A study found that drospirenone-containing oral birth control pills are associated with a significantly increased risk of venous thrombotic events, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Risk was highest in the early months of use and was also influenced by factors such as age, high blood pressure, and obesity.
A study found that varenicline (Chantix) is associated with a substantially increased risk of reported depression or suicidal behavior compared to other smoking-cessation treatments. The researchers identified 90% of all reported suicides related to smoking cessation drugs since 1998 implicated varenicline.
A new treatment for severe hemophilia A patients with inhibitors has been shown to be highly effective in preventing bleeding events. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that FEIBA infused three times a week resulted in a 62% reduction in all bleeding events and a 72% reduction in target joint bleeding.
The Common Drug Review introduced in 2003 standardized the process for public drug plans, covering 39% of Canada's $31 billion in forecasted drug costs. The review led to a significant decrease in drug listings, with smaller provinces experiencing earlier access to new drugs.
A pilot study found that nearly 30% of US homes with young children store acetaminophen products unsafely, with most homes containing expired medications. The study suggests that proper storage is crucial to prevent unintentional poisonings, particularly in homes with young children.
A new analysis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) found that naproxen and low-dose ibuprofen have a lower risk of cardiovascular events. In contrast, diclofenac increases the risk, even at non-prescription doses.
Substitution of brand name immunosuppressive drug with a generic drug appears to be safe for transplant recipients. The study reveals that this change can lead to significant cost savings through long-term use of the generic product.
A US study found that many Americans believe only highly effective drugs without serious side effects are approved. Brief explanations to patients about drug benefits and harms uncertainties can help them make better choices. The FDA does not guarantee a large or important benefit from a drug or that all serious adverse effects are known.
A University of Leeds investigation found that many over-the-counter herbal remedies are missing crucial safety information, despite new EU regulations. The study evaluated 68 products from various stores and pharmacies, revealing 93% were unlicensed and lacking comprehensive warnings.
Research reveals that over-the-counter herbal products often fail to provide essential safety information, putting users at risk of adverse effects and interactions with other drugs. The study found that nearly all products were unlicensed and marketed as food supplements, highlighting the need for reliable information and regulation.
Researchers advocate for expanded EHR use to address medical errors and improve care quality. Implementing Joint Commission's 2011 National Patient Safety Goals into EHR criteria can help fast-track the use of EHRs for patient safety.
A Pew Charitable Trusts study reveals serious gaps in US drug safety oversight, with 40% of finished drugs sourced from overseas. The report identifies links in the supply chain that need strengthening to ensure safe medicines.
Michigan State University researchers are reformulating a decades-old drug to combat two debilitating tropical diseases. The goal is to develop a safe and effective treatment for filarial diseases, which affect millions worldwide. With clinical trials expected to begin in about two years, the team hopes to bring hope to those affected ...
A new study found that varenicline, marketed as Chantix, significantly increases the risk of hospitalization due to serious cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and arrhythmias. The study, published in CMAJ, suggests that clinicians should carefully weigh the benefits against the risks.
A national survey found that 1 in 20 Australian workers use alcohol or drugs while on the job. The most commonly used workplace drug was alcohol, followed by painkillers and amphetamines. Despite this, many workers underestimate the negative impact of substance use on workplace safety.
A new study found that US Medicaid's Preferred Drug Lists vary widely from state to state, ignoring international guidelines for safe and effective medications. The WHO Essential Medicines List is not used as a basis for state lists, resulting in patients receiving more expensive and less effective treatments.
A new study suggests that people using mist inhalers to deliver the commonly prescribed COPD medication tiotropium may be 52% more likely to die. The findings raise concerns not only about the device but also about the drug itself, particularly its potential link to cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that alemtuzumab is as safe and effective as basiliximab or antithymocyte globulin in preventing organ rejection after kidney transplant. The study's results suggest that the less expensive drug option could lead to cost savings without compromising patient outcomes.
A large Danish study found no significant association between prenatal use of newer-generation antiepileptic drugs and major birth defects. The study included data on over 837,000 infants and compared their birth defect rates with those exposed to older-generation antiepileptic drugs.
