Articles tagged with Drug Safety
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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.
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.
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 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.
A new UCLA study has found that metformin is safe for use in treating patients with both diabetes and advanced heart failure, suggesting improved survival rates. The study involved 401 patients who were followed for 14 years and showed a lower risk of death among those taking metformin.
A new ALS drug, talampanel, has shown some ability to slow the loss of major daily life activities such as speaking, walking and dressing. The study found that talampanel slowed progression of ALS by 30 percent, according to the ALS Functional Rating Scale.
A study found that 44% of patients believe they are receiving a medication they don't need, and 96% cannot recall at least one prescribed medication. The study highlights the importance of patient knowledge in preventing medication errors.
A new study by McMaster researcher Sam Schulman found that an oral drug called dabigatran etexilate is as safe and effective as warfarin for treating venous thromboembolism (VTE), a common clotting disorder affecting millions annually. The drug does not require frequent monitoring or dose adjustments, making it a convenient alternative.
A statistical analysis found that FDA review intervals for new drugs remained unchanged from 1997 to 2006, despite increased investment in information technology. The study analyzed data on three main categories of new drugs and found no statistically significant reduction in review times.
The University of Rochester Medical Center has launched a new center to improve cardiac safety and understand cardiac arrhythmias. The center will utilize a vast database of ECG data to develop novel methods and technologies to predict cardiac arrhythmias.
A CDC investigation found that contaminated pre-filled heparin and saline syringes from a single company led to 162 S. marcescens bloodstream infections in nine states. The company failed to comply with FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices, leading to the voluntary recall of affected syringes.
A large cohort study found no significant risks of major congenital malformations associated with H2 blocker exposure during pregnancy. The study involved 1,148 infants exposed to H2 blockers and 84,823 unexposed infants, showing no increased risk of perinatal mortality or birth complications.
Abatacept, a new biologic drug, is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis by blocking immune cell actions, reducing pain and swelling. The review of seven trials found significant improvements in patients' symptoms and joint health, with no progression of joint damage at 12-month follow-up
Scientists have developed micrometer-sized capsules that can safely deliver drugs inside living cells. These 'micro shuttles' can be loaded with specific doses and released by biological triggers or light activation, offering a promising solution for managing chronic conditions.
The increasing use of smart drugs to boost academic performance may necessitate routine doping tests for exam students, suggests Vince Cakic. Despite the illegitimacy of chemically enhanced academic success, nootropics are near impossible to ban due to their ready availability for therapeutic use.
The USP's Annual Scientific Meeting highlighted efforts to combat counterfeit and adulterated food and drugs, with a focus on measurement science and international cooperation. Experts discussed sophisticated quality measurement techniques and technologies, as well as the need for consumer education and vigilance.
A new once-daily medication has shown to be as effective as multiple dosings for treating the most common mouth infection in HIV/AIDS patients. The treatment, a small tablet applied daily, provides relief from oral candidiasis (OC) with few or no side effects.
Recent observational studies show no overall safety issue with drug eluting stents compared to bare metal stents, with lower risks of death or myocardial infarction. However, late stent thrombosis remains higher and uniquely associated with drug eluting stents, necessitating improved patient selection and treatment strategies.
A recent national survey found that physicians inaccurately believed in the FDA approval status of 22 drug-indication pairs, including lorazepam for chronic anxiety and quetiapine for dementia with agitation. The study highlights the need for better methods to inform physicians about the level of evidence supporting off-label drug use.
Researchers link high blood pressure to multiple sclerosis and suggest a safe, inexpensive drug lisinopril could be an effective treatment option. The study found that lisinopril controls blood pressure by blocking an enzyme that converts angiotensin's precursor into the active hormone.
A new study reveals that 95% of older drivers (ages 55+) have medical conditions and take medications, yet only 28% are aware of the potential impact on their driving ability. The researchers emphasize the need for increased education and awareness among health professionals and patients to address this critical issue.
A study found that clozapine, restricted due to safety concerns, is associated with lower mortality compared to other antipsychotics. Long-term use of any antipsychotic reduces mortality by around 20%, indicating restrictions may have caused thousands of extra deaths worldwide.
