Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pharmacy for April 2016. 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.
FDA Reconsidering Training for Doctors Prescribing Opioids
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Mandatory safety training for doctors who prescribe opioids is being reconsidered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Generic Crestor Approved by FDA
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The first generic version of Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium) tablets was approved Friday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Guidelines Developed for Management of Atopic Dermatitis
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been developed for the management of atopic dermatitis (AD). The guidelines were published online April 14 in The Journal of Dermatology.
Article Discusses Workplace Violence in Health Care
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There is a lack of data relating to the prevalence of workplace violence in health care and how to address it, according to a review article published in the April 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Ixazomib Ups Progression-Free Survival in Multiple Myeloma
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with relapsed, refractory, or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, ixazomib is associated with prolonged progression-free-survival, according to a study published in the April 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Review Compares Metformin, OCPs for Teens With PCOS
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), treatment with metformin and oral contraceptive pills can be beneficial, although evidence is limited, according to a review published online April 28 in Pediatrics.
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Preventive Topical Steroids Cut Atopic Dermatitis Severity
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Intermittent preventive administration of topical corticosteroids in children controls the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a study published online April 14 in the Journal of Dermatology.
U.S. Health Report Card Finds Racial, Ethnic Disparities Persist
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — An update on Americans’ health finds that racial and ethnic disparities persist, with significant gaps in obesity, cesarean births, and dental care. But advances have been made in some important areas, including infant mortality rates, women smokers, and numbers of uninsured, according to the new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Certain Nutraceuticals May Augment Antidepressant Effects
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Certain nutritional supplements may improve the effectiveness of antidepressants, according to research published online April 26 in The American Journal of Psychiatry.
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New Research Questions Link Between Statin Use and CRC Risk
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Long-term use of statins does not appear to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), but a patient’s cholesterol levels might affect risk, according to a study published online April 26 in PLOS Medicine.
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FDA: Fluconazole Linked to Increased Miscarriage Risk
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Health care professionals should use caution when prescribing the oral antifungal drug fluconazole (Diflucan) during pregnancy because it may raise the risk of miscarriage, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
Atomoxetine Use Doesn’t Up Suicide Risk in Children
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Treatment with the selective noradrenalin-reuptake-inhibitor atomoxetine is not associated with increased suicide risk compared with stimulant use in children and adolescents, according to a study published online April 26 in Pediatrics.
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Simvastatin/Ezetimibe Not Beneficial in Alopecia Areata
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Simvastatin/ezetimibe does not appear to be beneficial for severe alopecia areata (AA) in a sample of 20 patients, according to a letter to the editor published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Interactions for HIV Drug Combos, Immunosuppressants
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — HIV-positive transplant recipients and their physicians should be aware of potential interactions between fixed dose combination products used for HIV treatment and immunosuppressant metabolism, according to a case report published online April 18 in the American Journal of Transplantation.
Influenza Vaccination Timing Appears to Affect Efficacy
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Influenza vaccination may be more effective when people receive it in the morning than in the afternoon, according to a study published online April 26 in Vaccine.
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FDA Panel Votes Against Approval of Eteplirsen for DMD
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The drug eteplirsen should not be approved for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel said Monday.
Pharmacists Can Manage Some Chronic Conditions Effectively
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Pharmacists can do an effective job helping chronically ill patients manage their blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels if they’re allowed to direct patients’ health care, according to an evidence review published online April 26 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Triple Therapy No Benefit for COPD Exacerbations
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The addition of tiotropium to long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) and/or inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) does not reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations compared to LABA/ICS alone, according to a study published online April 20 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Saxagliptin, Sitagliptin Don’t Up Hospitalized Heart Failure
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Use of saxagliptin or sitagliptin is not associated with increased risk of hospitalized heart failure (hHF) compared with other antihyperglycemic agents, according to a study published online April 26 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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High-Dose Methotrexate Beneficial in Youth With B-ALL
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For children and young adults with high-risk B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, high-dose methotrexate is associated with superior five-year event-free survival (EFS) compared with Capizzi methotrexate, according to a study published online April 25 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Higher Arsenic Levels Detected in Infants Fed Rice-Based Cereals
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Infants fed rice-based foods may have significantly higher inorganic arsenic concentrations in their urine than those who never eat rice, according to a report published online April 25 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Pathogen Reduction System Prevents Malaria Via Transfusion
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of transfusion-transmitted malaria can be reduced with use of a whole blood pathogen-reduction system, according to a study published in the April 23 issue of The Lancet.
