Family Practice News articles from May 2003

Family Practice News archives from May 2003

MIs plummet after smoking ban. (Montana Law Shows Public Health Impact).(myocardial infarction, the medical term for heart attack)
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- A ban on smoking in public places in Helena, Mont., led to an immediate 60% drop in the incidence of myocardial infarctions. The surprising finding was observable because of a unique geographic and health care situation--all...

Estrogen ring treats hot flashes, vaginal symptoms: 'the release is so controlled that the blood levels are stable over several days'. (Lasts for 3 Months).
May 1, 2003... The first intravaginal estrogen product approved to treat hot flashes and vaginal symptoms of menopause will hit the market next month. Femring received federal Food and Drug Administration approval in March for treatment of moderate to...

Drug pipeline grows fat with weight-loss drugs: As many as 100 agents are in development. (Taming an Epidemic).
May 1, 2003... Never before, perhaps, have so many novel obesity drugs been in the pipeline. One of those drugs, Axokine, recently received fast-track approval status from the Food and Drug Administration--a first for an obesity drug. The significance of...

Tobacco settlement money not going for tobacco prevention. (Funds used to Close Budget Gaps).
May 1, 2003... ST. LOUIS -- When the nation's top tobacco companies agreed to a settlement that would pay 46 states hundreds of billions of dollars in 1998, policy-makers and antismoking advocates hailed the deal as a tool to drastically reduce smoking and...

'Functional oil' diet helps reduce fat, maintain lipids. (Small Study).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- A diet rich in "functional" oil reduces adiposity while improving lipid profiles, Marie-Pierre St-Onge, Ph.D., said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association. This functional oil consists of...

CCB-based therapy rivals [beta]-blocker approach. (New-Onset Diabetes Lower with CCB).(calcium channel blocker)
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- A calcium channel blocker-based antihypertensive treatment strategy in patients with coronary artery disease is as effective as a 3-blocker-based strategy in preventing death, acute MI, and stroke-and significantly better at...

Infection control key to limiting spread of SARS. (Travel History Essential for Diagnosis).(severe acute respiratory syndrome)
May 1, 2003... Standard infection control precautions may have been key in minimizing the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome in the United States, said Dr. Irwin M. Berlin, chief of pulmonary critical care at Elmhurst (N.Y.) Hospital Center. ...

SARS in pregnant women: same treatments, but avoid tetracycline. (Overseas Tx Pose Threats to Fetus).(severe acute respiratory syndrome)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not released specific recommendations for the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome, but encourages empiric therapy to cover organisms associated with any community-acquired pneumonia...

High-risk HPV test approved for screening use. (Women over Age 30).(human papilomavirus)
May 1, 2003... A test that had been used exclusively to detect high-risk human papilomavirus in abnormal cervical smears can now be used to screen for high-risk HPV in women over age 30 who are undergoing a routine Pap test. The Hybrid Capture 2...

Rheumatoid arthritis tied to increase in MI, CHF in women. (Inflammation Suspected to Play Role).(myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure)
May 1, 2003... Women with rheumatoid arthritis have a twofold higher risk of myocardial infarction than women without the autoimmune disease, according to evidence from the Nurses' Health Study. But the jury is still out on what that higher risk should...

Saving the safety net.(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... Politicians have long debated the need to fix our health insurance system. But if we are to meaningfully address the present crisis in health care costs, access, and quality, we must be willing to directly challenge the very underpinnings of...

Correction.(to 'Treatment Protocol for Community-Acquired MRSA,' in March 1, 2003 issue)(Correction Notice)
May 1, 2003... In "Treatment Protocol for Community-Acquired MRSA" (Mar. 1, 2003, p. 4), the reference to Bacriban should have been to mupirocin (Bactroban Nasal).

Do statins and ACE inhibitors have a class effect? (Pro & Con).
May 1, 2003... YES The drugs that make up each of these two classes, the statins and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, are similar. All statins have similar effects on serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and all ACE...

