Internal Medicine News articles from October 2004

Internal Medicine News archives from October 2004

Pushing for clinical trial registration.(News)
October 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The pharmaceutical industry's new database on U.S. clinical drug trial results doesn't eliminate the need for mandatory trial registration, physician groups claim. On Oct. 1, the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of...

Private insurers now paying nearly half of total drug expenditures.(VITAL SIGNS)
October 1, 2004... Private Insurers Now Paying Nearly Half of Total Drug Expenditures Note: Based on data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation

Rimonabant cuts rate of metabolic syndrome by 53%: selective endocannabinoid type 1 receptor blocker improves weight loss, lipid profile.(News)(selective endocannabinoid type 1 receptor blockers)
October 1, 2004... MUNICH -- The investigational drug rimonabant, first in a new class of agents known as selective endocannabinoid type 1 receptor blockers, is looking more and more like the real deal: a potential blockbuster drug causing sustained weight loss...

Pituitary dysfunction seen after severe head trauma: screen for neuroendocrine dysfunction.(News)
October 1, 2004... LISBON -- Hypopituitarism is a common but underrecognized complication of severe traumatic brain injury, Dr. Burkhard L. Herrmann and Dr. Randall J. Urban reported in separate presentations at the 12th International Congress of Endocrinology....

Duloxetine wins neuropathic pain approval.(News)
October 1, 2004... After a 6-month priority review, the Food and Drug Administration last month approved duloxetine for managing pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a symptom of nerve damage that affects up to 5 million Americans with diabetes....

Leptin eased hypothalamic amenorrhea in small trial.(News)
October 1, 2004... LISBON -- Recombinant human leptin appears to normalize many of the hormonal defects associated with hypothalamic amenorrhea, Dr. Christos S. Mantzoros reported at the 12th International Congress of Endocrinology. Results of a "proof of...

House panel probes dearth of data on antidepressants.(News)
October 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The issue of public disclosure of clinical trial findings took center stage at a congressional hearing last month on the safety and efficacy of antidepressants in children. Seeking to determine what the Food and Drug...

The Kerry proposal presented.(HEALTH CARE 2004: YOU DECIDE)
October 1, 2004... John Kerry understands that our health care system faces important challenges and it will require national leadership to meet them. The number of people who do not have health care coverage is going up, overall health care costs are going...

The bush proposal presented.(HEALTH CARE 2004: YOU DECIDE)
October 1, 2004... Americans can take pride that we have the best health care in the world--committed doctors and nurses, state-of-the-art medical devices, and life-saving prescription drugs. Despite our successes, there are still too many gaps in quality, too...

Too much technology?(GUEST EDITORIAL)(Editorial)
October 1, 2004... We depend on technology, and our patients and their families expect the best care through the use of technology. A physician who chooses a more conservative route may convey an aura of obsolescence, inadequacy, or even inferiority. Yet...

Should we prescribe a 'Polypill' to everyone at increased risk of CV disease and to those over age 55?(PRO & CON)
October 1, 2004... YES The concept of a "something-of-everything-that-works" combination cardiovascular pill has been around for about a decade. It was elegantly encapsulated in the "Polypill Papers" (BMJ 326[7404]:1419-24, 2003). The authors argued that a...

Liability reform.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... Caps for noneconomic damages and tort reform will never work ("Physicians Push for Caps in Liability Reform Efforts," Aug. 1, 2004, p. 5). The only way to end the malpractice nightmare in this country is to limit awards to trial lawyers....

Rx for civil justice system.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... Blaming lawyers, insurers, or anyone else for the malpractice crisis has been a fatal mistake of the medical profession for decades ("AMA House Rejects Proposal to Deny Care to Trial Lawyers," July 15, 2004, p. 5). Physicians and many of...

Not treating lawyers.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... Recently, a plaintiff lawyer learned that I no longer accept such patients into my practice. His severe fatigue and cognitive fogginess were due to excess indoor Penicillium, Chaetomium, and Rhizopus in his previously flooded home, together...

Treat them, but don't elect one.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... After several lawsuits, I have to say that I do not like malpractice lawyers. Still, even trial lawyers deserve medical care. We, the doctors, should continue our struggle against the scourge of malpractice through political and legal avenues,...

