Internal Medicine News articles from March 2003

Internal Medicine News archives from March 2003

Osler continues to inspire physicians. (New Book Conveys Medical Ideals).(William Osler)
March 1, 2003... "Nothing will sustain you more potently than the power to recognize in your humdrum routine, as perhaps it may be thought, the true poetry of life--the poetry of the commonplace, of the ordinary man, of the plain, toil-worn woman, with their...

Congress paves way for medicare payment increase: action will let CMS proceed with a 1.6% hike in physician reimbursement for 2003. (New Rates Expected to Start March 1).(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)
March 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Congress finally answered the call from medical organizations to increase Medicare physician payment rates. House and Senate conferees for the fiscal year 2003 omnibus spending bill last month reached an agreement that would...

Colorectal surveillance: limit in low-risk patients; postpolypectomy colonoscopy every 5 years. (Shift Toward Population Screening).
March 1, 2003... New guidelines on colorectal cancer prevention seek to put a greater emphasis on population screening and scale back follow-up surveillance of patients who have a low risk for recurrent polyps. Surveillance for colorectal cancer in low-risk...

Federal spending bill restores funding for primary care training programs. (Fiscal 2003 Budget).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Federal funds for primary care training programs will be restored as part of a fiscal year 2003 omnibus appropriations package approved by Congress. In the omnibus spending bill, lawmakers restored funding under Title VII,...

Rx drugs part of budget plan for 'medicare modernization'. (In $444 Billion Package).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- A prescription drug benefit tops a "Medicare modernization" proposal in the Bush administration's FY 2004 budget request for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The budget request asks a total of $444 billion to...

Guidelines largely agree on cervical Ca screening. (Older Patients can Forego Pap Tests).(cancer)
March 1, 2003... Now that the US. Preventive Services Task Force has issued cervical cancer screening guidelines similar to those issued recently by the American Cancer Society, experts say that having both sets of recommendations may carry more weight. ...

Cervical Ca rate remains higher in Hispanic women. (Data from 1992 to 1999).(cancer)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The incidence of invasive cervical cancer decreased significantly among Hispanic women (by 4.4%) and among non-Hispanic women (by 2.0%) between 1992 and 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. But despite those...

Web site matches seniors with Rx drug assistance. (Free Service Assesses Eligibility).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... To help older patients find out if they are eligible for prescription drug assistance, consider referring them to a new Web site, www.benefitscheckuprx.com. This free service, developed by the National Council on the Aging, lets seniors or...

Guide offers help in health care disputes. (Resource for Patients).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... "The Consumer Guide to Handling Disputes with Your Employer or Private Health Plan, 2003 Update" can help consumers who are seeking to resolve a dispute with their health plan or better understand their coverage. The guide includes...

Medicine in space. (Guest Editorial).(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... The tragic lass of the Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew reminded the nation of the importance of the space program and the courage of those who choose to risk their lives in the name of scientific discovery. If the seven men and women...

Does the Mirena IUD eliminate the need for endometrial resection in women with menorrhagia? (Pro & Con).
March 1, 2003... [YES] Long-term oral drug Y E S treatment for menstrual disorders is hampered by side effects, and the failure of medical therapy is usually considered an indication for surgery--either hysterectomy or endometrial ablation. In Scandinavia,...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... Ambulance Abuse If one were to compile nationwide statistics on the utilization of ambulance services, it would be found that there are thousands of "runs" for unnecessary reasons ("Ambulance Transport of Seizure Patients Needs Restraint,"...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2003... The following category should have been included in "Drug Update: Hormone Replacement Therapy" (Jan. 1, 2003, p. 8). Drug: synthetic conjugated estrogens (Cenestin) Dosage: 0.625-1.25 mg/day Cost/Day *: $0.67 (0.625 mg/day) ...

Teriparatide cuts spinal fracture risk at all ages. (Postmenopausal Women).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Teriparatide increases vertebral density and decreases the risk of spinal fractures in postmenopausal women regardless of their age, fracture history, or bone mineral density at baseline, reported Dr. Robert Marcus and his associates at Eli...