Rapid-Onset Diabetes Described With Anti-PD-1 Treatment
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In a case report published online April 11 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation, researchers document rapid-onset insulin-dependent diabetes in an Asian patient undergoing treatment with anti-programmed cell death-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy.
No Link for Smoking Cessation Meds, Mental Health Issues
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Varenicline (Chantix) and bupropion (Wellbutrin) don’t appear to raise the risk of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, according to a new study published online April 22 in The Lancet.
Poor Persistence/Adherence With Long-Term Topical AK Treatment
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of patients with actinic keratosis (AK) receiving long-term topical treatment have poor persistence or adherence, according to a study published online April 18 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Continued Aspirin Treatment Safe With Partial Nephrectomy
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Continuing aspirin for chronic antiplatelet therapy is safe in patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Urology.
Ideal BP in Elderly With Chronic Kidney Disease Unclear
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Age modifies the association between blood pressure (BP) and adverse cardiovascular and renal outcomes in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to research published online April 21 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Lipid Tx Cuts Cardiovascular Risk with Type 1 Diabetes
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular death is 22 to 44 percent lower among individuals with type 1 diabetes treated with lipid-lowering therapy (LLT), according to a study published online April 18 in Diabetes Care.
Antimicrobial Treatment No Benefit After Kidney Transplant
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing kidney transplantation (KT), systematic antimicrobial treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) beyond the second month post-transplant is not beneficial, according to a study published online April 18 in the American Journal of Transplantation.
Ustekinumab More Effective Than TNF-α Inhibitors in Psoriasis
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with psoriasis, ustekinumab is more effective than tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Aromatase Inhibitors Won’t Raise Odds of Most Fatal CVD Events
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Treatment with aromatase inhibitors doesn’t raise the risk of the most fatal cardiovascular disease events among breast cancer survivors, according to research published online April 21 in JAMA Oncology.
Anthracyclines May Not Trigger ‘Chemo Brain’
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Anthracyclines are not related to “chemo brain,” according to a research letter published online April 21 in JAMA Oncology.
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Do Antihistamines Blunt Exercise Recovery?
THURSDAY, April 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Histamine may contribute to exercise recovery in skeletal muscle, and blockade of histamine receptors may interfere with that mechanism, according to research published online April 9 in the Journal of Physiology.
Improved Survival for Certain Cancers With Low-Dose Aspirin
THURSDAY, April 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients with colorectal, breast, or prostate cancers may have better survival odds if they are on a low-dose aspirin regimen, according to a review published online April 20 in PLOS ONE.
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Pembrolizumab Active in Patients With Advanced Melanoma
THURSDAY, April 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Pembrolizumab is associated with an overall objective response rate of 33 percent in patients with advanced melanoma, and a higher rate for treatment-naive patients, according to a study published in the April 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Trichloroacetic Acid Beats Cryotherapy for Plantar Warts
WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is more effective than cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen for the treatment of plantar warts, according to a study published online April 4 in the Journal of Dermatology.
LDL Reduction in Hypertriglyceridemia Varies Per Statin
WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with hypertriglyceridemia, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) reductions depend of the choice and dose of statin, according to research published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
In Breast CA, Cardiotoxicity Up With Trastuzumab-Based Chemo
WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For adult women with breast cancer, trastuzumab-based regimens are associated with increased risk of cardiotoxicity, according to a study published online April 18 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Digital Assistant in Closed-Loop Control Mode Beneficial in T1DM
WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 1 diabetes, a portable, wearable, wireless artificial pancreas system (the Diabetes Assistant [DiAs]) improves glucose control at home in closed-loop control (CLC) modes, according to a study published online April 13 in Diabetes Care.
