Skin & Allergy News articles from July 2003

Skin & Allergy News archives from July 2003

Monkeypox: threat of skin infections. (From Africa to North America).
July 1, 2003... Like severe acute respiratory syndrome and West Nile virus before it, the monkeypox virus outbreak in the upper Midwest offered more evidence that emerging infectious diseases no longer respect national, or even continental, boundaries. ...

Survey shows new derms don't desert 'Medical' practice: women, parents may work fewer hours, but the work-hours gender gap is closing. (Residency Graduates).
July 1, 2003... MIAMI BEACH -- Parenting status and gender have the greatest influence on the number of hours young dermatologists work per week, according to an anonymous survey of dermatology residency graduates. But the belief that new graduates are...

Fast-track clinic speeds dx of suspicious lesions: patients seen in 2 weeks vs. 2-3 months. (Feasible and Effective).
July 1, 2003... MIAMI BEACH -- A fast-track mole clinic at the University of Pittsburgh cut wait times for appointments for patients with suspicious lesions from months to weeks, according to a study presented by Dr. Larisa Geskin. Select patients are now...

New photodynamic tx works for actinic keratoses and BCC. (Methyl Aminolevulinate Plus Red Light).(basal cell carcinoma)
July 1, 2003... SEVILLE, SPAIN -- A new form of photodynamic therapy using methyl aminolevulinate was as effective as standard therapy for actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinomas in a series of phase 111 trials, Dr. Peter Foley said at the Ninth World...

Monkeypox clues far different from varicella or smallpox. (Scattered Lesions at Varying Stages).
July 1, 2003... The first case of monkeypox virus infection] to be identified in the United States did not fool Dr. John W. Melski into first mistaking it for chickenpox, or cause him undue alarm that it was smallpox. The presentation of the 4-year-old...

Top 10 causes of death in the U.S., 2000. (Data Watch).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Top 10 Causes of Death In the U.S., 2000 % of 2000 Total Deaths Heart disease 710,760 29.6 Malignant neoplasms 553,091 23.0...

Smallpox Vaccination Program questioned by local health officials. (Two Groups Call for Pause).
July 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Local health officials took critical aim recently at the Bush administration's effort to vaccinate health care providers for smallpox to prepare for a potential outbreak, and two influential health policy advisory organizations...

Valacydovir backed to cut spread of genital herpes. (FDA Panel Recommendation).
July 1, 2003... GAITHERSBURG, Mo.-- A federal advisory panel has recommended that suppressive therapy with valacyclovir be approved for reducing the risk of genital herpes transmission from infected to uninfected sexual partners. The Food and Drug...

Dermatologists work harder, make more money. (1999-2002 Survey).
July 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Dermatologists continued to see more patients and collect more money per patient in 2002, a trend that tracked with steady increases since 1999, reported Bruce S. Mailer at the annual meeting of the American Academy of...

Residents enter rosy job market with starting salaries at $180,000. (In demand).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- The average 2002 graduate of a dermatology residency program received seven job offers, up from four in 2000, Dr. David Pariser said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. "Low-end" starting salaries...

Higher survival reported for thin melanomas. (Rate Underestimated).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SEVILLE, SPAIN -- The survival rate of patients with stage 1 melanoma may have been underestimated in the 2001 staging guidelines of the American Joint Committee on Cancer. Those guidelines estimated a 10-year survival rate of 87.9% for...

Imiquimod up for FDA approval to treat BCC, AK. (Phase III Trial Results).(basal cell carcinoma; actinic keratosis)
July 1, 2003... SEVILLE, SPAIN -- Imiquimad, a topical immune stimulator, showed efficacy for treating superficial basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis in phase III trials. Based on these results, 3M, which makes imiquimod (Aldara), has filed...

Dramatic growth seen in rate of new melanoma cases. (6% Increase per Year).
July 1, 2003... SEVILLE, SPAIN -- The incidence rate of melanoma is increasing faster than for any other cancer, Dr. Darrell S. Rigel reported at the Ninth World Congress on Cancers of the Skin. The pace of the increase has been dramatic, is apparently...