After 1 year of steroid therapy, one in six women have fractures. (Without Bisphosphonate Therapy).
March 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS--Within a year of initiating glucocorticoid treatment, one in six postmenopausal women who are not taking a bisphosphonate will develop a vertebral fracture, Dr. Tjeerd van Staa said at the annual meeting of the American College of...

Percutaneous vertebroplasty superior to medical therapy. (Comprssion Fractures).
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Percutaneous vertebroplasty is better than medical therapy for the management of acute painful vertebral body compression fractures, Dr. Huy M. Do said at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. In a...

Nutraceuticals gain credibility as treatment for osteoarthritis. (Glucosamine, Chondroitin).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... ORLANDO, FLA.--Dismissed a decade ago as "snake oil," glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have gained respect as treatments for osteoarthritis, Dr. David Hungerford said at a symposium on hip and knee arthroplasty sponsored by the Current...

Liposuction may help in managing obesity. (Chronic Disease Risk Reduction).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... WESTMINSTER, CoLo. -- Liposuction can play a key role in a comprehensive program of weight loss and chronic disease risk reduction, speakers said at the World Congress on Liposuction sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. ...

Obesity.(The Effective Physician).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Background It is estimated that 61% of American adults are overweight or obese. In the last 25 years, the prevelance of obesity has more than doubled to include 27% of the American population. The American Gastroenterological...

HRT may cut risk of type 2 diabetes by 35%. (Women with Heart Disease).(hormone replacement therapy)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- Hormone replacement therapy helped prevent type 2 diabetes in a large, randomized, double-blind, place-bo-controlled trial of postmenopausal women with coronary heart disease. But it may not matter much. The findings come...

ADHD tx may protect against later drug abuse. (Evidence from Two Studies).(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Stimulants prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in childhood and adolescence don't appear to increase the risk of later drug abuse. In fact, their use may help protect against it, according to two recently published...

Nonmedical use of prescriptions is on the rise among teens, young adults. (Primary Care Role in 'Team Effort').(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The nonmedical use of prescriptions continued to rise among adolescents and young adults in 2001, Dr. H. Westley Clark said at a press briefing sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental...

Expert shares his tips for managing patients on opioids. (Curbing Drug Abuse).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... LAS VEGAS -- When prescribing opioids for chronic pain, make sure to set clear rules and expectations for yourself and your patient, including an agreement that both of you sign, Dr. Sidney Schnoll advised at the annual meeting of the American...

Prescribe Narcotics only with a sound contract. (Defense Against DEA, Malpractice).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Narcotics are effective and necessary, but they should never be prescribed without a contract that includes a coda that the prescriptions can be withdrawn if the contract is violated, Dr. John G. Porter said at a clinical symposium...

Symptom amelioration the goal in fibromyalgia treatment. (Analgesics, Antidepressants can Help).
March 1, 2003... Los ANGELES -- Don't overlook the simple and obvious in treating fibromyalgia, Dr. Andrew F. Leuchter advised at a psychopharmacology update sponsored by the University of California, Los Angeles. No cure for this disorder has been found,...

Diagnosing depression in medically ill patients. (Endicott substitutive Criteria).
March 1, 2003... ALBUQUERQUE -- The use of substitute diagnostic criteria for depression lessens overdiagnosis in medically ill patients, Elizabeth Dettmer, Ph.D., said at a psychiatric symposium sponsored by the University of New Mexico. Physicians...

Treatment of resistant depression often not evidence based. (Lithium, T3 Are Best-Supported Adjuncts).
March 1, 2003... ALBUQUERQUE -- The best-supported therapeutic strategies in treatment-resistant depression are paradoxically relegated to third-tier status, Dr. Michael J. Gitlin said at a psychiatric symposium sponsored by the University of New Mexico. ...