Lower CVD Mortality for Metformin Versus Sulfonylureas
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Metformin is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality compared with sulfonylureas, according to a large analysis published online April 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Early Trials Offer Promising Results for 2-Step Ebola Vaccine
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A new two-step Ebola vaccine strategy has shown some promise in early clinical trials, according to research published in the April 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Review: Paroxetine Reduces Vasomotor Symptoms
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, paroxetine reduces vasomotor symptoms, according to a review and meta-analysis published online April 7 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists No Benefit Post MI
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with post-myocardial infarction (MI) heart failure, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) do not improve outcome, according to a study published in the April 26 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Network Meta-Analysis Recommends Prostaglandins for Glaucoma
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Network meta-analysis, which compares multiple treatment options, suggests that prostaglandins are best for decreasing intraocular pressure at three months in primary open angle-glaucoma (POAG), according to research published online April 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Oral Nicotinamide Safe for Renal Transplant Recipients
MONDAY, April 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For renal transplant recipients, oral nicotinamide seems safe and is associated with nonsignificant reductions in new non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), according to a study published online April 8 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Post-Op Gouty Arthritis Described in Patient Taking Thiazide
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A case of postoperative acute gouty arthritis following laparoscopic cholecystectomy with umbilical hernioplasty, secondary to hydrochlorothiazide use, has been documented in a case report published in the March issue in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.
Testosterone Undecanoate Cuts Anemia in Hypogonadal Men
MONDAY, April 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Testosterone undecanoate reduces anemia in patients with subnormal testosterone levels, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Urology.
Antithrombotic Rx Could Be Optimized for Older A-Fib Patients
MONDAY, April 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of older patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are not prescribed antithrombotics, according to a study published online April 7 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Metformin May Reduce Cancer Mortality Risk
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Metformin may reduce the risk of dying from some cancers for postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the April 15 issue of the International Journal of Cancer.
Only Half of Rectal CA Patients Receiving Standard of Care
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Use of chemoradiation followed by surgery among rectal cancer patients rose from 42.9 percent in 2004-2006, to 50 percent in 2007-2009, and to 55 percent in 2010-2012 in the United States, according to a report published online April 13 in Cancer.
Proton Pump Inhibitors Tied to Chronic Kidney Disease
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients who regularly use proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease, according to research published online April 14 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Neratinib Not Superior to Trastuzumab in ERBB2-Breast CA
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Neratinib-paclitaxel is no better than trastuzumab-paclitaxel for progression-free survival in recurrent and/or metastatic ERBB2-positive breast cancer, although it may delay the onset and reduce the frequency of central nervous system progression, according to a study published online April 14 in JAMA Oncology.