Atorvastatin nips events in normolipidemic HT. (Ascot Study Results).(hypertension)
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Atorvastatin at 10 mg/day reduced cardiovascular events in a large randomized primary prevention trial of well controlled hypertensive patients without dyslipidemia. In the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT), the...

Ximelagatran beats warfarin for stroke prevention. (Less Bleeding).
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Results of the largest-ever clinical trial of stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation show compelling advantages for ximelagatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, over warfarin. Compared to warfarin, ximelagatran (Exanta) was...

Fondaparinux matches hepadns for venous thromboembolism. (Less Antibody-Mediated Thrombocytopenia).
May 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- Fondaparinux, a synthetic anticoagulant, appears to be as safe and effective as a low-molecular-weight heparin or unfractionated heparin for the initial treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism, Dr. Harry R. Buller said...

Specialist care said best for non--ST-elevation MI. (Primary Care Tied to Greater Mortality).(myocardial infarction, the medical term for heart attack)
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Patients with a non--ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome are twice as likely to die in-hospital if cared for primarily by an internist or family physician as compared to a cardiologist, according to data from a large national...

Renal insufficiency tied to deaths in coronary patients. (Powerful Independent Predictor).
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Even mild renal dysfunction constitutes a powerful independent predictor of mortality following acute MI or unstable angina, Dr. Frederick A. Masoudi reported at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association. ...

Nighttime dosing approved for new diltiazem formulation. (Extra Morning Protection).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Bedtime dosing of a newly approved graded-release formulation of diltiazem provides extra protection to angina patients in the morning hours, when coronary event rates peak, Dr. Stephen P. Glasser said at the annual meeting of the...

NSAIDs look protective for esophageal cancer. (Metaanalysis of Observational Studies).
May 1, 2003... Frequent or intermittent use of either aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs appears to reduce the risk of developing esophageal cancer, according to a metaanalysis of observational studies. Any exposure to aspirin or NSAIDs...

Gastric Ca staging: evaluate 15 + lymph nodes. (New NCCN Guidelines).(cancer, National Comprehensive Cancer Network)
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD, FLA. -- Evaluation of a minimum of 15 lymph nodes is needed for proper staging of gastric cancer, according to updated guidelines presented at the annual conference of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. This change in...

Updated colon and rectal cancer guidelines. (NCCN Meeting).(National Comprehensive Cancer Network)
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD, FLA. -- New drugs and new approaches to treatment were highlighted in a presentation of updated colon and rectal cancer treatment guidelines at the annual conference of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Oxaliplatin, a...

Mixed pathology common with anal canal carcinoma. (Biopsy all Lesions).
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD, FLA. -- Anal carcinoma is limited mainly to the anal canal, but the various types of epithelium found in this area can harbor a number of different types of cancer, Dr. Paul F. Engstrom said at the annual conference of the National...

PET scans reveal more metastases in esophageal cancer patients. (Multidisciplinary Approach).
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD, FLA. -- Positron emission tomography has been shown to identify 15% more disease sites than clinical investigation or CT in patients with esophageal cancer, but for now its use in these patients remains optional, according to...

No consensus on HAART's threat to the heart. (Study of 22,468 HIV Patients).(highly active antiretroviral therapy)
May 1, 2003... BOSTON -- Treatment with certain highly active antiretroviral regimens progressively increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected patients over time, according to the results of a large, prospective observational study. Of...

Trial of efavirenz vs. nevirapine for HIV ends in a draw. (Multicenter, International Study).
May 1, 2003... BOSTON - Call it a draw. Neither nevirapine nor efavirenz emerged victorious in a head-to-head comparison of the safety and efficacy of the two nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in treatment-naive HIV-infected patients. The...

Tactics prevent aggression in dementia patients. (Identify Pattern, Triggers).
May 1, 2003... BALTIMORE -- Preventing aggression in patients with dementia may keep them out of institutions, Cynthia D. Steele said at a meeting on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias sponsored by Johns Hopkins University. Aggression is less likely...