A new UTHealth trial aims to help pregnant women quit smoking by testing the safety and efficacy of bupropion, a medication that has been shown to almost double the success rate of smoking cessation in nonpregnant smokers. Pregnant women who smoke are at risk for premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, and infant mortality.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal advocates for reforming Canada's outdated food and drugs act to ensure new and old medications are safe and effective. The proposed reforms include increased evidence gathering, monitoring, progressive licensing, and modernizing legislation.
A new study by University of British Columbia researcher Mahyar Etminan found that newer oral contraceptive drospirenone carries a similar risk of gall bladder disease compared to older birth-control pills. The study analyzed data from 2.7 million U.S. women using oral contraceptives over 18 months.
A University of Missouri chemist has discovered a method for manufacturing certain pharmaceutical drugs using pressurized carbon dioxide at room temperature. This new approach could streamline production processes and reduce the need for expensive and time-consuming methods currently used in the industry.
Medications like Vioxx, Bextra, and Avandia increase heart attack and stroke risk due to fluid retention. The study suggests the FDA should require verification of cardiovascular safety for all medications causing fluid retention.
A systematic review found that biologic drugs used to treat arthritis may have rare but serious side effects, including increased risk of infections and cancer. The study analyzed data from 163 studies involving over 50,000 patients, highlighting the importance of comparative safety research.
A pharmacist-directed anticoagulation service improved the management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in patients. Patients treated by the service responded to alternative anticoagulant drugs three times faster, and were 32% more likely to receive proper dosing.
A study found that 15 out of 20 drug classes had inconsistent black box warnings, with some warnings missing from all drugs in the same class. The researchers argue for a more transparent and systematic approach to label design.
The study highlights the risk of dosing errors in pediatric medication, particularly with potent narcotics and sedatives. Researchers found that over a quarter of children studied experienced errors resulting from small volume stock solutions.
A recent study from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that aggressively marketed drugs tend to offer less benefit and more harm to most patients. The 'inverse benefit law' highlights the need for physicians to critically evaluate commercial marketing and prioritize patient safety.
A commentary highlights the shortcomings of Canada's current drug surveillance system, citing the off-label use of recombinant activated factor 7 (rFVIIa) as a case in point. The authors emphasize the need for improved collaboration between payers, insurers, and manufacturers to ensure safe monitoring of high-risk drugs.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that many prescriptions for atypical antipsychotic medications lack strong evidence, yet these drugs can cause serious side effects like weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. The study also identified a significant amount of off-label use, with $6 billion spent on such prescriptions in 2008.
Researchers created a model predicting a drug's likelihood of causing birth defects by analyzing genes targeted by the medication. The model showed 79% accuracy in classifying drugs as safe or known to be teratogenic.
A study using the MEADERS (Medication Error and Adverse Drug Event Reporting System) system found that communication problems and lack of knowledge are leading causes of medication errors, with cardiovascular medications being the most commonly associated. The system has been successful in reducing harm to patients, documenting 11% of ...
A new drug treatment, tribendimidine, has shown promising activity against Opisthorchis viverrini infection, with a cure rate of 70% and almost complete egg elimination. The study suggests that tribendimidine is as safe and effective as the current standard treatment, praziquantel.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed an intervention strategy that improves medication adherence by three times more than previously studied techniques. The Continuous Self-Improvement strategy involves counseling patients to understand how taking medications fits into their daily routines.
A study of medical records in Hong Kong found 66 cases of poisoning from natural slimming therapy, with one fatality. The researchers identified 12 agents used in 81 products as falling into categories that include undeclared weight-loss drugs and banned substances.
Dr. Noam Shomron's new method uses genetic expression of microRNAs to optimize individual patient care and predict adverse drug effects, leading to safer and more effective treatment options.
The use of bespoke drugs in primary care is associated with high costs, lack of transparency, and legal pitfalls. The review calls for a major overhaul to reduce unnecessary prescribing and improve patient safety.
Experts advocate for phasing out codeine due to its significant risks and unpredictable pharmacokinetics. Morphine, its active metabolite, is proposed as an alternative, offering more predictable metabolism and cost savings.
A phase II clinical trial found tanezumab to be effective in reducing osteoarthritis knee pain, with a 62% reduction in walking knee pain compared to placebo. The drug also showed promise in improving physical function and relieving stiffness.