FDA clears CoolTouch laser as acne/acne scar tx. (Third Light-Based Treatment).
July 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration has cleared a third entrant in the growing field of light-based acne treatment. In May, the FDA cleared the CoolTouch 1,320-nm laser system for treating back acne and acne scars, making it the second laser...

FDA okays omalizumab for allergic asthma. (Targets Immunoglobulin E).
July 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration has approved omalizumab as a treatment for people aged 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma. Omalizumab, the first biotechnology product approved for asthma and the first product...

Western U.S. is next frontier for West Nile virus. (Summer Forecast).
July 1, 2003... West Nile virus may march westward during the summer of 2003, promulgating disease in record numbers in the Great Plains, the West, and Alaska, two Harvard University investigators predict. In the meantime, physicians are urged to stay...

Should industry fund dermatology residency training programs? (Pro & Con).
July 1, 2003... [YES] Today, by anyone's measure, we have a shortage of dermatologists. It boils down to supply and demand. Up to 25% fewer dermatologists are being trained in dermatology residency programs than there were just 5 or 10 years ago, partly...

Letters.(About Your Wait)('Dr. Doormat' Is In)(Tobacco Ad Cessation)(PUVA and Melanoma Risk)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2003... About Your Wait Dr. Alan Rockoff struck a nerve with his column "Remember That It's Not About You" (Under My Skin, May 2003 p. 13). Like him, I'd rather not have return visits from easily agitated patients, especially if it's because...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
July 1, 2003... In "New Rosacea Gel May Outperform Metronidazole" (May 2003, p. 24), those patients who were treated with metronidazole in the randomized, double-blind trial of 251 patients had a 42% decrease in facial erythema, not a 56% decrease. The...

Look on my works, and Despair. (Guest Editorial).
July 1, 2003... The first prescription known, written in hieroglyphics in the Ebers papyrus, was for a skin problem. So the very first prescription preserved in history was written by someone who was practicing dermatology What was that prescription for? It...

Reunionsis. (Under my Skin).
July 1, 2003... It's a long way to Boston from Tiraspol, which sits midway between the Moldovan capital Kishinev and the port of Odessa, down on the Black Sea. Boris hasn't been there in years, but it's hard to pick up English when you're getting on, so...

Public health is unprepared. (Guest Editorial).(United States is unprepared for severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak)
July 1, 2003... The Centers or Disease Control and Prevention has performed admirably to stem a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in the United States. Despite the strong federal response, the United States is ill prepared to cope with emerging...

Talk Back Online.
July 1, 2003... TALK BACK ONLINE Would a 4.2% Medicare pay cut promt you to reduce the number of Medicare patients you treat? (May 2003, p. 3) No 44% Yes 56% To Talk Back, visit www.eskinandallergynews.com Note: Table made from...

Port-wine stains call for longer-wavelength laser. (Greater Penetration).
July 1, 2003... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Laser treatment of port-wine stains may be on the verge of an important improvement, according to investigators at the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. The standard laser for treating...

Stem cell material gives slight edge for leg ulcers. (Chronic, Recalcitrant Cases).(evaluation of Epidex)
July 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- A new type of autologous skin substitute made from cells of the outer root sheath of anagen hair follicles was slightly more effective than split-thickness mesh grafting in a trial of 77 patients with recalcitrant, chronic venous or...

Allogeneic skin doesn't appear to aid surgical wound cosmesis. (Decreased Pain).(evaluation of Apligraf skin substitute)
July 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- Use of the allogeneic skin substitute Apligraf does not appear to have significant benefit in treating surgical wounds, according to a study presented at a meeting of the Wound Healing Society. The study was designed to show...

Vacuum-assisted closure aids healing of difficult wounds. (80% success Rate in the Clinic).
July 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- Vacuum-assisted closure can be a very helpful adjunct to wound care in the clinical setting, producing successful healing in more than 80% of difficult cases, Karen Overall said at a meeting of the Wound Healing Society. In a...

Localized UVB treatment can trigger repigmentation of scars. (Temporary Effect).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Localized UVB treatment of scars and striae can induce significant repigmentation, Dr. Macrene R. Alexiades-Armenakas said at the annual meeting of the Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. In a trial of 25 patients...