Brain changes detectable before MCI diagnosis: structural and functional MRI are revealing early changes in patients complaining of cognitive decline.(Geriatrics)
October 1, 2004... PHILADELPHIA -- Magnetic resonance imaging has the potential for detecting very early brain changes related to memory impairment. Andrew J. Saykin, Psy.D., reported at the Ninth International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related...

Rosiglitazone slowed cognitive decline in small study.(Geriatrics)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... PHILADELPHIA -- The diabetes drug rosiglitazone appears to preserve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, G. Stennis Watson, Ph.D., reported at the Ninth International Conference on Alzheimer's...

Lifestyle affects brain metabolism, scans show.(Geriatrics)
October 1, 2004... PHILADELPHIA -- For patients who want to maintain their brains, Dr. Gary W. Small has the prescription. His new book. "The Memory Prescription: Dr. Gary Small's 14-Day Plan to Keep Your Brain and Body Young" (New York: Hyperion, 2004), is...

Advice geared toward healthy living may also help in preserving cognitive function.(Geriatrics)
October 1, 2004... PHILADELPHIA -- Tried and true preventive health advice may have a newly recognized benefit: prevention of cognitive impairment. New data presented at the Ninth International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders suggest...

Sleep problems and cognitive disorders linked.(Geriatrics)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... BALTIMORE -- Sleep disturbances are common in assisted-living facilities and may be linked to a variety of cognitive disorders Patrick J. Raue, Ph.D., said in a poster session at the annual meeting of the American Association for Geriatric...

DHEA boosts well-being in women with SLE.(Rheumatology)(dehydroepiandrosterone)(systemic lupus erythematosus)
October 1, 2004... BERLIN -- Restoring levels of androgenic hormones in women with systemic lupus erythematosus improves their sense of well-being, according to the findings of a yearlong study. Previous studies have shown that women with SLE have low plasma...

Newer SLE therapies don't reduce risk of mortality: patients who were young when diagnosed had a mortality rate 29 times higher than their peers.(Rheumatology)(systemic lupus erythematosus )
October 1, 2004... BERLIN -- Today there are more promising potential new therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus than patients in whom to test them--and that's good news, since current treatments reliant upon cytotoxic agents and corticosteroids are unable to...

Disease activity alone may deplete bone minerals in patients with lupus.(Rheumatology)
October 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- Systemic lupus erythematosus itself is a risk factor for low bone mineral density, independent of the use of bone mineral-depleting corticosteroids, Dr. Chin Lee said at the Seventh International Congress on SLE and Related...

Chronic RA pain treatment inadequate for most.(Rheumatology)(rheumatoid arthritis )
October 1, 2004... BERLIN -- Chronic pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients is an underappreciated and seriously undertreated problem, a landmark pan-European survey indicates. Two-thirds of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with chronic pain who...

'Pain free' called invalid criterion for RA remission.(Rheumatology)(rheumatoid arthritis )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... BERLIN -- Dropping "absence of pain" from the American College of Rheumatology's list of six criteria for remission of rheumatoid arthritis ought to be considered, Dr. Tuulikki Sokka said at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology. ...

Yale University study finds insulin pump therapy works better than Lantus[R].(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... First randomized, prospective study directly comparing insulin pumps versus injections with Lantus in pediatric patients concludes that insulin pump therapy is better for blood sugar control (1) Several studies have shown that insulin pump...

Hand OA predicts later knee, hip involvement.(Rheumatology)(osteoarthritis)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... BERLIN -- Patients with hand osteoarthritis are twice as likely as those without it to eventually develop OA in the knees or hips, particularly when the initial hand disease is in the metacarpal joints and at the base of the thumb, Dr. S.M.A....

Fish oil for rheumatoid arthritis.(AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH)
October 1, 2004... Rationale for Use The effects of fish oil supplementation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are both direct and indirect. Two omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, exert anti-inflammatory effects by...

Emphasize fitness over weight loss, expert says: one-quarter of U.S. adults--between 40 million and 50 million people--are completely sedentary.(Endocrinology)(Cooper Institute)
October 1, 2004... QUEBEC CITY -- Physical inactivity, more than obesity, is to blame for a large chunk of America's battle with chronic illness, according to Dr. Steven N. Blair, president and CEO of the Cooper Institute, a nonprofit research and education...

Gentle persuasion can get obese diabetic patients moving.(Endocrinology)
October 1, 2004... DETROIT -- Many studies have shown that lifestyle interventions can improve the health of patients with obesity and diabetes, but the challenge lies in bridging the gap between research and reality, Rosalind Peters, Ph.D., R.N., said at a...