Health Care Workers Skip Hand Washing One-Third of the Time
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Staff at many outpatient health care facilities in New Mexico failed to follow recommendations for hand hygiene more than one-third of the time, according to findings published in the April 1 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
For Rosacea, Ivermectin Offers Lasting Improvement in HRQoL
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with rosacea, ivermectin treatment is associated with long-term improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), according to a study published online April 8 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Optimized Tx Linked to Lasting Pain Relief in Chronic Pancreatitis
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For most patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), optimized medical and interventional therapy is associated with lasting pain relief, according to a study published online April 7 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Computerized Order Set Aids Prescribing in COPD Exacerbations
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of a computerized multidisciplinary order set in the electronic health record improves the quality of physician pharmacologic prescribing for patients hospitalized for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) exacerbations, according to research published online April 8 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
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Review: Low Risk of Birth Defects With Ondansetron Exposure
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The offspring of women using ondansetron early in pregnancy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy or hyperemesis gravidarum may be at risk for cardiac abnormalities, although the overall risk of birth defects associated with exposure appears low, according to a review published in the May issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Potentially Inappropriate Meds Use Common With OAB Tx
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For older adults starting antimuscarinic treatment for overactive bladder (OAB), potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use is highly prevalent and associated with greater total costs, according to a study published online April 5 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
CV Risk Not Significantly Different for GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There are no significant differences in occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) tied to treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i), second generation sulfonylureas, or insulin, in combination with metformin, according to a study published online March 22 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Doctors Can Be Misled About FDA ‘Breakthrough’ Drug Designation
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Use of the word “breakthrough” in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s expedited approval process could mislead doctors about the new drugs’ actual benefits, according to a research letter published in the April 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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ASCO Presents Guidelines for Increasing HPV Vaccine Uptake
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been developed to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake, according to an American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) special article published online April 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Efficacy of DTaP, Tdap Holds Despite Pertactin Deficiency
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Despite an increased proportion of Bordetella pertussis isolates lacking pertactin, vaccine effectiveness (VE) is still high in Vermont for the five-dose diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) series and the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap), according to research published online April 12 in Pediatrics.
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Guidance Issued on Use of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Obese
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been issued for the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in obese patients; the guideline was published online March 22 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
USPSTF: Aspirin Recommended for Some Aged 50 to 69 Years
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends aspirin use for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and colorectal cancer (CRC) in certain adults aged 50 to 69 years, but not in younger or older adults. These findings form the basis of a recommendation statement, published online April 11 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Recommendation Statement
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FDA Approves Venclexta for CLL With 17p Deletion
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Venclexta (venetoclax) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) characterized by a specific chromosomal abnormality, 17p deletion, in patients who have been treated with at least one prior therapy.
VA Commission on Care: Eliminate VA Medical Centers
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A radical proposal has been suggested for eliminating all Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and outpatient facilities in the next 20 years, floated by seven of 15 members of the VA Commission on Care, according to an article published in the Military Times.
Exenatide Twice Daily Deemed Efficacious Across BMI Ranges
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes, exenatide twice daily added to insulin glargine is efficacious across body mass index (BMI) ranges, according to a study published online March 29 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Progesterone Attenuates Drug-Induced QT Interval Lengthening
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For healthy females, oral progesterone administration attenuates drug-induced QT interval lengthening, according to a study published online April 6 in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.
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Niacin-ER May Be Overlooked Cause of Thrombocytopenia
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Extended-release (ER) niacin is associated with progressive and reversible thrombocytopenia, according to a letter to the editor published online March 25 in the American Journal of Hematology.
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Propranolol Use Tied to Increased Mortality in Child-Pugh B, C
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with Child-Pugh B and C, propranolol use is associated with increased mortality, according to a letter to the editor published online March 26 in Hepatology.
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ACEI/ARBs Up AMI Outcomes Regardless of Renal Status
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For acute myocardial infarction (AMI) survivors, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) treatment is associated with improved long-term survival, according to research published in the April 12 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Liraglutide Is Not Justified for All Patients With T1DM
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), addition of 1.2 and 1.8 mg of liraglutide to insulin over a 12-week period is associated with a modest reduction in weekly mean glucose levels, according to a study published online April 5 in Diabetes Care.
Hormone Tx No Harm After Nonserous Epithelial Ovarian CA
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For women with nonserous epithelial ovarian cancer, hormone therapy (HT) after treatment does not reduce survival, according to a study published in the May issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Cushing’s Sx Described in Infant Treated With Ophthalmic Steroid
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In a case report published online April 7 in Pediatrics, iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome (ICS) is described in an infant following intranasal usage of dexamethasone ophthalmic solution.
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Cocoa Pod Extract Deemed Effective As Antiwrinkle Gel
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Cocoa pod extract (CPE) can be used as an active ingredient of antiwrinkle products, with effects seen after three weeks of application of CPE gel, according to a study published online April 4 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Sport-Banned Oxilofrine Found in Diet Supplements
THURSDAY, April 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A stimulant banned from competitive sports, oxilofrine, has been found in more than a dozen dietary supplements marketed for “burning” body fat, according to a study published online April 7 in Drug Testing and Analysis.