Prompt intervention may slow Alzheimer's decline. (May Reduce Caregiver Burden).
May 1, 2003... HONOLULU -- Early and judicious treatment of dementia may slow a patient's deterioration and delay or even eliminate the need for a nursing home, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Association for Geriatric...

Shortened Mini-Mental State Exam can offer reliable dementia diagnosis. (Make It Micro).
May 1, 2003... COLORADO SPRINGS -- The Mini-Mental State Examination can be shortened in a busy primary care practice while retaining good reliability, Dr. Laurence J. Robbins said at a meeting of the Colorado Chapter of the American College of Physicians....

NSAIDs linked to lower Alzheimer's incidence. (Cache County Study).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- The use of NSAIDs or aspirin was associated with a reduced incidence of Alzheimer's disease in a large prospective study of elderly patients in Cache County, Utah. The largest reduction in risk was among former users of...

Levodopa seems safe in early Parkinson's. (Dosen't Hasten Symptoms).
May 1, 2003... HONOLULU -- Fears that the use of levodopa in early Parkinson's disease might hasten the progression of the disorder have largely been put to rest by the results of a large clinical trial that Dr. Stanley Fahn reported at the annual meeting of...

Depression in Parkinson's patients. (Weaker Somatic Symptoms).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Parkinson's disease patients exhibit weaker somatic depressive symptoms than do depressed patients who don't have Parkinson's, said Dr. A.F.G. Leentjens of Maastricht University, the Netherlands, and associates. As part of ongoing...

Coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson's disease. (Alternative Medicine).
May 1, 2003... * The dietary supplement coenzyme Q10 has shown some promise in the treatment of early Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and as migraine prophylaxis. * Larger studies will be needed to determine optimal dosages and to confirm...

Quality of life is focus of prostate ca treatment. (Updated NCCN Guidelines).(cancer, National Comprehensive Cancer Network)
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD, FLA. -- Advances in technology and new approaches to risk assessment form much of the basis for recent updates in prostate cancer treatment guidelines. Individualized therapy is a key component in both of these areas, Dr. Peter...

Large study links height to higher risk of prostate cancer. (Clinical Impact Unclear).
May 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Tall men are at higher risk for prostate cancer after age 50, compared with their shorter peers, Dr. Noriko Kojimahara reported in a poster session at the annual meeting of the American College of Preventive Medicine. Other...

Most men support informed consent for PSA testing. (Nhanes Survey Results).(prostate-specific antigen)
May 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Nearly all men aged 40 and older who participated in a recent component of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey gave consent to have their prostate-specific antigen levels checked after being informed of the risks...

Collaboration is crucial in treating depression. (Reduces Hospitalization).
May 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- Patients with depression are more likely to be hospitalized or use the emergency department for care if their physicians report having problems collaborating with mental health professionals. That was the finding of a study...

Early gains tied to better outcomes in depression. (Small Study).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... RENO, NEV. -- Patients who experience sudden gains early in the course of depression treatment do significantly better overall, Morgen A.R. Kelly reported at the annual meeting of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. Ms....

Extremity injuries in elderly. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Disability before an extremity injury and depression after an extremity injury have a significant impact on recovery, said researchers at Maastricht (the Netherlands) University. In a prospective cohort study, 168 patients (mean age 70.2 years)...

Cereal fiber lowers CVD risk. (Clinical Capsules).(cardiovascular disease)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Elderly people with a high intake of cereal fiber are at lower risk for cardiovascular disease than those with a low intake, said researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle. In the prospective, multicenter Cardiovascular Health Study,...

Geriatric depression treatment. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Venlafaxine is as effective as nortriptyline in treating moderate to severe depression in geriatric patients, reported researchers from the University of Barcelona (Spain). In a single-blind, randomized trial, 22 of 31 patients who received...

Flu vaccine and MI. (Clinical Capsules).(influenza vaccine does not protect against heart attack)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Influenza is thought to be a possible precipitant of cardiac events, but vaccination does not protect older adults against recurrent cardiac events, according to an observational study. Vaccination was not significantly associated with risk...

