aspects of tadalafil are reviewed and compared, when possible, with sildenafil and another investigational agent, vardenafil.
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).