Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pharmacy for May 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Greater Benefit for Early Antiretroviral Tx Initiation in HIV
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with HIV should start antiretroviral therapy as soon as they’re diagnosed, according to research findings from the Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) study, the first large-scale randomized clinical trial to establish that earlier antiretroviral treatment benefits all HIV-infected individuals.
FDA Approves Rapamune for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Rapamune (sirolimus) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare, progressive lung disease that mostly affects women of childbearing age.
Celecoxib Safe, Effective for Brucellosis-Associated Depression
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Celecoxib seems safe and effective for treatment of depression due to acute brucellosis, according to a study published online May 26 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Weight-Based Enoxoparin Dosing Best for Obese After C-Section
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Weight-based dosing of enoxaparin is more effective than body mass index (BMI)-based dosing for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis among morbidly obese women after cesarean delivery, according to a study published in the June issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Metformin Linked With Lower Open-Angle Glaucoma Risk
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Metformin is associated with a lower risk of developing open-angle glaucoma (OAG), according to a study published online May 28 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
FDA: Two Drugs Approved for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Two new therapies to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) accompanied by diarrhea in adults have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Primary Androgen Deprivation Tx May Raise DM Risk by 60 Percent
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Primary androgen deprivation therapy increases diabetes risk, particularly in men under 70 years of age, according to research published in the June issue of The Journal of Urology.
Pre-Op β-Blockers May Work Against Heart-Healthy Patients
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — While patients with three or four heart risk factors should still be given a β-blocker before surgery, those with no risk for heart disease shouldn’t get the medication as it might lower the odds of a good outcome, according to a report published online May 27 in JAMA Surgery.
Higher Risk of VTE With Newer Forms of Oral Contraceptives
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Newer forms of combined oral contraceptives pills (OCPs) — brands such as Yaz, Yasmin, and Desogen — are associated with a higher risk of venous thromboembolism than older versions, according to research published online May 26 in The BMJ.
HSV-Derived Immunotherapy Promising in Advanced Melanoma
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A genetically engineered form of the herpes virus is showing promise in slowing the progression of melanoma, according to research published online May 26 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Fat, Protein, Glycemic Index All Modify Postprandial Glycemia
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Dietary fat, protein, and glycemic index (GI) modify postprandial glycemia in type 1 diabetes, according to a review published in the June issue of Diabetes Care.
Caution Urged When Using EHR Shortcut Features
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Caution should be exercised with use of electronic health record (EHR) documentation short cuts, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Antiatherosclerotic Activity ID’d for MTX, Adalimumab in RA
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Potential mechanisms for the antiatherosclerotic activity of methotrexate (MTX) and adalimumab in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been identified, according to a study published in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Costs of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome on the Rise
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The number of infants born to American mothers who are chronic opioid users is rising, as are the costs of treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), researchers report. The findings were published online May 15 in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.
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Gender-Based Differences in Glycemic Control in T2DM
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes, there are gender-based differences in glycemic control and hypoglycemia after insulin treatment, according to research published in the June issue of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Increasing Omega-3 Intake May Boost Cognitive Flexibility
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Consuming more omega-3 fatty acids may benefit patients at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study published online May 21 in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
ACOG Urges Expedited Partner Therapy for Some STIs
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, whose partners are unable or unwilling to seek care, expedited partner therapy can be used to prevent reinfection, according to a Committee Opinion published in the June issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Probiotic Mixture VSL#3 Shows Promise for Crohn’s Recurrence
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The probiotic VSL#3, which includes eight different bacterial probiotic species, may be beneficial for preventing Crohn’s disease recurrence, according to a study published in the May issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
CDC: Smoking Rates on Decline in Many States
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cigarette smoking continues to decline in about half of American states, according to the latest U.S. government estimates. The new report was published in the May 22 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Beloranib Safe, Efficacious for Weight Loss in Obesity
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Beloranib seems efficacious and safe for weight loss in obese patients, according to a study published in the June issue of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Caffeine Intake Linked to Lower Risk of Erectile Dysfunction
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Men who consume more caffeine each day may have a lower risk of erectile dysfunction, according to a new study published online April 28 in PLOS One.
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Proper Analysis Over Intuition for Avoiding Improper Antibiotic Use
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Misdiagnosis often leads to improper antibiotic use in hospitals, according to a study published online May 18 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Fixed-Course Antibiotics Good for Intraabdominal Infection
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with complicated intraabdominal infection, outcomes are similar for fixed-duration antibiotic therapy and antibiotic therapy that is extended until symptom resolution, according to a study published in the May 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Enoxaparin Prevents VTEs in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC), enoxaparin is effective for prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs), according to a study published online May 18 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Prednisone for Sciatica No Better Than Placebo
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Oral prednisone is no more effective than placebo for sciatica pain and provide only modest improvement in function, researchers report in the May 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Statins, Fibrates Linked to 30% Lower Stroke Risk in Elderly
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Older patients taking statins or fibrates saw their risk of stroke over almost a decade decline by about one-third, according to a report published online May 19 in The BMJ.