Anthrax attack study. (Clinical Capsules).(evaluation of emergency plans)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Health officials should rethink the official plan for responding to an anthrax attack, said researchers at Stanford (Calif.) University. They used details from the 2001 anthrax attacks, data from a former Soviet Union anthrax program, and...

Guidelines call for tight BP control in diabetics. (As Important as Glycemic Control).(blood pressure)
May 1, 2003... Tight control of blood pressure is just as important as tight control of blood sugar in managing patients with type 2 diabetes, according to new guidelines from the American College of Physicians. The guidelines, which were based on a...

High heritability for insulin resistance seen in Mexican Americans. (Expressed via Syndrome X).
May 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Insulin resistance appears to be highly heritable and expressed via syndrome X in Mexican Americans, results from a novel study suggest. Concurrent high heritabilities of insulin resistance, lipid levels, blood pressure...

ALA improves diabetic neuropathy symptoms. (Potent Antioxidant).(alpha-lipoic acid)
May 1, 2003... Intravenous racemic alpha-lipoic acid appears to be a useful ancillary treatment for symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy, Dr. Peter J. Dyck and his associates reported. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a potent antioxidant, has been shown to...

Twice-weekly ciclopirox lacquer staves off onychomycosis. ('Penlac Weekend').(Penlac)
May 1, 2003... MAUI, HAWAII -- The "Penlac weekend" is a worthwhile ongoing component of any onychomycosis treatment regimen, Dr. William P. Werschler said at the annual Hawaii dermatology seminar sponsored by the Skin Disease Education Foundation. ...

Dermoscopy yields details that bolster melanoma diagnosis. (May Reduce Unnecessary Excisions).
May 1, 2003... ST. JULIAN'S, MALTA -- Using dermoscopy to help diagnose malignant melanoma can decrease the number of benign lesions that would otherwise be excised, sparing patients unnecessary surgical intervention, Dr. Guiseppe Argenziano said at an...

Latest melanoma research sparks new tx options. (Selectively Targeting BRAF Mutations).
May 1, 2003... MAUI, HAWAII -- Metastatic melanoma may be on the verge of a therapeutic renaissance made possible by recent insights into the key role BRAF mutations play in the deadly skin cancer, Dr. Hensin Tsao said at the annual Hawaii dermatology seminar...

What's your diagnosis? (Derm Diagnosis).(complication of Sjogren's syndrome)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A 32-year-old women presented with elevated, purpuric macules on her legs, dryness of the eyes and mouth, and vaginal dryness. Her leg vasculitis did not respond to compression therapy, and lesions recurred over 10 years. She reported malaise,...

Follow-up for 'probably benign' mammograms. (Interval Questioned).
May 1, 2003... Only 1% of women whose screening mammograms were judged to be "probably benign" developed breast cancer within the next 2 years in a large study, leading investigators to question whether these women are being advised to come back too soon for...

Psychosocial status worse in breast ca survivors. (Compared with Women with Other Cancers).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- Breast cancer has a worse impact on psychosocial status and functional capacity than other forms of cancer in women, according to a huge national survey. Other studies have looked at the psychosocial status of breast cancer...

FPs lag in offering genetic cystic fibrosis test. (Screening Recommended in 2001 by ACOG).(family physicians)
May 1, 2003... Genetic screening for mutations that cause cystic fibrosis is causing a schism between obstetricians in the United States and family physicians who practice obstetrics. In September 2001, a task force representing the American College of...

Adding prasterone appears beneficial in lupus. (Disease Activity, Bone Density).(systemic lupus erythematosus )
May 1, 2003... MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- The addition of prasterone to standard drug therapy for patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus significantly improved or at least stabilized disease activity in a randomized, double-blind study. Use of...

Folate and breast cancer. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A high intake of folate may reduce the risk of breast cancer in women who consume moderate levels of alcohol, Dr. Shumin M. Zhang of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, and colleagues reported. Their findings are based on analysis of...

Chronic pain, longer depression. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Extended periods of depressed mood are more common in those with chronic painful physical conditions than in those without, said Dr. Maurice M. Ohayon and Dr. Alan F. Schatzberg of Stanford (Calif.) University In a study of 18,980 European...