Researchers have discovered that two commercially available drugs used for Parkinson's treatment, entacapone and tolcapone, have potential to treat multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. The study, published in PLOS Computational Biology, uses a novel computational strategy and experimental validation to support this repositioning.
A new study in CMAJ reports that oseltamivir and zanamivir are relatively safe for use in pregnant and breast-feeding women during the H1N1 pandemic. Pregnant women, especially those in the third trimester, are at high risk of serious complications from the flu virus.
A large cohort study found that metoclopramide poses no significant risks for fetal development when used to relieve morning sickness nausea, supporting its safe use during pregnancy. The study analyzed data from over 80,000 infants born to mothers who received the medication during the first trimester.
Researchers have found that humans are likely exposed to a daily dose of bisphenol A (BPA) that far exceeds the current estimated safe daily intake dose. The study, which involved five female adult monkeys, suggests that BPA exposure comes from multiple unknown sources beyond food and beverage containers.
A legal loophole in Canada's advertising regulations has exposed Canadians to more than $90 million worth of drug ads, including those for life-threatening medications. The study found that four out of eight heavily advertised drugs had black box warnings and five had been subject to Health Canada safety advisories.
A pooled analysis of two studies found significant improvements in pulmonary function, dyspnea, and rescue medication use when Perforomist Inhalation Solution was added to maintenance tiotropium. Patient satisfaction also increased with twice-daily Perforomist Inhalation Solution compared to ipratropium/albuterol metered-dose inhaler.
The SCAAR registry study analyzed 47,967 patients who received drug eluting stents (DES) between 2003 and 2006. The results found no significant difference in late mortality between DES and bare metal stent (BMS) groups.
A University of Rochester Medical Center survey found teens lack knowledge about over-the-counter pain medications, with only 35% correctly identifying acetaminophen and Tylenol. Chronic misuse can lead to liver damage and accidental overdose
A new method for testing drugs predicts toxicity in some people, with genetic variations being key factor. The approach has potential to improve the development process and reduce costs.
Medication errors in the ICU account for 78% of serious medical errors. Implementing strategies such as computerizing orders, reconciling medications, and maintaining detailed medication lists can help prevent errors and improve patient safety.
A steroid nasal wash containing budesonide appears to reduce symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis in patients. The medication is found to be safe and effective for short-term use, with minimal risk of systemic adverse effects.
A recent study found that Phase I drug trials are underreported, with only 17% published in scientific journals. The lack of transparency can compromise the safety and efficacy of new drugs, highlighting the need for increased mechanisms to ensure complete availability of trial results.
A new study found that clinicians override over 90% of drug interaction and allergy alerts, highlighting the need for improved decision support systems to enhance patient safety. The researchers recommend reclassifying alert severity, providing an option to suppress alerts, and customizing them for a clinician's specialty.
A new study by Queen's University Belfast emphasizes the importance of licensed medicines for children, with 86% of respondents unaware of unlicensed medicine use. The study calls for more clinical trials to ensure safe and effective treatment, highlighting a need to bridge the gap between adult and child medicine.
A vascular drug has improved spatial learning and working memory in middle-aged rats, suggesting potential benefits for cognitive function in humans. The findings support the use of the drug as a cognitive enhancer for age- or neurodegenerative-related memory dysfunction.
Several herbal remedies commonly used for menopausal symptoms, such as black cohosh and red clover, lack strong evidence supporting their effectiveness. The study highlights the need for better-designed trials to assess the safety and efficacy of these herbal products.
A survey of healthcare professionals revealed overwhelmingly negative opinions on proposals to switch trimethoprim and tamsulosin to over-the-counter availability. Concerns about antibiotic resistance, misdiagnosis, and potential misuse led to strong opposition.
Phylonix Pharmaceuticals has been awarded a Phase II SBIR grant from the NIH to develop high-throughput in vivo zebrafish assays for assessing Cytochrome P450 drug metabolism and safety. The assay will accelerate drug metabolism and safety profiling, reducing costly late-stage development failures.
A study found that 2.2 million older US adults take multiple medications, with half involving nonprescription medications, increasing the risk of harmful drug-drug interactions. The most common interaction was bleeding problems, often caused by combining prescription and over-the-counter medications.