Drug Topics - May 19, 2008 - (Page 6) 6 DRUG TOPICS MAY 19, 2008 www.drugtopics.com > > >NEWS Roundup Boxed warning of serious infections added to Enbrel The manufacturers of etanercept (Enbrel, Amgen/ Wyeth), in coordination with the Food & Drug Administration, have updated the product' s prescribing information to warn healthcare professionals of the potential for serious infections while patients are receiving the therapy. Both bacterial sepsis and tuberculosis are among the serious infections reported. Clinicians are advised to screen patients for latent tuberculosis prior to initiating therapy and monitor for signs of infection during treatment. Etanercept should be discontinued in patients who develop a serious infection. The Dear Healthcare Professional Letter can be accessed on the FDA Web site at www.fda. gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#Enbrel. for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and was previously approved for lowering LDL-C in patients with primary hyperlipidemia. The Road Maps provide information on setting up individualized treatment regimens that enable patients to achieve hemoglobin A1C glycemic goals. The regimens are based on presenting A1C in treatment-naive patients or the current A1C in treated patients and stress the need to change therapy if the A1C goal is not met within three months. Self Care National Products Association offers certification to define natural products In order to help consumers know which personal care products are really "natural," the Natural Products Association announced a new certification program which defines natural and includes an easily identified seal. Shoppers can expect the seal to begin appearing on certified personal care products in the coming months. Under the new program, products must follow strict guidelines set out by the Natural Products Association to merit bearing the seal. PhRMA: Louisiana is a hotspot for cancer The Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America has released a new report on medicines in the pipeline, which found that there are a record 750 new medicines to treat cancer in development. The report was unveiled in Louisiana, in time for National Cancer Minority Awareness Week, because the state has the highest death rate from cancer in the United States and African-American men in Louisiana have the highest death rate and shortest survival rate in the country for all cancers combined. Spine-health.com poll shows Advil, Aleve most used for back pain relief Half of back pain sufferers reach for Advil or Aleve for relief, according to an online poll conducted by Spinehealth.com, a leading Web site for those with back problems. The poll, which ran from March to April 2008, asked 899 consumers which over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever they prefer for treating back pain or neck pain. The respondents were offered the choice of several brand-name OTC pain relievers and a write-in option. Ibuprofen in general (Advil, Motrin, and Nuprin combined) accounted for 39% of the responses. Twenty-six percent of the respondents said Advil (ibuprofen) is their first choice for OTC pain relief, while 24% selected Aleve (naproxen). Tylenol (acetaminophen) was chosen by 11%, and aspirin was selected by 5%. "Other" accounted for 15% and responses ranged from various prescription drugs to no alternative specified. ADHD drug cleared for adults as well Approved in July 2007 to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in kids six to 12 years of age, Shire plc' s Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) is now cleared for adults as well. Shire said this makes the product the first and only once-daily prodrug stimulant approved to treat adults with ADHD. The company added that new dosage strengths of 20 mg, 40 mg, and 60 mg will be available this summer. Welchol added to ACE/AACE Diabetes Road Maps The American College of Endocrinologists (ACE) and the American Association of Endocrinologists (AACE) have included colesevelam (Welchol, Daiichi Sankyo), a bile acid sequestrant, as an option for treating patients with Type 2 diabetes in their Road Maps to Achieve Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The drug, which is indicated for use in combination with metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin, was approved by the Food & Drug Administration in January 2008 IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES/Mark Andersen http://www.drugtopics.com http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#Enbrel http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#Enbrel http://Spine-health.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Drug Topics - May 19, 2008 Drug Topics - May 19, 2008 Contents How Drug Plans Can Survive Their Part D Audit Pharmacists Key to Medication Therapy Management Success Latest News Roundup Drug Topics - May 19, 2008 Drug Topics - May 19, 2008 - Contents (Page 1) Drug Topics - May 19, 2008 - Contents (Page 2) Drug Topics - May 19, 2008 - How Drug Plans Can Survive Their Part D Audit (Page 3) Drug Topics - May 19, 2008 - Pharmacists Key to Medication Therapy Management Success (Page 4) Drug Topics - May 19, 2008 - Latest News Roundup (Page 5) Drug Topics - May 19, 2008 - Latest News Roundup (Page 6)
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