Dry eyes in pregnancy. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A significant proportion of women report dry-eye symptoms during pregnancy especially when they have had at least one previous birth, Joel Schechter, Ph.D., said at the Third International Conference on Sex Hormones, Pregnancy and the Rheumatic...

Topical for fecal incontinence. (Clinical Capsules).(phenylephrine gel)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Phenylephrine gel is a promising nonsurgical therapy for fecal incontinence, Dr. Wayne B. Tuckson said at the 12th International Pelvic Reconstructive and Vaginal Surgery Conference. When applied around the anus, this topical therapy boosts...

Diagnosis of genital erosions can prove elusive. (Examine Other Body Parts).
May 1, 2003... HOUSTON -- Erosive diseases of the genitalia are a diagnostic challenge because they're often associated with an array of nonspecific symptoms, according to Dr. Elizabeth Edwards. Yet accurate diagnosis. and appropriate management are...

Skin infection, nerve dysfunction also can cause vulvar pain. (Beyond Vaginitis).
May 1, 2003... KEY LARGO, FLA. -- The differential diagnosis for a patient with vulvar pain should go beyond common causes such as bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, or trichomonas infections. Clinicians should also consider lichen planus, genital human...

Physicians go nuts over promising anti-IgE drugs. (Protection Against Peanut Allergy).
May 1, 2003... DENVER -- An experimental anti-IgE drug that for the first time provided patients with peanut allergy some protection against the development of anaphylaxis may or may not be shelved, as scientists from three companies negotiate its fate. ...

Low risk of recurrence once children outgrow peanut allergy. (Keep Epinephrine on Hand).
May 1, 2003... DENVER -- Children who outgrow peanut allergy probably do so permanently Dr. David M. Fleischer said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Although peanut allergy once was considered to be a...

More stress, anxiety over peanut allergy than diabetes. (Lower Quality of Life).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... DENVER -- Children with peanut allergy may feel more anxious and stressed out about their condition than children with diabetes, Natalie J. Avery reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. ...

Family dynamic sways child's asthma adherence. (Criticism is Bad).
May 1, 2003... KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. -- Asthma manages asthma sufferers and their families, and not the other way around, Dr. Frederick S. Wamboldt said at a meeting sponsored by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. Because of that, family processes...

New initiative targets inhalant abuse treatment. (Tried by 4.5 Million Teens).
May 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Treating patients who abuse inhalants is more complicated than treating those who abuse other drugs, a new advisory says. That's because inhalant abusers often abuse other drugs and "have a chaotic family life, low...

Young women more susceptible to addiction, study says. (Results of 3-year Study).
May 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Girls and young women get addicted to drugs more easily than males and suffer more devastating consequences; and the nation's public health infrastructure needs to be overhauled to reflect that fact, former Health and Human...

Black box warning added to head lice drug. (Second-Line Treatment).(lindane (gamma benzene hexachloride) found to be neurotoxic)
May 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration has added strong new safety warnings to Lindane that could effectively end the pediculicide's use on most children, one expert said. Lindane, a second-line treatment for head lice and scabies, is available...

Piercing boom sparks more nickel allergy. (Substance is Unbiquitous).
May 1, 2003... LAS VEGAS -- An "astounding" increase in the prevalence of nickel allergy between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s appears to correlate with the explosion in popularity of body piercing, according to Dr. David E. Cohen, president-elect of the...

Atopic dermatitis responds quickly to pimecrolimus. (Safe for Infants).(Elidel cream)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Pimecrolimus cream 1% appears to quickly and safely reduce atopic dermatitis in infants and young children, said Dr. Vincent C. Ho of the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and his associates. In the placebo-controlled, double-blind...

Suspect immunodeficiency when child has repeated or unusual infections. (How Many Infections is too Many?).
May 1, 2003... CAMBRIDGE, MASS. -- Children who come down with more than six or eight acute infections per year should probably be worked up for an underlying immunodeficiency disorder, Dr. Peggy Weintrub said at a meeting on pediatric infectious diseases...