Immunosuppressive Tx may get boost from adjunctive use of ECP. (Promising for Graft-vs.-Host Disease).(extracorporeal photophoresis )
July 1, 2003... SEVILLE, SPAIN -- Extracorporeal photophoresis has shown promise as an adjunctive immunosuppressive treatment, but its efficacy must still be proved in large-scale trials. The treatment, which uses a blood-separation protocol plus UV...

Laser may beat blue light for photodynamic therapy for AKs. (56% Entirely Clear at 8 Months).(actinic keratosis)
July 1, 2003... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- A laser might be better than fluorescent blue light when performing photodynamic therapy for actinic keratosis, Dr. Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and...

Old approaches don't give way to new tricks for actinic keratosis Tx. (5-Fluorouracil, Cryosurgery).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Despite the advantages of new treatment methods for actinic keratoses, dermatologists hold on to two procedures that are decades old-- topical 5-fluorouracil and liquid nitrogen cryosurgery. The reasons were revealed in a...

Study: Botox plus Restylane beat Restylane alone. (Glabellar Fold Injections).
July 1, 2003... PHOENIX, ARIZ. -- Preliminary data show that a combination of botulinum toxin type A and synthetic hyaluronic acid injected in the glabellar fold produces better, faster, and longer-lasting results than hyaluronic acid alone, Dr. Jean...

Hyaluronic acid fillers outlast collagen. (Perlane may Last Longest).
July 1, 2003... PHOENIX, ARIZ. -- Perlane and Restylane, two of the new temporary cosmetic fillers that could enter the U.S. market this year, appear to last significantly longer than competing products, Dr. Alastair Carruthers said at a clinical dermatology...

IPL reduced hair count by 40% in four treatments. (Two Devices Compared).(intense pulsed light removes hair)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Intense pulsed light treatment for hair removal produces about a 40% reduction in hair count with four treatments, according to a study comparing two devices. The study found that both devices compared--the EpiLight IPL...

Cryosurgery stops nonmalignant lesions cold. (Tips and Tools).
July 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS -- Several types of nonmalignant lesions respond well to cryosurgery, Dr. Ronald R. Lubritz said at a dermatology update meeting sponsored by Tulane University Nonmalignant lesions don't require freezes of extensive depth or...

Staged flaps give repair option for Mohs defects. (Paramedian Forehead, Melolabial Flaps).
July 1, 2003... SEVILLE, SPAIN - Staged flaps can be an effective option for repairing large facial defects following Mohs micrographic surgery, Dr. Hayes B. Gladstone said at the Ninth World Congress on Cancers of the Skin. Both paramedian forehead flaps...

Botox effective in headache prevention, treatment. (Two Retrospective Studies).
July 1, 2003... HONOLULU -- Botulinum toxin A (Botox) appears to be effective in preventing and treating several types of headache, according to two retrospective, open-label studies reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. The...

Help HIV patients avoid indignities of atrophy. (Benefits More Than Skin Deep).
July 1, 2003... New ORLEANS -- Facial fat transfers for patients with HIV lipodystrophy restore their spirits as well as their appearances, Dr. Richard N. Sherman said at a dermatology update sponsored by Tulane University. Patients who are treated for...

Nonablative lasers deliver modest success for acne scars. (Three Treatments).
July 1, 2003... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Nonablative laser treatment can improve acne scars, but it produces only a relatively modest softening, said Dr. Dina Yaghmai at the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Yaghmai and...

Early ASA has benefit in acute Kawasaki disease. (Low Dose vs. High Dose Questioned).(acetylsalicylic acid)
July 1, 2003... SNOWMASS, Cola. -- Thrombocytosis begins sooner in the course of Kawasaki disease than previously thought, so treatment should be initiated as early in the acute phase as possible, Dr. Rosie Scuccimarri said at an international conference on...

Behcet's syndrome may respond to infliximab. (Six Cases).
July 1, 2003... MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- Sustained use of the tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] inhibitor infliximab appears effective in the treatment of Behcet's syndrome, Dr. Cristina Estrach said at the annual meeting of the British Society for Rheumatology. ...