Vertigo issues can blur dx of mild brain injury. (Grocery Store Test Can Help).(diagnosis)
March 1, 2003... NEW YORK - One of the most common sequelae of mild traumatic brain injury-vestibular dysfunction or balance disorder-is often overlooked because patients have dizziness and disequilibrium rather than "true vertigo," Dr. Edwin Richter said at a...

Brain injury tool kit available from CDC. (Mild Traumatic Injury).(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A tool kit offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides clinical information about mild traumatic brain injury, including prevention strategies, diagnosis, and treatment. Patient education materials in the kit- called...

Dietary supplements can reduce risk of vision loss. (Age-Related Macular Degeneration).
March 1, 2003... BETHESDA, MD. -- Dietary supplements containing high levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduced the risk of vision loss among patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration, Dr. Emily Chew said at a conference sponsored...

Mental health care often too costly for Ca survivors. (Problem for 16% of Those studied).(cancer)
March 1, 2003... Cancer survivors use more mental health services than do other people, but many survivors who want such services can't afford them, Maria Hewitt, Dr.P.H., and Julia H. Rowland, Ph.D., reported. In a study of nearly 5,000 cancer survivors,...

Percutaneous neuromodulation an option in subacute low back pain. (Relief Persisted After Therapy).
March 1, 2003... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Percutaneous neuromodulation therapy appears to be an effective, noninvasive treatment for patients with subacute radiating lower back pain, said Dr. Joanne Borg-Stein of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Wellesley, Mass. ...

Acupuncture can curb musculoskeletal pain. (Training, Liability, Issues).
March 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Acupuncture may be ready to play a greater role in treating musculoskeletal pain in primary care practice, Dr. Robert Bonakdar said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Evidence that acupuncture...

Redi-reference clinical guidelines. (Digital Assistance).
March 1, 2003... Overview: Redi-Reference Clinical Guidelines is a broad sampling of well-supported national clinical guidelines written for Palm OS and Pocket PC handheld platforms. Hyperlink navigation, bookmarking capabilities, and regular updates facilitate...

Zonisamide effectiveness increases with time. (Epilepsy Therapy).
March 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- Long-term treatment with zonisamide led to a continued decrease in seizure frequency in epileptic patients, Dr. Jacqueline A. French reported at the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society. Yet because the natural history...

Vagus nerve stimulation's effect levels off. (Seizure Reduction).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- The epilepsy control achieved by vagus nerve stimulation does not increase substantially during the first year of treatment, Dr. Douglas R. Labar reported at the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society. The improvement...

Epilepsy patients miss doses fairly regularly. (Seizures Reported in 45%).
March 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- Even epilepsy patients miss medication doses on a fairly regular basis, according to a national survey of 661 patients conducted in neurologists' offices. The survey found that 71% of the epilepsy patients acknowledged missing...

Topiramate can control epilepsy as monotherapy. (Newly Diagnosed Cases).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- Topiramate was effective when used as monotherapy in newly diagnosed epilepsy in a study of 470 patients. Of patients treated with 400 mg/day of topiramate, 83% were seizure free for 6 months, compared with 71% of those treated...

Don't overtreat HPV in teens, young women. (Most Cases are Transient).(human papillomavirus)
March 1, 2003... New YORK -- There is no need to be overly aggressive with surgical or medical interventions for adolescent girls and young adults with cervical human papillomavirus infections, Dr. Liane Deligdisch said. Dr. Deligdisch, professor of...

Data Watch: Leading Causes of Death for U.S. Women, 2000.
March 1, 2003... DATA WATCH Leading Causes of Death for U.S. Women, 2000 % of Deaths Total Deaths Heart disease 365,953 29.9 Malignant neoplasms ...

Focus on healthy aging during perimenopause. ('It's a Teachable Moment').
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- The perimenopause is an ideal time to help women protect and improve health-related quality of life, Karen A. Matthews, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society. "I would suggest to you that this...