Strep throat: to treat or not to treat? (New Guidelines May Help).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CAMBRIDGE, MASS. -- A red, swollen, and purulent throat does not necessarily indicate a strep infection, Dr. Edward O'Rourke said at a meeting on pediatric infectious diseases sponsored by Harvard Medical School Only about 30% of children...

Antibiotics not linked to hearing loss. (Tobramycin, Vancomycin).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Exposure to tobramycin or vancomycin is not a risk factor for hearing loss in newborns, said Matthijs de Hoog, Ph.D., of Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam (the Netherlands) and associates. Of 625 newborns in a neonatal intensive care...

Enlarged left ventricle seen in obese children. (As Young as 13 Years of Age).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Marked left ventricular enlargement is already present in obese children as young as age 13, Dr. Peter Friberg said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association. This observation bodes poorly in terms of...

Childhood weight predicts obesity in adolescence. (At Ages 5 and 10).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS -- Weight percentile at ages 5 and 10 years was significantly correlated with obesity and overweight status in adolescence, Dr. Jennifer Singh said at the southern regional meeting of the American Federation for Medical Research....

New data shed light on melanoma in children. (Sun Exposure Questions Persist).
May 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO, CALIF. -- Some of the new information on melanoma in children includes more accurate knowledge of the U.S. incidence and a better appreciation of neurocutaneous melanosis. But there are still unknowns, including whether sun...

Effexor XR sprinkles. (Products).(venlafaxine HC1 approved to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Sprinkle administration of Effexor XR (venlafaxine HC1) has been approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Patients with swallowing difficulties can now open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto a spoonful...

Xanax XR. (Products).(alprazolam approved for treatment of panic disorder)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Xanax XR (alprazolam) is approved for the treatment of panic disorder. The extended-release tablets are contraindicated in patients with known sensitivity to benzodiazepines or with acute narrow-angle glaucoma. The drug is also contraindicated...

Alavert approved. (Products).(loratadine approved in disintegrating tablet form for the treatment of upper respiratory allergies)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Alavert (loratadine) is approved as an over-the-counter orally disintegrating tablet. It is indicated for symptoms of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies, such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and itching of the nose...

Cleanser for rosacea. (Products).(Rosanil (sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5%) cleanser from Galderma Laboratories L.P.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Rosanil (sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5%) cleanser is available to treat rosacea The cleanser can be used once or twice daily during the initial treatment phase. Patients should apply to wet skin and massage, waiting 10-20 seconds before...

New formula for Skin Adhesive. (Products).(High Viscosity Dermabond Topical Skin Adhesive from Closure Medical Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... High Viscosity Dermabond Topical Skin Adhesive (2-octyl cyanoacrylate) is approved as a topical application to hold closed easily approximated skin edges of wounds from surgical incisions, including punctures from minimally invasive surgery and...

New dose of Flexeril. (Products).(cyclobenzaprine now in a 5-mg tablet for treatment of muscle spasms)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is now approved in a 5-mg tablet dose for use as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy for the relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful, musculoskeletal conditions. The drug is contraindicated in...

Long-term Care tool kits. (Products).("We Care: Implementing Clinical Practice Guidelines" and "Determination of Medical Necessity of Rehabilitation Therapy Services" tool kits available from the American Medical Directors Association)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) has two new tool kits dealing with long-term care: "We Care: Implementing Clinical Practice Guidelines" and "Determination of Medical Necessity of Rehabilitation Therapy Services." The...

Fecal occult blood test. (Products).(Hemoccult II Sensa elite from Beckman Coulter Inc. )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Hemoccult II Sensa elite detects fecal occult blood. The take-home test package contains slides and developer, along with a test card and patient instructions regarding collection options and dietary restrictions. For more information,...

New indication for Avandia. (Products).(rosiglitazone maleate to be used with insulin for type 2 diabetes treatment)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate) oral tablets--2, 4, and 8 mg--are now indicated for use in combination with insulin for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. For more information, contact GlaxoSmithKilin, 888-825-5249,...