Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pharmacy for August 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.
Biomarker Score May Help Predict Response to Cancer Treatment
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Fourteen genes have been identified that may help determine whether a cancer treatment could help a patient, according to a study published online Aug. 31 in Nature Communications.
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FDA Approves Biosimilar Drug Erelzi for Rheumatoid Arthritis
THURSDAY, Sept. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A new biological drug to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Retinoic Acid May Help Prevent, Treat Colorectal Cancer
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Retinoic acid might have a role in suppressing colorectal cancer (CRC), according to experimental research published online Aug. 30 in Immunity.
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ACA Is Helping More Americans Afford Prescriptions
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Though a growing number of Americans are able to afford prescription medications, millions still have difficulty, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in the American Journal of Public Health.
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Drug-Eluting Contact Lenses May Help Treat Glaucoma
TUESDAY, Aug. 30, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Latanoprost-eluting contact lenses are effective at lowering intraocular pressure in a glaucoma model, according to an experimental study published online Aug. 29 in Ophthalmology.
Maintaining Body Weight Linked to Reduced Costs in T2DM
TUESDAY, Aug. 30, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes, maintaining body weight is associated with a reduction in medical care costs, while weight gain is associated with variable cost increases depending on the hemoglobin A1C level, according to a study published online Aug. 25 in Diabetes Care.
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Researchers Investigate Three Drugs That Might Fight Zika
TUESDAY, Aug. 30, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Three already existing drugs may offer pregnant women and their developing fetuses protection against the damaging effects of Zika virus, according to a new multicenter study published online Aug. 29 in Nature Medicine.
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Sacubitril-Valsartan Reasonably Cost-Effective in Heart Failure
TUESDAY, Aug. 30, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, sacubitril-valsartan is cost-effective for reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, according to a study published online Aug. 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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CABG Plus Optimal Medical Therapy Best in T2DM and CAD
TUESDAY, Aug. 30, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) plus optimal medical therapy (OMT) is superior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) plus OMT, according to a study published in the Sept. 6 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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AAP Survey Finds More Parents Are Refusing Vaccines
MONDAY, Aug. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In a survey conducted in 2013, 87.0 percent of pediatricians said they had encountered vaccine refusals, an increase from the 74.5 percent who reported refusals during the last survey in 2006. The new survey results were published online Aug. 29 in Pediatrics.
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Intranasal Steroids Underused in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
MONDAY, Aug. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), topical intranasal steroid therapy is underused, with an overall rate of utilization of 20.1 per 100 patients, according to research published online Aug. 25 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Ezetimibe Plus Rosuvastatin Bests Rosuvastatin Alone
MONDAY, Aug. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with primary hypercholesterolemia, fixed-dose combination of ezetimibe plus rosuvastatin is more effective than rosuvastatin alone, according to a study published online Aug. 10 in Cardiovascular Therapeutics.
Acneiform Eruptions Observed After Vemurafenib Treatment
MONDAY, Aug. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Acneiform eruptions due to the BRAF kinase inhibitor (BRAFi) vemurafenib in a patient with multiple metastatic melanoma lesions are described in a case report published online Aug. 11 in the Journal of Dermatology.
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Nighttime Sleep Disturbance Common in Chronic Pain
MONDAY, Aug. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Individuals suffering from chronic pain frequently have nighttime sleep disturbance, and it might be exacerbated by opioid treatment, according to a study published online Aug. 22 in Anaesthesia.
Patients Lacking Straight Answers on Safety of E-Cigarettes
FRIDAY, Aug. 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Doctors disagree on the best way to answer patient questions about electronic cigarettes, according to a study published online Aug. 26 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
CDC: Synthetic Fentanyl a Major Factor in Opioid Overdose Deaths
FRIDAY, Aug. 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Deaths from overdoses of illicitly manufactured fentanyl have increased significantly in recent years, according to research published in the Aug. 26 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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In-Hospital Mortality Up With Weekend Admission in NSTEMI
FRIDAY, Aug. 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), weekend admission is associated with increased in-hospital mortality, according to a study published in the Sept. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Gliclazide Has Lowest Risk of Hypoglycemia of Newer SUs
FRIDAY, Aug. 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Of the newer generation sulfonylureas (SUs), gliclazide is associated with the lowest risk of hypoglycemia when added to metformin, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published online Aug. 3 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Intussusception Hospitalization Rate Up at Age 8 to 11 Weeks
THURSDAY, Aug. 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Children aged 8 to 11 weeks have an increased rate of intussusception hospitalization after introduction of rotavirus vaccine, according to a study published online Aug. 24 in Pediatrics.