Adding Chemo May Prolong Lives of Some Grade 2 Glioma Patients
THURSDAY, April 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Adding chemotherapy to radiation treatment may add years to the lives of patients with grade 2 gliomas, according to research published in the April 7 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Lamotrigine in Pregnancy Not Linked to Certain Birth Defects
THURSDAY, April 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Despite initial concern from early studies, taking the epilepsy drug lamotrigine during pregnancy may not raise the risk for certain birth defects, according to a study published online April 6 in Neurology.
Rectal Indomethacin Doesn’t Prevent Post-ERCP Pancreatitis
THURSDAY, April 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), rectal indomethacin does not prevent the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), according to a study published in the April issue of Gastroenterology.
Sacubitril-Valsartan May Be Cost-Effective Option in HFrEF
THURSDAY, April 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), sacubitril-valsartan may be cost-effective, depending on the willingness-to-pay threshold, according to a study published online March 30 in JACC: Heart Failure.
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Hydromorphone May Be New Treatment for Heroin Addiction
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Hydromorphone may be another treatment option for heroin addiction, according to a new Canadian study published online April 6 in JAMA Psychiatry.
FDA Approves Inflectra as ‘Biosimilar’ to Remicade
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its second-ever “biosimilar” drug, Inflectra, for adults with Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or chronic plaque psoriasis, among other prescribed uses.
Diuretic Dose Not Linked to Outcome in Heart Failure
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with worsening heart failure, after adjustment for pre-specified covariates of disease severity, diuretic dose is not associated with mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, according to a study published online March 30 in JACC: Heart Failure.
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Cost of Insulin Found to Have Tripled Over Past Decade
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The price of insulin has tripled in only 10 years, according to a letter published in the April 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Moreover, since 2010, per-person spending on insulin in the United States was more than spending on all other diabetes drugs.
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Surgery Cuts Fracture Risk in Primary Hyperparathyroidism
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), parathyroidectomy is associated with reduced fracture risk, whereas bisphosphonate treatment is not superior to observation, according to a study published online April 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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FDA Issues New Warning for Two Diabetes Medications
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Diabetes medications containing saxagliptin and alogliptin may raise the risk of heart failure, particularly in patients with heart or kidney disease, U.S. health officials warned Tuesday.
CDC Hosts Zika Action Plan Summit
MONDAY, April 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — More than 300 public health experts attended the Zika Action Plan Summit, hosted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta on Friday. The summit was held to help ensure a coordinated response to the mosquito-borne illness.
Intraarterial Chemo + Radiation May Up Cerebral Infarctions
MONDAY, April 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Intraarterial chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer is tied to a higher incidence of cerebral infarction, compared to intravenous CRT, according to a study published online March 25 in Head & Neck.
Renal Function Key to Cardiac Outcome in Statin-Treated CHD
FRIDAY, April 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For statin-treated patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), stabilization or improvement in renal function is associated with a reduced rate of major cardiovascular events (MCVEs), according to a study published in the April 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Continuous-Flow Production of Pharmaceuticals Feasible
FRIDAY, April 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — On-demand, continuous-flow synthesis and formulation of active pharmaceutical ingredients has been demonstrated in a compact reconfigurable system, according to a research article published in the April 1 issue of Science.
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Child Mental Health Care Varies Widely in Primary Care Settings
FRIDAY, April 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For children aged 4 to 18 years, mental health diagnoses and psychotropic medication prescribing vary across practices in the United States, according to a review published online April 1 in Pediatrics.
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Under-Dosing Worsens Prognosis for PD Patients With Infection
FRIDAY, April 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) admitted to the hospital, decreased treatment is associated with worse prognosis, according to a letter to the editor published online March 25 in CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics.
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