Going on Hiatus

October 8, 2011 — Marvin C Pankaskie

The editors of the Drug Information Forum will be on temporary hiatus while we re-evaluate the mission and content of the Forum. The Forum’s archives and specialty content will remain accessible to our readers and subscribers during this time and we invite you to contact us with suggestions for future content and focus. During this time, readers are invited to visit one of our sister sites at

http://www.thenewalchemist.com/feeds.html

There you will find links and postings from all the sources we use in providing information for our Forum readers along with information on building your own news feed applications using tools such as Google Reader, Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Firefox, and FeedDemon to name a few.

Thank you for your interest and support,

Marvin C. Pankaskie, Ph.D.
Editor-in-Chief

 

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Most Popular News Stories From Medscape Pharmacists

August 29, 2011 — Marvin C Pankaskie

Medscape News, a health news service sponsored by WebMD, posts its most popular list of news releases online from WebMDs’ various specialties, educational resources, news categories, and expert reviews. The list is updated daily and users can signup for free access to the site’s specialty newsletters. Users can also signup to have newsletters and alerts sent to them automatically by email.

Examples of recent “popular” articles posted include:

1. Updated Influenza Vaccine Recommendations Issued from Medscape Medical News
2. New Generation Antiepileptic Drugs from Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety
3. Blood Management: A Primer for Clinicians from Pharmacotherapy
4. Treating Acne Vulgaris: Systemic, Local and Combination Therapy from Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology
5. FDA Approves Combination Drug for Pediatric HCV Infection from Medscape Medical News
6. FDA Restricts Use of Simvastatin 80 mg from Heartwire
7. FDA Approves Brentuximab for Refractory Lymphomas from Medscape Medical News
8. New Initiative to Make Long-Term Opioid Use Safer from Medscape Medical News
9. ‘Bath Salts’ Have Effects Similar to Meth, Ecstasy from WebMD Health News
10. High-Dose Zinc Lozenges May Reduce Duration of Cold Symptoms from Medscape Medical News

For more information see:

http://www.medscape.com/mostpopular/profession/pharmacists/toprated

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Celexa (Citalopram Hydrobromide): Drug Safety Communication – Abnormal Heart Rhythms Associated With High Doses

August 26, 2011 — Marvin C Pankaskie

FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients that the antidepressant Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide) should no longer be used at doses greater than 40 mg per day because it can cause abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the heart. Changes in the electrical activity of the heart (prolongation of the QT interval of the electrocardiogram [ECG]) can lead to an abnormal heart rhythm (including Torsade de Pointes), which can be fatal. Patients at particular risk for developing prolongation of the QT interval include those with underlying heart conditions and those who are predisposed to low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood.

Studies did not show a benefit in the treatment of depression at doses higher than 40 mg per day. Previously, the citalopram drug label stated that certain patients may require a dose of 60 mg per day. The citalopram drug label has been revised to include the new drug dosage and usage recommendations, as well as information about the potential for QT interval prolongation and Torsade de Pointes. See the FDA Drug Safety Communication Data Summary for additional information.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm269481.htm

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Dark Chocolate May Lower Cholesterol

August 26, 2011 — Marvin C Pankaskie
A chocolate bar and melted chocolate. Chocolat...

A recent study suggests that consuming dark chocolate and cocoa products may lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad cholesterol”) and total cholesterol levels.

Cocoa and chocolate are derived from the cacao bean. Chocolate flavonoids, which are found in the highest amounts in dark chocolate, have been studied for a variety of potential health benefits.

Researchers analyzed 10 clinical trials with a total of 320 participants. Subjects in the trials were treated with coca from dark chocolate for 2-12 weeks.

After treatment with dark chocolate and cocoa products, trial participants in short-term studies experienced an average decrease in LDL of 5.9 milligrams per deciliter of blood and an average decrease in total cholesterol of 6.23 milligrams per deciliter of blood. No significant changes were found for high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good cholesterol”) or triglyceride levels.

Researchers found a greater benefit in cholesterol reduction in short-term treatment versus long-term studies. Though a benefit was seen in longer-duration trials, results were not significant. Authors also concluded that consuming dark chocolate was more effective than drinking cocoa beverages.

Though promising, additional research is needed. For more information about cocoa, please visit Natural Standard’s Foods, Herbs and Supplements database.

http://naturalstandard.com/news/news201108031.asp

Posted in Consumer Advice, Health Care News, Instructional. Tags: , , , , . 1 Comment »

FDA Says Cancer-Drug Shortage is Getting Worse

August 26, 2011 — Marvin C Pankaskie

Several cancer drugs are in low supply, preventing some breast and prostate cancer patients from getting needed treatment, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The shortage of cancer drugs, which has been on the rise since 2010, stems from several factors, according to Valerie Jensen, the associate director of the Drug Shortage Program at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in an interview with MSN. Those factors include problems at manufacturing plants, such as contamination; late delivery of raw materials; and misprints in drug labels and packaging.

MSN suggested that delayed inspections by the FDA after problems arise might also contribute to shortages, though Jensen disagreed.

On its Drug Shortages Website, the FDA writes that:

“These shortages occur for many reasons, including manufacturing and quality problems, delays, and discontinuations. FDA is aware that in 2010 there was a record number of shortages and in 2011 FDA has continued to see an increasing number of shortages, especially those involving older sterile injectable drugs”

http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2011/08/fda-says-cancer-drug-shortage-is-getting-worse.html

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My Cancer Genome

August 21, 2011 — Marvin C Pankaskie
Selection of notable mutations. References for...

Selection of Notable Mutations

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center has launched the nation’s first personalized cancer decision support tool, “My Cancer Genome,” to help physicians and researchers track the latest developments in personalized cancer medicine and connect with clinical research trials for their patients.

This web-based information tool is designed to quickly educate clinicians on the rapidly expanding list of genetic mutations that impact different cancers and, at the same time, enable them to more easily research various treatment options based on specific mutations.

My Cancer Genome is the latest addition to VICC’s Personalized Cancer Medicine Initiative, which was unveiled last year.

“Next-generation, or genetically informed cancer medicine, holds the promise of tailoring anti-cancer treatment according to individual patient tumor characteristics,” said William Pao, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Medicine and director of Personalized Cancer Medicine at VICC.

“Staying abreast of these fast-paced research changes may be difficult for time-pressed oncologists and medical caregivers. In particular, knowledge about rare variants found in cancers may be hard to track down, especially in busy clinics. We launched this web-based tool to enable a genetically informed approach to cancer medicine that we believe can be more efficient and effective.”

http://www.vicc.org/news/2011/03/vicc-launches-genetic-research-tool/

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3rd Annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Slated for October 29, 2011

July 28, 2011 — Marvin C Pankaskie
100925-N-3774A-003

The next Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will take place Saturday, October 29, 2011, from 10 AM to 2 PM, and will be the third event coordinated by DEA to help consumers safely dispose of unused, unneeded, and expired prescription medications, including controlled substances. More than 309 tons of pills were turned in at collection sites across the US during the first two DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days held September 25, 2011 and April 25, 2011, illustrating the continued need for a safe, convenient means for consumers to dispose of unwanted medications. Nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation partnered with DEA to provide take-back sites. Disposing of unwanted medications helps prevent the drugs from being misused, abused, or diverted from patient’s medicine cabinets. DEA will provide an online drug take-back site locator in the fall. More information about the upcoming DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is available on the DEA web site.

http://www.nabp.net/news/third-dea-national-prescription-drug-take-back-day-in-october/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NabpNewsroom+%28NABP+Newsroom%29

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