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Ultrasonography Can Guide Drug Modification in Arthritis
THURSDAY, Aug. 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Ultrasonography can be useful for guiding modification of anti-rheumatic drugs and steroids for patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA), according to a study published online Aug. 19 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
Vonoprazan-Based Triple Tx Feasible for H. pylori
THURSDAY, Aug. 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The potassium-competitive acid blocker vonoprazan-based triple therapy seems safe and effective compared with conventional proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy as first-line treatment against Helicobacter pylori, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in the Journal of Digestive Diseases.
Marine Complex Supplement Beneficial in Male Hair Thinning
THURSDAY, Aug. 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A marine complex supplement is beneficial for men with thinning hair, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Cannabis Provides More Pain Relief for Men Than Women
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Men seem to exhibit greater cannabis-induced analgesia relative to women, according to a study published online Aug. 5 in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
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Metformin May Help Treatment-Associated Weight Gain in ASD
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Metformin may be effective in decreasing weight gain associated with atypical antipsychotic use in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a study published online Aug. 24 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Survival Up With Daratumumab in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma
TUESDAY, Aug. 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Daratumumab with bortezomib and dexamethasone is associated with longer progression-free survival in patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, according to a study published in the Aug. 25 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Steep Rise in U.S. Drug Prices Tied to Patent Monopolies
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Prescription drug prices are skyrocketing in the United States due in large part to government regulations, according to a study published in the Aug. 23/30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
CDC Urges Prevention, Early Recognition of Sepsis
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Many cases of life-threatening sepsis could be recognized and treated long before they cause severe illness or death, according to an Aug. 23 Vital Signs report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Favorable Outcomes for Vitiligo in Nivolumab-Treated Melanoma
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with advanced melanoma, vitiligo occurrence is associated with favorable clinical outcome during nivolumab treatment, according to a study published online Aug. 11 in the Journal of Dermatology.
Medication-Assisted Treatment Underused in Teen Opioid Addicts
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Resources should be increased to promote use of medication-assisted treatment of opioid addicted adolescents and young adults, according to a policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published online Aug. 22 in Pediatrics.
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Two Variants ID Cardiovascular Effect of Intensive Glycemic Tx
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24 2016 (HealthDay News) — Two genetic variants predict the cardiovascular effect of intensive glycemic control in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial, according to research published online Aug. 15 in Diabetes Care.
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Genetics May Help Identify Infection in Febrile Infants
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A quick genetic test might one day help doctors determine within hours whether an infant’s fever is from a virus or a serious bacterial infection, according to two studies published in the Aug. 23/30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Disease-Guided Approach Ups Specificity of Statin Treatment
TUESDAY, Aug. 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A disease-guided approach to statin eligibility can improve treatment specificity, according to a study published in the Aug. 30 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Metformin Linked to Increased Risk of Acute Dialysis in T2DM
TUESDAY, Aug. 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes, metformin is associated with about a 50 percent increase in the risk of acute dialysis compared to sulfonylureas, according to a study published online Aug. 18 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Repeated Antibiotic Use in Children May Contribute to T1DM
TUESDAY, Aug. 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Repeated treatments with antibiotics have been linked to the development of type 1 diabetes in mice, according to a study published online Aug. 22 in Nature Microbiology.
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Opt-Out Provisions Up Parent Support for HPV Requirement
MONDAY, Aug. 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Opt-out provisions increase parental support for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine school-entry requirements, according to a study published online Aug. 19 in Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Postnatal Steroids Tied to Higher Ocular Risk for Premature Infants
MONDAY, Aug. 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Postnatal corticosteroid use may increase premature infants’ risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), according to research published recently in the Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.
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Testosterone Solution Found Safe, Effective for Hypogonadal Men
MONDAY, Aug. 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Once-daily 2 percent testosterone solution (T-sol) is safe and effective for sex drive and energy in hypogonadal men, according to a study published online in The Journal of Urology.
ACA Has Increased Rx Drug Use, Cut Out-of-Pocket Spending
MONDAY, Aug. 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has increased prescription use and reduced out-of-pocket spending, according to a report published online Aug. 17 in Health Affairs.