Ondansetron relieves pruritus from Anesthesia. (Ramdomized Trial).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... PHOENIX, ARIZ. -- Ondansetronhas a dose-related prophylactic effect in relieving pruritus associated with spinal apioids administered for labor analgesia. Patients who received 8 mg of ondansetron intravenously along with the standard...

Vitamin C derivative cleared more acne than clindamycin 1%. (Attacking Free Oxygen Radicals).
July 1, 2003... MIAMI BEACH -- Lotion containing an ascorbic acid derivative reduced acne vulgaris lesions more effectively than lotions containing 1% clindamycin or vehicle, according to the first study to compare the two treatments. Ascorbic acid, or...

Topical salicylic acid plus tacrolimus improved psoriasis. (Left-Right Comparison Trial).
July 1, 2003... MIAMI BEACH -- Salicylic acid 6% gel improved the penetration of topical tacrolimus and significantly improved some symptoms of psoriasis, according to a double-blind study. "We're always looking for new psoriasis therapies. Evidence has...

Single infusion of monoclonal antibody effective for psoriasis. (Phase I Study).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... MIAMI BEACH -- A single infusion of a monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-12 substantially improved psoriasis at all dosages in a phase I, open-label study. An antibody that blocks the action of the cytokine interleukin-12 has the...

FDA studies lymphoma risk from TNF blockers. (Causal Line Uncertain).(necrosis factor antagonist)
July 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration is continuing to investigate whether treatment with tumor necrosis factor antagonists increases lymphoma. While reports of lymphoma in patients treated with TNF blockers are rare, it is biologically...

NIOX. (New & Approved).(Nitric Oxide Test System from Aerocrine AB)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... (Nitric Oxide Test System, Aerocrine AB) The Food and Drug Administration cleared this first noninvasive exhalation test to assess patient response to anti-inflammatory asthma medications. * Recommended Dosage: The patient inhales air...

Tx noncompliance not uncommon in psoriasis. (Despite Patient's Claims).
July 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Psoriasis and lupus patients who swear they're taking their medication may not be, according to two studies on compliance presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Mark Goodfield and Dr....

Work with patients to improve their medication compliance. (Consider Why Medications Aren't Taken).
July 1, 2003... CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. -- Tosome extent, patients and physicians work at cross-purposes when it comes to medications, Dr. Steve Goldfinger said at a meeting on mental health sponsored by the University of Virginia. Given that, don't be...

CellCept may control severe atopic dermatitis. (Beat Methotrexate, Azathioprine).
July 1, 2003... MAUI, HAWAII -- Mycophenolate mofetil appears to have greater utility for control of severe atopic dermatitis than other more widely used systemic immuno-suppressants, Dr. Michael D. Tharp said at the annual Hawaii dermatology seminar sponsored...

Tacrolimus appears stronger than pimecrolimus in mild AD. (Still an Open Question).(atopic dermatitis)
July 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Many dermatologists suspect that tacrolimus is a more powerful agent than pimecrolimus in treating atopic dermatitis, but preapproval dinical trials for the two agents enlisted disparate patient populations, leaving the issue...

Atopic dermatitis: topical macrolactams vs. steroids. (Depends on Skin Lesions).
July 1, 2003... MAUI, HAWAII -- Just how do pimecrolimus cream and tacrolimus ointment stack up against topical steroids in terms of effectiveness in atopic dermatitis? Dr. Donald V Belsito gets that question from colleagues all the time because he has...

Cosmeceutical critique: chamomile.
July 1, 2003... Chamomile is one of the seven most commonly used medicinal herbs. Native to Western Europe, Western Asia, and India, and now abundant throughout North America, this sweet-scented plant has been recognized for its therapeutic properties since...

Supplements trigger potassium, alkaline phosphatase changes. (Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study).
July 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Significant alterations in laboratory values for potassium and alkaline phosphatase were seen in patients taking nutritional supplements, including gelatin and hyaluronic acid, in an 8-week pilot study. Mean serum...

Try narrow-band UVB Before PUVA for vitiligo treatment. (Cytokine Levels a Factor).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Elevated cytokine levels may be a major factor in the origin of vitiligo, and narrow-band UVB treatment should be tried before PUVA therapy Dr. Pearl E. Grimes said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology....