Anal incontinence tied to abdominal hysterectomy. (Small Study).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- A small study designed to test the hypothesis that abdominal hysterectomy increases the risk of chronic constipation found instead that it's associated with an increased risk of anal incontinence. But vaginal hysterectomy...

Visual, hidden clues to PCOS can aid diagnosis. (Hair Removal is Common).(polycystic ovarian syndrome)
March 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- Polycystic ovarian syndrome could be more widely diagnosed if clinicians were better attuned to its visual clues, including hirsutism, which many patients are effective in partially hiding, Dr. Geoffrey Redmond said. "The...

Metformin reduces risk of gestational diabetes in PCOS. (Study of 72 Patients).(polycystic ovary syndrome)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Treatment with metformin appeared to cut the risk of gestational diabetes in a study of 72 women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The women together had a total of 76 pregnancies during which they were treated with metformin; the...

Modest weight loss goes far in PCOS patients. (Better Endocrine, Reproductive Function).(polycystic ovary syndrome)
March 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- Modest calorie restriction can have a profound effect on reproductive and endocrine function in some overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome, Dr. Sarah L. Berga said at a media briefing on pituitary/hormonal disorders...

Some relief often sufficient for perimenopausal symptoms. (Promote A Healthy Lifestyle).
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Many women presenting with symptoms of perimenopause aren't looking for complete elimination of the symptoms; they just want a little relief, Dr. Nanette Santoro said at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society. ...

Temporary amenorrhea found attractive in survey. (In Military, Business, Athletics).
March 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Temporary amenorrhea was an attractive option to most of the military women who participated in a recent survey at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Anonymous questionnaires were distributed in the...

Abortion rate reached lowest level in 26 years in 2000. (Access Declines As Well).
March 1, 2003... The U.S. abortion rate continued to decline in 2000, reaching the lowest level since 1974, according to research presented during a teleconference sponsored by the Alan Cuttmacher Institute. The rate for 2000-21.3 abortions per 1,000 women...

Data Watch: legal abortions declined in the 1990s.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... DATA WATCH Legal Abortions Declined in the 1990s Rate of Abortions per 1,000 Women Aged Number of Legal 15-44 Years Abortions in Millions 1991 24 1.38 1993 ...

Contraceptive miscues tied to pregnancy. (Poor Patient-Provider Communication).
March 1, 2003... DENVER -- A health care provider's failure to convey important information or provide effective contraception options was linked to unintended pregnancies in 51 of 355 women who sought first-trimester abortions at a private medical practice,...

Acupuncture vs. tamoxifen-induced hot flashes. (Pilot Study).
March 1, 2003... EXETER, ENGLAND -- Acupuncture was associated with a reduction in the frequency and severity of hot flashes in women being treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer. In a pilot study 47 women with a primary diagnosis of breast cancer and a...

DES information on CDC's web site. (Diethylstilbestrol).(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A new Web site provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers educational resources about the health risks that are associated with diethylstilbestrol (DES). The DES Update Web site offers information for patients exposed...

History of HRT benefits breast cancer patients. (Lower Incidence of Bone Metastases).(hormone replacement therapy)
March 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- Women who have been on hormone replacement therapy before being diagnosed with breast cancer have a significantly reduced incidence of bone metastases, Dr. Ingo J. Diel said at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the San...

Lab reports on estrogen receptors may have 50% false-negative rate. (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ).
March 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- False-negative lab reports of tumor estrogen-receptor status are a big problem in ductal carcinoma in situ, Dr. D. Craig Allred cautioned at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the San Antonio Cancer Institute. His new...

Antiaromatase agent may spare bone in breast cancer. (Pilot Study of Exemestane).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- The steroidal antiaromatase agent exemestane may not be saddled with the bone loss problems that have emerged as a significant drawback to the use of nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors as adjuvant therapy in breast cancer, Dr....