Barrier-Specific Care Significantly Improves Glycemic Control
MONDAY, Aug. 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes, barrier categories to glycemic control include psychological/support, socioeconomic, and accessibility, and addressing these barriers improves glycemic control, according to a study published online Aug. 11 in Diabetes Care.
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Post-Op Doctor Shopping for One in Four With Nephrolithiasis
FRIDAY, Aug. 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Postoperative doctor shopping occurs in about one-quarter of patients with nephrolithiasis undergoing ureteroscopy, according to research published in the September issue of The Journal of Urology.
Inadequate Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Group B Strep Is Common
FRIDAY, Aug. 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Inadequate intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis for group B streptococci (GBS) is common, according to a study published in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Both Concomitant, Sequential Treatment Effective for H. pylori
FRIDAY, Aug. 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Both concomitant therapy and sequential therapy achieve high eradication rates as the first-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori in areas with high rates of clarithromycin resistance, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Antimicrobial Tx Duration Often Exceeds Recommendations
FRIDAY, Aug. 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Antimicrobials are often prescribed for a longer duration than recommended in guidelines, according to a study published online Aug. 16 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Better Overnight Glucose Levels With Closed-Loop Tx in T1DM
FRIDAY, Aug. 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, closed-loop therapy is associated with a greater percentage of time that overnight glucose levels are in the target range, compared with sensor-augmented pump therapy, according to a study published in the Aug. 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Calcium Supplements Tied to Dementia Risk in Older Women
THURSDAY, Aug. 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Taking calcium supplements to prevent osteoporosis may raise an older woman’s risk of dementia, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in Neurology.
Revascularization Tops Medical Rx for Intermittent Claudication
THURSDAY, Aug. 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with intermittent claudication (IC), revascularization interventions are more effective than medical interventions, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in JAMA Surgery.
Legal Issues Impact Delivery of Telehealth
THURSDAY, Aug. 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Telehealth technologies can allow delivery of high-quality care at a lower cost, especially in underserved areas, but there is currently no uniform legal approach to telehealth, hampering its provision, according to a Health Policy Brief published online Aug. 15 in Health Affairs.
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Full Med Adherence Reduces Costs for Patients With CVD
THURSDAY, Aug. 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Full adherence to guideline-recommended therapies is associated with a reduced rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and cost savings, according to a study published in the Aug. 23 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Obeticholic Acid Beneficial in Primary Biliary Cholangitis
THURSDAY, Aug. 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with primary biliary cholangitis, obeticholic acid is associated with a reduction in alkaline phosphatase levels, according to a study published in the Aug. 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Antipsychotic Use Doesn’t Up Congenital Malformations
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Use of antipsychotics (APs) in pregnancy does not appear to increase the risk for congenital malformations, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in JAMA Psychiatry.
β-Blockers Not Always Indicated for PCI Patients
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Clinicians might be overprescribing β-blocker medications to heart patients, according to research published in the Aug. 22 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
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Acetaminophen Appears Safe for Children With Mild Asthma
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Acetaminophen does not worsen asthma symptoms in young children, according to a study published in the Aug. 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abaloparatide Reduces Fracture Risk in Women With Osteoporosis
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, an experimental drug appears to reduce the risk of bone fractures better than teriparatide or a placebo, according to a study published in the Aug. 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
PCSK9 Inhibitor Use Not Found to Be Cost-Effective
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor use is not cost-effective, according to a study published in the Aug. 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Early Intensification of Tx Speeds Attainment of A1C Goals
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, early intensification of therapy after metformin failure is associated with more rapid attainment of hemoglobin A1c (A1C) goals, according to a study published online Aug. 12 in Diabetes Care.
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Antenatal Steroids Don’t Cut Morbidity in Preterm Twins
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Antenatal administration of corticosteroids is not associated with a reduction in the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm twins, according to research published in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Physician-Perceived Frailty Tied to Warfarin Discontinuation
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Physician-perceived frailty and low life expectancy are the main reasons for warfarin discontinuation in elderly patients, according to a study published online July 29 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
OnabotulinumtoxinA Effect Lasts in Overactive Bladder
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — OnabotulinumtoxinA treatment is safe and effective for long-term treatment of overactive bladder syndrome, according to a study published in the September issue of The Journal of Urology.