Changes Observed in HbA1c During Ramadan
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes, during Ramadan, the greatest change among metabolic parameters is seen for glycemia, according to a study published online May 13 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
Hospital Stays Longer Without Prophylactic Laxatives
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Failure to use prophylactic laxatives in elderly congestive heart failure (CHF) patients who use laxatives at home is associated with a significantly longer hospital length of stay (LOS), according to a study published online May 13 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Meds Offer Slight Symptom Relief in Overactive Bladder
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For women with overactive bladder, medications delivered as a daily dose correlate with small reductions in urge incontinence episodes and voiding, according to a review published online May 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Discovery Paves New Path for Opioid Production
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new study published online May 18 in Nature Chemical Biology describes all but one step of an engineered yeast pathway that can convert glucose into a “microbial factory” for producing morphine and potentially other drugs, including antibiotics and cancer therapeutics.
Pain Med Rx + Medical Cannabis Doesn’t Seem to Up Abuse Risk
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical marijuana users don’t appear to increase their risk for drug or alcohol abuse if they also take prescription pain medications (PPMs), according to research published in the May issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
FDA: Watch for Ketoacidosis With SGLT2 Inhibitors
MONDAY, May 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about the risk of ketoacidosis with use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.
Early Insulin Initiation Beneficial in Seniors With T2DM
MONDAY, May 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For older Medicare beneficiaries with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), early insulin initiation offers clinical benefit, according to a study published online May 8 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Short Time to Eligibility for ART in Young HIV-Infected Adults
FRIDAY, May 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More than one-third of young HIV-infected adults with CD4 cell count >500 cells/µl became eligible for antiretroviral therapy (ART) at a CD4 cell count of <350 cells/µl over a median of two years, according to a study published online May 11 in HIV Medicine.
Tramadol-Related ER Visits Up 2005 to 2011
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There was a sharp rise in the number of emergency department visits involving tramadol between 2005 and 2011, two new government reports show.
Study Considers Antibiotics-First Approach to Appendicitis
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An antibiotics-first approach could be considered for specific patients with appendicitis, according to a case vignette published in the May 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Financial Incentives Effective in Smoking Cessation
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Paying smokers to quit seems to work better than offering them free counseling and nicotine replacement therapy, new research suggests. The report was published online May 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
TAS-102 Ups Overall Survival in Refractory Metastatic CRC
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer, the oral agent TAS-102, that combines trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride, is associated with improved overall survival, according to a phase 3 study published in the May 14 issue the New England Journal of Medicine.
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HPV Vaccination of Females Has Some Indirect Benefit for Males
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Males benefit indirectly when girls are immunized against human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a new study published online May 12 in The BMJ.
Medical Marijuana Fails to Improve Symptoms in Dementia
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Low-dose oral tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may not ease the common behavioral symptoms that affect people with dementia, according to a small study published online May 13 in Neurology.
ADT for Prostate Cancer Tied to Impaired Cognition
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Men undergoing androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) to treat prostate cancer may experience impaired cognitive function within the first six months that persists for at least a year, a new study suggests. The report was published online May 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Positive + Negative Treatment Recs Cut Antibiotic Rx
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For children with viral acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI), combined use of positive and negative treatment recommendations is associated with reduced risk of antibiotic prescribing, according to a study published in the May/June issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
No Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes for Tdap at 32 Weeks
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination at 32 weeks of gestation is not associated with adverse pregnancy or neonatal outcomes, according to a study published online May 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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New Health Care Index Reports Increases in Consumer Costs
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new Health Care Index shows increases in consumer costs, according to a report published by U.S. News & World Report.
Codeine Rx for New Mothers Trending Down
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer new mothers have been prescribed codeine since public health officials warned about a rare, but potential risk of overdose for breastfeeding babies, according to study results reported in the May 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Survival Improving for Women With Ovarian Cancer
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are now much more likely to survive the disease than they were several decades ago, according to research published online May 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Nondisclosure Clauses Often Used in Malpractice Settlements
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nondisclosure clauses are frequently used in malpractice settlement agreements, according to research published online May 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Chlorofluorocarbon Ban Tied to Sharp Rise in Inhaler Cost
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Federal action to protect the ozone layer has resulted in a dramatic increase in the cost of asthma inhalers in recent years, according to new research. The study, published online May 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine, is the first-ever attempt to assess the impact of the ban on out-of-pocket costs for albuterol inhalers.