Arterial calcification in breast predicts CAD risk. (Mammograms Flag Women for Evaluation).(coronary artery disease)
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Researchers have identified the threshold level of breast arterial calcification that is associated with a 20% increased risk for coronary artery disease in women. Calcium deposits in the arteries of the breast therefore may be...

CHD guidelines help in evaluation, management in women. (Several Available).(coronary heart disease)
March 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Use published guidelines to assess a woman's risk of coronary heart disease and determine appropriate management, Dr. Mary S. Beattie advised at a conference on women's health sponsored by the University of California, San...

NEJM retracts article, changes acceptance policy. (Oddball Situation).(New England Journal of Medicine)
March 1, 2003... The New England Journal of Medicine retracted an article on septal ablation with alcohol for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy because two of the listed authors apparently never approved the manuscript. Almost immediately after the paper's...

Yo-Yo dieting tied to endothelial dysfunction. (Novel Predictor of CV Risk).(cardiovascular)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- The greater a postmenopausal woman's lifetime history of yo-yo dieting and weight swings, the more impaired her vascular endothelial function, Dr. Claire Duvernoy reported. Endothelial dysfunction is known to be a risk factor for...

Boosting [beta]-blockers after MI. (Clinical Capsules).(myocardial infarction, the medical term for heart attack)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Among patients discharged from the hospital after an acute myocardial infarction, only 15% of those who don't receive a discharge prescription for [beta]-blockers will ever use them--but 80% of those who are given a prescription at discharge...

Risk of falling after stroke. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Traditional risk factors for falling in the general population and in hospitalized stroke patients don't appear to apply to stroke survivors who live at home. The single factor that best predicts a fail in these home-dwelling patients is...

HT compound recalled. (Clinical Capsules).(hypertension drug Ancom Anti-Hypertensive Compound Tablets)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration has authorized a recall of an unapproved drug sold without prescriptions--Ancom Anti-Hypertensive Compound Tablets-because it contains several agents that can prove deadly when taken in combination. ...

Sleep posture in CHF patients. (Clinical Capsules).(congestive heart failure)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Patients with congestive heart failure avoid sleeping on their left sides, and that avoidance correlates with the extent of left ventricular dilation and cardiac dysfunction, reported Dr. Richard S.T. Leung of Toronto General Hospital and his...

MI mortality 40% lower in hospitals using guidelines. ('Frightening' Variation in Quality).(myocardial infarction, the medical term for heart attack)
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Acute MI mortality is markedly lower in hospitals that excel at following national treatment guidelines, Dr. Eric D. Peterson said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association. In a massive first-ever...

Even when aspirin fails in primary prevention, patients obtain benefits. (Milder First-Time Events Noted).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Using aspirin for primary prevention of coronary disease works even when it fails. People who had a first-time coronary event even though they were regularly taking aspirin had milder events than similar people who were aspirin...

'IMA' may spell help in chest pain diagnosis. (Ischemia-Modified Albumin).
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- The abbreviation "IMA" typically is cardiovascular code for the "internal mammary artery, the preferred conduit for use in coronary artery bypass surgery. But IMA could soon take on an expanded meaning if Dr. Manas K. Sinha...

Low-dose doxycycline lowers C-reactive protein in CAD. (Metalloproteinase Inhibition).(coronary artery disease)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Low-dose doxycycline reduced levels of C-reactive protein and other markers of inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease, Dr. David L. Brown said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association. ...

Oral heparin takes a step forward, despite problems. (Liquid Form Limited by Bad Taste).
March 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- Oral heparin took a big step toward becoming a reality with a controlled study involving more than 2,000 patients. The study tested two dosages of a liquid heparin formulation, which encountered a major compliance problem...

Try presurgery outpatient anticoagulation therapy. (High Thromboembolism Risk).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- Surgical patients at high risk for thromboembolism were successfully eased off chronic anticoagulation without the need to postpone surgery using an outpatient dalteparin regimen. In a study with 224 patients, the incidence...