Large Trial Proposed to Compare HCTZ, Chlorthalidone
TUESDAY, Aug. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A large randomized trial is being developed to compare the effectiveness of hydrochlorothiazide with chlorthalidone in Veterans Affairs (VA) patients, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online Aug. 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Antimicrobial Resistance to Carbapenems Increasing
TUESDAY, Aug. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Antimicrobial resistance to carbapenems has increased, and consumption of antibiotics, especially carbapenems, is associated with antimicrobial resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, according to a study published online Aug. 11 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine No Better Than Inactivated
TUESDAY, Aug. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Immunizing children with intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) does not appear to provide better protection against influenza than inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), according to a study published online Aug. 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Thrombocytopenia Up With Use of Phosphate-Buffered Tirofiban
TUESDAY, Aug. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute coronary syndrome, phosphate-buffered tirofiban, but not citrate-buffered tirofiban, is associated with an increased risk of thrombocytopenia, according to a study published in the Aug. 22 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
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Taking Acetaminophen While Pregnant May Raise Risk of ADHD
MONDAY, Aug. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Pregnant women who take acetaminophen might raise the risk that their child will develop behavioral problems such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to research published online Aug. 15 in JAMA Pediatrics.
DAPT Use Variable in Patients With A-Fib at Risk of Stroke
MONDAY, Aug. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with atrial fibrillation at moderate to high risk of stroke, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) use is variable among those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), according to a study published in the Aug. 22 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
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Topical Timolol Effective, Safe for Infantile Hemangioma
MONDAY, Aug. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with infantile hemangioma (IH), topical timolol maleate is effective and safe, according to a study published online Aug. 15 in Pediatrics.
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OCT1, SERT Genes Play Role in Metformin Intolerance
MONDAY, Aug. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The interaction between the organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) and the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) seems to play a role in metformin intolerance, according to a study published online Aug. 4 in Diabetes Care.
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Interferon-Free, Tailored Tx Beneficial in HCV-Associated MC
MONDAY, Aug. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is beneficial for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) vasculitis, according to a study published online Aug. 2 in Hepatology.
Arhalofenate Beats Allopurinol for Gout Flares
MONDAY, Aug. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Arhalofenate (800 mg) is safe and significantly decreases gout flares compared to allopurinol (300 mg), according to a study published online July 27 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Vaginal Brachytherapy Cuts Mortality in Early Uterine Cancer
MONDAY, Aug. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For women with surgically staged IA or IB endometrial adenocarcinoma, use of vaginal brachytherapy (VB) is associated with a reduction in mortality, according to a study published online Aug. 10 in Cancer.
Liraglutide Added to Capped Insulin Reduces Hemoglobin A1c
MONDAY, Aug. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Liraglutide added to capped insulin is associated with reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, and insulin requirements, according to a study published online Aug. 4 in Diabetes Care.
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Venetoclax Monotherapy Active in AML With Adverse Features
FRIDAY, Aug. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In patients with high-risk relapsed/refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or untreated AML unfit for intensive chemotherapy, the highly selective, oral small-molecule B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (BCL2) inhibitor venetoclax is active, according to a study published online Aug. 12 in Cancer Discovery.
Grapefruit-Midazolam Interaction Varies With Juice Characteristics
FRIDAY, Aug. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The interaction between grapefruit juice and midazolam varies based on grapefruit juice-related characteristics such as the amount of furanocoumarin, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Topical Iodine Can Cause Overestimation of Blood Glucose
FRIDAY, Aug. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Use of topical iodine can cause overestimation of blood glucose (BG) readings, according to a case report published online Aug. 8 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
One-Third of Patients Don’t Retain Important Warfarin Info
FRIDAY, Aug. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Just over two-thirds of patients retain an “acceptable” amount of key information following warfarin counseling, according to a small study published online Aug. 6 in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.
Greater Drop in Hemoglobin A1c With Empagliflozin + Metformin
FRIDAY, Aug. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Twenty-four weeks of empagliflozin + metformin correlates with a significantly greater reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) compared with once-daily empagliflozin or twice-daily metformin, according to a study published online Aug. 4 in Diabetes Care.
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Long-Term Benefit Seen for Early Treatment of MS Symptoms
FRIDAY, Aug. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients who receive early treatment for symptoms consistent with the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) are about one-third less likely to eventually be diagnosed with MS than participants whose treatment is delayed, according to a study published online Aug. 10 in Neurology.
ESR1 Mutations Tied to Worse Survival in Metastatic Breast CA
THURSDAY, Aug. 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC), estrogen receptor α (ESR1) mutations are prevalent and associated with shorter overall survival, according to a study published online Aug. 11 in JAMA Oncology.