A pilot study suggests pioglitazone is well-tolerated and may be a promising treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Peripheral edema was the main adverse event, but no significant treatment effect on clinical efficacy was observed.
The International Serious Adverse Events Consortium (SAEC) will collaborate with Newcastle University to research the genetics of drug-induced liver injury. The collaboration aims to develop larger and more diverse collections of subjects to better understand the genetic effects contributing to these diseases.
The NIH is expanding its Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base (PharmGKB) to analyze genomes and identify genetic variations associated with disease risk and adverse drug reactions. The goal is to develop tools that automatically extract information from biomedical literature and databases to improve the safety and efficacy of medicines.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified two drugs that can protect nerve cells in mice from the lethal effects of Parkinson's disease by blocking the overactive LRRK2 protein. This finding suggests a promising target for developing treatments against Parkinson's disease.
Icatibant blocks bradykinin, a protein that dilates blood vessels and produces HAE symptoms. The drug produced faster symptom relief than the comparison drug in two phase 3 trials.
A recent study found that men taking erectile dysfunction drugs have a higher rate of STDs, particularly HIV infection, compared to those who do not use ED drugs. However, the optimal timing for initiating surgery on rotator cuff injuries remains unclear, with experts debating whether early or delayed intervention is best.
A new study found that rosiglitazone, a medication for treating Type 2 diabetes, is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and death compared to pioglitazone. The study analyzed data from over 227,000 patients aged 65 and older who took the medications from 2006 to 2009.
A Johns Hopkins-led committee, sponsored by the FDA, will examine drug safety studies' scientific and ethical issues. The committee aims to deliver a report on July 1 outlining key considerations for clinical trials evaluating post-market drug safety.
A Phase II clinical trial of eliglustat tartrate, an oral therapy, demonstrates significant improvements in spleen volume, hemoglobin level, and platelet count. The treatment also normalizes glucosylceramide plasma levels and improves bone mineral density.
A new study warns of the dramatic rise in psychotropic medications for children, with up to eight million children taking one or more drugs. The authors caution that there is little evidence available to warrant the widespread use of these medications for children.
Researchers have discovered two compounds that allow cells to survive attacks from ricin and Shiga-like toxins, rendering them immune to these deadly threats. These compounds work by blocking the toxins' escape via cellular components, providing potential countermeasures against bioterrorism.
A Saint Louis University doctor found no evidence supporting the use of natural treatments like St. John's wort for anxiety, instead recommending selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a safe and effective first-line treatment option.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute conclude that dronedarone is only moderately effective and lacks clear safety benefits. The review assesses data from the FDA approval process and compares dronedarone to amiodarone, a commonly used treatment for atrial fibrillation.
A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that e-prescribing significantly improves ambulatory medication safety. The research discovered a nearly seven-fold decrease in prescribing errors among doctors who adopted e-prescribing compared to those using traditional paper-based prescriptions.
Comparative effectiveness studies rarely examine the effects of nonpharmacologic interventions, cost-effectiveness, or safety. Most studies (87%) were funded by noncommercial entities, but only 10 included non-pharmacologic therapies in medication comparisons. Increased funding is necessary to support these studies.
A hospitalist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Dr. Alec B. O'Connor, is calling for more rigorous standards for drugs up for FDA approval. He argues that current guidelines do not require studies comparing a new drug's effectiveness and safety to an established first-line drug.
A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that collaborative care plans involving physicians and pharmacists have little clinical impact on managing lipid control in patients with high cholesterol. The study suggests that this approach may be effective for lifestyle changes, but not for significant clinical outcomes.
Researchers found more-aggressive ESA treatment practices among severely anemic patients led to better outcomes, while aggressive treatment of mildly anemic patients was associated with increased mortality. The study analyzed data from 4,500 U.S. dialysis units and supported guidelines for safer ESA use in end-stage renal disease patie...
A new review of scientific literature found that only a few anti-spasticity medications used for children with cerebral palsy have sufficient research backing their use. The American Academy of Neurology has released a new practice guideline on effective treatments, highlighting the need for more research on commonly used drugs.
A study examines the effect of FDA safety warnings on atypical antipsychotics prescribed to patients with dementia, revealing a decline in usage among the elderly population. The findings highlight the need for improved risk communication between physicians and patients.