HIV infection tied to vascular thrombosis. (Fourfold Higher Risk).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... BARCELONA, SPAIN -- Patients infected with HIV had a nearly fourfold increased risk of venous thromboembolic disease in a series of more than 46,000 patients at one medical center. "HIV-infected patients may be at substantially increased...

After hip surgery, 4 weeks of VTE prophylaxis are better than 1 week. (Anticoagulant Therapy).(venous thromboembolism)
March 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA 4-week course of anticoagulant prophylaxis was substantially better than the standard duration of 1 week in a study of 428 hip-fracture surgery patients. In an open-label study, 208 patients received prophylaxis for 4 weeks;...

Panel backs losartan for cutting risk of stroke. (In Hypertensive Patients with LVH).(left ventricular hypertrophy)
March 1, 2003... SILVER SPRING, MD. -- Losartan is approvable for reducing the risk of stroke in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, an expert panel has advised the Food and Drug Administration. In an 8-2 vote, the FDA's Cardiovascular...

Carvedilol poised to receive new indication for post-MI use. (Left Ventricular Dysfunction).
March 1, 2003... SILVER SPRING, MD. -- Carvedilol will likely be approved for reducing mortality in patients with left ventricular dysfunction after an acute myocardial infarction. At a meeting of the Food and Drug Administration's Cardiovascular and Renal...

Montelukast indicated for seasonal allergic rhinitis. (New FDA-Approved Indication).
March 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration's approval of a new indication for montelukast offers an option other than antihistarnines for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children as young as 2 years. But there are less expensive...

Blood test for breast cancer closer to reality. (More Accurate than Mammography).
March 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- A simple blood test for breast cancer detection that's substantially more accurate than mammography is drawing closer to clinical reality. And that's not all. The same proteomics technology being harnessed to detect breast...

Incontinence treatment also improved overactive bladder. (Unexpected Duloxetine Benefit).
March 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Treatment with the investigational drug duloxetine nor only improved stress urinary incontinence, compared with placebo in 683 women but decreased overactive bladder symptoms in those who had them, Dr. Peggy A. Norton said. ...

Strontium ranelate cuts risk of osteoporosis fractures in women. (Investigational Drug).
March 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS -- The investigational drug strontium ranelate had "rapid and sustained" antifracture effects in a recently completed study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, Dr. Jean-Yves Reginster said at the annual meeting of the...

Drug update: prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
March 1, 2003... Three basic options exist for preventing osteoporosis and fractures in postmenopausal women: the workhorse bisphosphonates, the intriguing option raloxifene, and estrogen replacement. The newcomer, teriparatide, is labeled for treatment-only....

Zinecard approval. (Products).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Zinecard (dexrazoxane for injection) is now indicated for reducing the incidence and severity of cardiomyopathy associated with doxorubicin administration in women with metastatic breast cancer, who have received a cumulative doxorubicin dose...

Inflammatory bowel newsletter. (Products).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... IBD Watch is a free one-page fax newsletter covering important developments in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. The newsletter offers brief summaries of recently published peer-reviewed research and is distributed monthly. To...

Pulmonary embolism Rx. (Products).(drug treatment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The reintroduction of Abbokinase (urokinase) has been approved. It is indicated for the lysis of acute massive pulmonary emboll, defined as obstruction of blood flow to a lobe or multiple segments, and for the lysis of pulmonary emboli...

Cipro XR approval. (Products).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Cipro XR (ciprofloxacin) has been approved for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis, or Staphylococcus saprophyticus. The extended-release tablets come in a...

Penicillin alternative. (Products).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Augmentin XR (amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium) 1000- and 62.5-mg extended release tablets have been approved for the treatment of adults with acute bacterial sinusitis or community-acquired pneumonia caused by [beta]lactamase-producing...

Fluoroquinolone for pneumonia. (Products).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Levaquin (levofloxacin) tablets/injection and Levaquin (levofloxacin in 5% dextrose) injection 750 mg are now indicated for treatment of nosocomial pneumonia. For more information, contact Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, 877-323-2200,...