CA-125 Strategy Cuts Death, Readmission in Heart Failure
THURSDAY, Aug. 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients discharged with acute heart failure (AHF), antigen carbohydrate 125-guided therapy (CA125-strategy) is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of one-year death or readmission for AHF, according to a study published online Aug. 10 in JACC: Heart Failure.
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Polyethylene Glycol 3350 Doesn’t Cut Time to Bowel Movement
THURSDAY, Aug. 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For women undergoing urogynecologic surgery, addition of polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG3350) to docusate sodium does not reduce the time to first bowel movement, according to a study published in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Tx Response No Different for Migalastat, Placebo in Fabry’s
THURSDAY, Aug. 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with Fabry’s disease, the percentage of patients with response at six months does not differ for those treated with the oral pharmacologic chaperone migalastat or with placebo, according to a study published in the Aug. 11 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Alitretinoin Cuts Chronic Hand Eczema Severity
THURSDAY, Aug. 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Alitretinoin treatment aids in normalizing expression of barrier genes and proteins in patients with chronic hand eczema (CHE), according to a study published online Aug. 2 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Risk of Post-Op Opioid Abuse Deemed Low for Elderly Patients
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Opioid abuse arises in only a very small fraction — less than half of 1 percent — of cases involving surgical patients aged 65 or older, according to a research letter published online Aug. 10 in JAMA Surgery.
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Many U.S. Hospitals Offer Language Services
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Overall, 68.8 percent of hospitals offer language services, with the proportion increasing with level of need, according to research published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
Counterfeit Alprazolam Cut With Fentanyl Can Be Fatal
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — At least one San Francisco-area individual died and eight more were treated in the emergency department in late 2015 after taking counterfeit alprazolam (Xanax) tablets that had been cut with fentanyl, according to a case report published online Aug. 8 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Many Patients Don’t Reach Target Dose of Atomoxetine
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of patients receiving atomoxetine (ATX), especially those receiving ATX monotherapy, do not reach the recommended dose of 80 mg/day (ATX ≥80), according to a study published online July 31 in CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics.
IV Immunoglobulin Use Up in Interstitial Lung Disease
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is increasingly being used for interstitial lung disease (ILD), despite a lack of evidence for its use, according to research published online Aug. 2 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
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Antifibrotics Up Outcomes After Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implant
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Mitomycin C (MMC) and 5-flurouracil (5-FU) improve outcomes following Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation, according to a study published online Aug. 4 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
Addition of Dapagliflozin Improves Glycemia in T1DM
TUESDAY, Aug. 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the addition of dapagliflozin to insulin and liraglutide is associated with significant improvement in glycemia and weight loss, according to a study published online Aug. 4 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism .
Low Initial Dose, No Refills Can Help Prevent Opioid Dependency
TUESDAY, Aug. 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients who are first-time users of opioids should be prescribed a small dose without refills to reduce the risk of long-term use and possible addiction, according to a study published online Aug. 2 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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Hydroxycitrate Promising for Kidney Stone Prevention
TUESDAY, Aug. 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Hydroxycitrate, a natural fruit extract available as a dietary supplement, may dissolve a key component of kidney stones, potentially offering a new prevention tool against the condition, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in Nature.
Recs Developed for Neoadjuvant Chemo in Ovarian Cancer
TUESDAY, Aug. 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been developed for neoadjuvant chemotherapy use for newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian cancer. The clinical practice guideline was published online Aug. 8 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
hs-CRP Predicts Depression Treatment Response in T1DM
TUESDAY, Aug. 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Higher baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is associated with less treatment-linked improvement in depression in patients with type 1 diabetes, according to a study published online Aug. 3 in Diabetes Care.
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Soy Isoflavones Beneficial in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
TUESDAY, Aug. 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), soy isoflavones improve metabolic status, according to a study published online Aug. 4 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Elbasvir-Grazoprevir Effective for HCV With Opioid-Agonist Tx
TUESDAY, Aug. 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Elbasvir-grazoprevir is effective for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) receiving opioid-agonist therapy (OAT), according to a study published online Aug. 9 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Many Still Prescribe Concomitant (Es)omeprazole, Clopidogrel
MONDAY, Aug. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Advice of regulatory authorities released in 2009 and 2010 regarding safety concerns for concomitant use of clopidogrel and certain proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) was partially followed, according to a study published in the August issue of Pharmacology Research & Perspectives.