Tacrolimus works better with UVB for vitiligo. (New Use for Eczema Topical).
July 1, 2003... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Tacrolimus combined with localized UVB treatment can produce repigmentation in patients with vitiligo, Dr. Emil A. Tanghetti said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. "It's...

Small study defines alopecia areata patterns in children. (Clobetasol Propionate is Effective).
July 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- Results from the first study of alopecia areata in North American children suggest that high-potency clobetasol propionate is effective and does not appear to have long-term adverse clinical effects in this patient population, Dr....

Few use dermoscopy to diagnose dysplastic nevi. (Only 23% of U.S. Derms).
July 1, 2003... SEVILLE, SPAIN -- Less than a quarter of dermatologists in the United States use dermoscopy to assist in diagnosing dysplastic nevi, based on a survey completed by 448 dermatologists. This low level of dermoscopy use is "sad," Dr. Alfred W....

Skin cancer risk persists over time in PUVA-treated psoriasis patients. (155-Year Follow-Up).
July 1, 2003... MIAMI BEACH -- An increased risk for skin cancer persists in patients with psoriasis, even 15 years after cessation of PUVA treatment, according to a long-term study Stopping PUVA did not lower the risk for developing squamous cell...

Psoriasis linked to increased lymphoma risk. (Cohort Study).
July 1, 2003... MIAMI BEACH - People with psoriasis have a significantly increased risk of developing lymphoma, according to a cohort study. The pathophysiology of psoriasis suggests patients may be at higher risk for lymphoproliferative malignancies, Dr....

Lymphatic vessel area may predict melanoma's course. (New Prognostic Marker).
July 1, 2003... MIAMI. BEACH -- An increased number and density of lymphatic vessels inside melanoma tumors correlated with a higher risk of metastasis and a worse prognosis in a pilot study Tumors can excrete factors that promote growth of new lymphatic...

African Americans present with later-stage melanoma. (Planter Presentation Common).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Nearly a third of African American patients presented with stage III or IV melanoma, while fewer than 13% of white patients presented with late-stage disease in a 19-year retrospective review of records at Washington Hospital...

Differential diagnosis important for patients with pustulosis. (Most Cases are Drug Related).
July 1, 2003... MIAMI BEACH -- Clinical awareness of drugs that trigger acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis and a high degree of suspicion can aid differential diagnosis and prevent the switch of patients from one causative agent to another. A...

Intermittent, intense sun triggers nevi formation. (Childhood Holidays).
July 1, 2003... SEVILLE, SPAIN -- A child's sun exposure during holidays was the factor most strongly associated with the number of melanocytic nevi that the person has later in life, according to a study of 1,812 children in Germany. Determinants of the...

Histopathology doesn't tell all in dysplastic nevus. (A Clinical Decision).
July 1, 2003... PHOENIX, ARIZ. -- Don't expect the dermatopathologist or his report to tell you how you should manage a patient from whom you have removed a dysplastic nevus, Dr. Clay J. Cockerell said at a clinical dermatology conference. The decision...

BCC and SCC pose different threats. (Separate Diseases).(basal cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma)
July 1, 2003... SEVILLE, SPAIN -- Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are different types of skin cancers that shouldn't be lumped together, Dr. Robin Marks said at the Ninth World Congress on Cancers of the Skin. "By tradition we put them...

One basal cell carcinoma boosts risk for future cancers. (Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SEVILLE, SPAIN -- Patients with a first episode of basal cell carcinoma have a more than 10fold increased annual risk of developing a second, primary basal cell carcinoma, compared with the general population, Dr. Francisco Revenga reported in...

Immunization guidelines: Shots 2003 4.1. (Digital Assistance).
July 1, 2003... Overview: Shots 2003 is a free, easy-to-usc immunization reference guide for Palm OS handheld devices. Childhood and adult schedules are included, as well as immunization information relevant to particular medical conditions. Care providers at...

Smallpox vaccine reactions a scary prospect. (What to Tell Patients).
July 1, 2003... DENVER -- "Should I get vaccinated for smallpox?" Physicians report that an increasing number of patients are asking this question since the U.S. government launched a drive last year to vaccinate up to 450,000 health care workers and 10...