FDA Approves Avelox for Treatment of Plague
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Avelox (moxifloxacin) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday to treat plague, a rare but deadly bacterial infection that can strike the lungs (pneumonic), blood (septicemic), or lymph nodes (bubonic).
Prostate CA Patients on Hormone Tx May Benefit From Statin
FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Statins may slow the progression of prostate cancer in patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy, according to a study published online May 7 in JAMA Oncology.
ACA Tied to Nearly 17 Million Gaining Health Coverage
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — As a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), nearly 17 million previously uninsured Americans now have health coverage, according to a 2013 to 2015 report from the Rand Corporation.
CDC: Mortality Rate Declining Among Aging Boomers
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new study finds mixed results for the health of America’s aging “Baby Boom” generation, with nearly half of people ages 55 to 64 taking a prescription cardiovascular drug and about one in five dealing with diabetes. However, the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also finds that the overall mortality rate in this age group has gone down over the past decade.
Both Omega-3, Placebo Help With Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Pain
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs), arthralgia is improved with omega-3 fatty acid (O3-FA) treatment and with placebo, according to a study published online May 4 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Acupuncture Effective for Post-Tonsillectomy Pain in Children
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Acupuncture, in addition to conventional analgesic treatment, is an effective treatment for post-tonsillectomy pain in children, according to a study published in the June issue of Pediatric Anesthesia.
Texting Cuts Patients’ Need for Pain Meds During Surgery
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Texting during minor surgery cuts the need for pain relievers among patients receiving regional anesthesia, according to a brief research report published in the April issue of Pain Medicine.
Full Rx Coverage Ups Outcomes for Patients Discharged After MI
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients discharged from hospital after myocardial infarction, full prescription coverage is associated with improved health outcomes and less resource use, according to research published online May 5 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Non-Toxic Version of C. Difficile May Help Fight Infection
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers may have found a new way to combat Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection: a friendly version of the culprit bacteria itself. Their findings were published in the May 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Statins Don’t Reduce Psoriasis Risk
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Statin use does not lower the risk of psoriasis, according to a study published online April 20 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Experimental Drug Combo Shows Success in HCV Treatment
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers have released yet another study finding impressive results for an experimental drug combo that aims to rid the body of hepatitis C. The study is published in the May 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Digoxin Tied to Higher Mortality Risk in A-Fib, Heart Failure
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of digoxin may increase the risk of premature death in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure, according to research published online May 4 in the European Heart Journal.
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USPSTF: Not Enough Data on E-Cigarettes As Cessation Aid
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There’s not enough data to decide whether or not electronic cigarettes can help smokers quit, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).
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FDA Petitioned to Stop Sales of Essure Implant
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Bayer’s contraceptive implant Essure can cause serious complications and should be taken off the market, says a citizen’s petition filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
High-Value Research of 2014 Presented for Geriatric Medicine
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Articles relating to overtreatment of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and dementia care, as well as reduction of polypharmacy and adverse drug effects, are included in a special update summary published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Statins Linked to Improved Survival in Lung Cancer
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of statins for a year before a diagnosis of lung cancer is associated with a 12 percent lower risk of cancer-specific mortality, new research suggests. The study findings are published in the May issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Waning Immunity Seen Post-Tdap Booster in Preteens
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine given to preteens loses a large measure of effectiveness within a few years, new research reveals. The study findings are published online May 4 in Pediatrics.
High Doses of Triptorelin Needed for Ovarian Suppression in SLE
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For female patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who require treatment with cyclophosphamide, sustained complete ovarian suppression is achieved in 90 percent of the patients with triptorelin at a weight-adjusted dose of 120 µg/kg body weight, according to a study published in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Cuts in Epilepsy Drugs Boost Children’s Post-Op IQ
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in children is tied to higher IQ post-epilepsy surgery, according to a study published online April 21 in the Annals of Neurology.
Trade-Off for Six Weeks Versus Six Months of Triple Tx Post Stent
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients receiving oral anticoagulation after drug-eluting stent implantation, six weeks of triple therapy is not superior to six months of therapy with respect to net clinical outcomes, according to a study published in the April 28 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Church-Based Intervention Linked to Healthy Lifestyle Changes
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A pilot church-based diabetes self-management intervention in a Latino community is associated with improvement in lifestyle factors that affect diabetes risk, according to a study published online April 28 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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FDA Approves Raplixa to Help Control Surgical Bleeding
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Raplixa (human fibrin sealant) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help control bleeding during surgery, the agency said in a news release.
Nitrofurantoin Not Best Choice for UTIs in Older Women
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nitrofurantoin may not be the most effective option for treatment of urinary tract infections in older women, according to a new study published online April 27 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
High-Value Research of 2014 Presented for Internal Medicine
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Articles relating to atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, acute bronchitis, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for hypertension screening, and guidelines relevant to generalist practice are included in a special update summary published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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