Readmission Rates Up for Seniors With Low Access to Pharmacies
MONDAY, Aug. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Limited access to pharmacies may be one reason hospital readmission is more common among older patients in rural, remote, or smaller communities, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association.
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FDA Approves First Generic Version of Tamiflu
MONDAY, Aug. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The first generic version of the flu medication Tamiflu has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Pioglitazone Cuts Diabetes Risk After Ischemic Stroke, TIA
FRIDAY, Aug. 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For insulin-resistant patients with recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, pioglitazone is associated with reduced risk of diabetes, according to a study published online July 27 in Diabetes Care.
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Statin Use Tied to Reduced Risk of Parkinson’s in Diabetes
THURSDAY, Aug. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with diabetes, statin use is associated with reduced incidence of Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a study published online July 29 in the Annals of Neurology.
Increase in Evidence-Based Practice for Children With ADHD
THURSDAY, Aug. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — More Medicaid-covered children are receiving treatments that conform to practice standards for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including the use of combined medication and psychotherapy, according to a study published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
Adalimumab Effective for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
THURSDAY, Aug. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, adalimumab is associated with higher clinical response rates, according to a study published in the Aug. 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Opioid-Related Insurance Claims Rise 3,000 Percent
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The number of private health insurance claims for Americans addicted to opioids and heroin rose 3,203 percent from 2007 to 2014, according to a Fair Health report.
Spending on Compounded Drugs Skyrocketing
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Government spending on compounded drugs has skyrocketed, raising concerns of fraud and overbilling, according to a report published by Kaiser Health News.
House Dust Mite Immunotherapy Effective for Allergic Rhinitis
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), house dust mite (HDM) sublingual immunotherapy is effective and seems safe, according to a study published online July 29 in Allergy.
Plant-Derived Compounds Show Potent Anti-Inflammatory Effects
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Two specific plant-derived compounds may be effective in treating inflammation and pain, according to a study published online July 27 in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
Third Dose of MMR Vaccine Can Help Control Mumps Outbreaks
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A third dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended in cases of mumps outbreak in which transmission is sustained despite high two-dose MMR coverage, according to research published in the July 29 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Targeted Therapies Beneficial in KRAS-Mutated NSCLC
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Targeted therapies that do not contain erlotinib can be beneficial for patients with KRAS-mutated (KRAS mut+) advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to a study published online Aug. 1 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
BRAF Inhibitors May Accelerate Wound Healing
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Topical application of BRAF inhibitors may accelerate healing of skin wounds, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in Nature Communications.
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Vasopressin Doesn’t Cut Kidney Failure-Free Days in Septic Shock
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Among adults with septic shock, early use of vasopressin does not improve the number of kidney failure-free days versus norepinephrine, according to a study published in the Aug. 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
High Doses of Omega-3s May Help Healing After Acute MI
TUESDAY, Aug. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients who take high doses of omega-3 fatty acids for six months show improved heart function and less scarring, according to a study published in the Aug. 2 issue of Circulation.
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Liraglutide Not Beneficial in Advanced Heart Failure
TUESDAY, Aug. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Liraglutide (Victoza) doesn’t appear to improve heart function in patients with advanced heart failure, according to a study published in the Aug. 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Physician Reviews Approaches to Treating Opioid-Use Disorders
TUESDAY, Aug. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Different approaches to the treatment of opioid-use disorders are addressed in an article published in the July 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Biosimilar and Reference TNF-α Inhibitors Comparable
TUESDAY, Aug. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Biosimilar and reference tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors appear to be appropriately interchangeable, according to a review published online Aug. 2 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Bleeding Risk Up With Aspirin After Lower GI Bleeding
TUESDAY, Aug. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with a history of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, continuation of aspirin is associated with increased risk of recurrent bleeding, but reduced risk of cardiovascular events and death, according to a study published in the August issue of Gastroenterology.
Predictors ID’d for Switching to Active Tx in Prostate Cancer
TUESDAY, Aug. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For men with low-risk prostate cancer, factors such as ethnicity influence patient decision to pursue active treatment during active surveillance, according to a study published online in The Journal of Urology.
August Designated National Immunization Awareness Month
MONDAY, Aug. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In order to remind adults of the importance of immunizations throughout life, August is being recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month, according to a report from the American College of Physicians (ACP).
European Countries Implementing Cost-Sharing
MONDAY, Aug. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — European health systems are requiring an increase in cost-sharing measures for patients 50 years of age and older, according to research published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
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