Redefining efficacy in chronic plaque psoriasis. (Practical Considerations in Biodermatology #1).
July 1, 2003... Evaluating psoriasis assessment tools Since its introduction, the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) has become one of the accepted standards for measuring psoriasis severity and treatment response in clinical trials. (1) A patient's...

Smoking may boost dermopathy risk in Graves' disease. (Small Study).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Patients with two of the most serious, manifestations of Graves disease--acropachy and dermopathy--are three times more likely to have a history of tobacco use and are five times more likely to be current smokers than patients with...

Drug update: treating menopausal vasomotor symptoms without hormones.
July 1, 2003... Many any menopausal symptoms don't need treatment. Up to 85% of perimenopausal women develop vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes or sweating; perhaps half of these women find their symptoms disturbing. Systemic hormone replacement...

Medicare officials defend local coverage policies. (Inequities and Inefficiencies).
July 1, 2003... BALTIMORE -- Federal agencies disagree about whether Medicare should continue to have two types of coverage policies: local coverage decisions that affect only a certain geographic area, and national coverage decisions that affect beneficiaries...

Residencies brace for new work hours. (July 1 Implementation).
July 1, 2003... Most residency programs will be able to comply with the new work hours that go into effect in July, but they'll have to make some adjustments. Dr. Ingrid Philibert, director of field activities with the Accreditation Council for Graduate...

And the winners are. (Policy & Practice).(American Academy of Dermatology elects new leaders)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... New leaders have been elected by the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Clay J. Cockerell, clinical professor of dermatology and pathology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas is AAD president-elect:...

How to handle difficult patient conversations. (Know Your Biases).
July 1, 2003... Los ANGELES -- If you're having a difficult conversation with a patient and someone is interfering, don't hesitate to remove that person from the room, even if that "someone" is a small child, Dr. Martha Bernadett advised at the annual meeting...

Take tips to tap the right public relations firm. (Promoting Your Practice).
July 1, 2003... Set goals and a budget before you hire a public relations firm to promote your practice, "otherwise it's going to be a scattershot effort," says Scott Farmelant, senior vice president of Boston-based Regan Communications Group, a full-service...

Bioterrorism resource. (Products).(Elsevier's PDxMD services)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... A bioterrorism reference center is available for subscribers to PDxMD, Elsevier's evidence-based electronic primary care information service. It includes diagnosis and treatment information related to the Centers for Disease Control and...

Heavyweight charting paper. (Products).(from Carstens)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... New heavyweight charting paper comes with predrilled binder holes and is designed to prevent fewer jams and misfeeds in copiers and printers. The 8.5-by-11-inch sheets have a reinforced edge and are available in 24 or 28 pounds. For more...

Women's Health campaign. (Products).(Digene Corp.'s "Putting Women's Health First")(www.puttingwomenshealthfirst.org)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... "Putting Women's Health First" is a campaign supported by Digene Corp., which markets tests for detecting human papillomavirus (HPV), and partners that include the National Cervical Cancer Coalition. The campaign educates women about cervical...

Herpes drug for HIV patients. (Products).(Valtrex (valacyclovir HCl) caplets)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Valtrex (valacyclovir HCl) caplets are indicated for the suppression of recurrent genital herpes in patients who are infected with HIV For more information, contact GlaxoSmithKline, 888-825-5249, www.Valtrex.com.

New HIV-1 drug dose. (Products).(Viracept (nelfinavir mesylate) now in 625-mg dosage)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Viracept (nelfinavir mesylate) has been approved in a 625-mg formulation. The new formulation cuts the number of pills that patients with HIV- 1 take, from five 250-mg tablets twice a day to two 625-mg tablets twice a day. For more information,...

Dry hand care. (Products).(Rough Hand Repair Ointment)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Rough Hand Repair Ointment is made for workers whose jobs or environments cause severe dryness of their hands. A 2-ounce tube sells for $10.95 and can last up to 6 months if used regularly, according to its maker. For more information, call...

Allergy Web site. (FYI).(Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc.)(www.allergy.com)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... A new Web site offers allergy sufferers and physicians facts about causes and symptoms of allergies, and ways to cope with them. Visitors can enter a virtual physician's waiting room to learn the differences between cold, flu, and allergy...