Gastric bypass links hormone level with obesity.(Endocrinology)
October 1, 2004... VANCOUVER -- An appetite-related hormone found in remarkably low levels in people who have had gastric bypass surgery offers important clues on the underlying causes of obesity, Dr. David Cummings said at a meeting of the Teratology Society....

Glycemic control cuts memory loss in diabetes.(Endocrinology)
October 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Improved glycemic control appears to improve working memory in patients with type 2 diabetes, Dr. Mark W.J. Strachan reported at the annual scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association. A relatively large body...

Better Diabetes outcome achieved with dual intervention strategy.(Endocrinology)
October 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Diabetes outcomes improve when an endocrinologist provides face-to-face feedback and computerized reminders to internal medicine residents managing patients in a primary care setting, according to a study presented at the...

Posttrauma complications more common in diabetics.(Endocrinology)
October 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Trauma patients with diabetes mellitus are significantly more likely than are those without diabetes to have infectious, renal, and other complications while hospitalized, according to data presented at the annual scientific...

High iron stores tied to metabolic syndrome.(Endocrinology)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Elevated iron stores are associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, Megan Jehn reported at the annual scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association. If prospective studies...

Diabetes gets short shrift in primary care.(Endocrinology)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Time constraints in primary care may limit the delivery of diabetes-related services, according to a study of patient-physician interactions. More than 80% of physician visits by adults with type 2 diabetes are with a...

Candidates for intensive insulin therapy defined.(Adolescent Medicine)
October 1, 2004... KEYSTONE, COLO. -- Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes shouldn't be denied access to intensive insulin therapy on the basis of limited family competence in diabetes self-management, Tim Wysocki, Ph.D., said at a conference on...

New program encourages families to manage diabetes care.(Adolescent Medicine)
October 1, 2004... KEYSTONE, COLO. -- An innovative family-centered, shared-decision-making approach to management of type 1 diabetes being developed at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is turning heads in the diabetes community--and pointing the way...

Antidepressants should warn of suicidality risk: panels support black box warning based on data from 24 studies of antidepressants in pediatric patients.(Adolescent Medicine)
October 1, 2004... BETHESDA, MD. -- A black box warning alerting prescribers to the risk of suicidal behavior and ideation with antidepressants in pediatric patients will likely be added to the labels of antidepressants, as recommended by the majority of the...

Fluoxetine plus CBT called best approach for depressed teens.(Adolescent Medicine)
October 1, 2004... Depressed adolescents respond best to a combination of fluoxetine and cognitive-behavioral therapy, said Dr. John S. March of Duke University, Durham, N.C., and his colleagues on the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study. In a...

With anxiety, bingeing is top eating disorder.(Psychiatry)
October 1, 2004... MIAMI -- Binge eating was the most common eating disorder in a study of primary care patients screened for anxiety. Jennifer L. Francis, Ph.D., reported at the annual conference of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. "There is a...

Many U.S. troops not getting mental health care: 'unprecedented' report assesses prevalence of warrelated psychiatric disorders as fighting continues.(Psychiatry)
October 1, 2004... The first study of the mental health of U.S. troops who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan found that about one in six reported experiencing a mental health problem and one in eight reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Of those...

SSRIs top agents in treating posttraumatic stress disorder.(Psychiatry)(Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors )
October 1, 2004... MIAMI -- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the only class of medications shown to reduce all three symptom clusters in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder: re-experiencing, numbing/avoidance, and heightened arousal, Dr....

'Pathological bias' under consideration for DSM-V.(Psychiatry)(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Racism, a concept absent from DSM-IV, is under consideration for inclusion in DSM-V under the rubric "pathological bias," Dr. Carl C. Bell said at the annual meeting of the National Medical Association. In addition to racism,...

Doctor's orders: advise patients to stop smoking.(Psychiatry)
October 1, 2004... TORONTO -- Primary care physicians often don't provide smoking cessation counseling to their patients, according to an analysis of 5 years of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. Data gathered between 1997 and 2001...

Topiramate may reduce smoking in alcoholics.(Psychiatry)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Topiramate appears to reduce tobacco smoking in patients who are codependent on nicotine and alcohol. Dr. Bankole A. Johnson reported at the annual conference of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. While analyzing the...

Scratch below the surface to diagnose itches.(Dermatology)
October 1, 2004... NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. -- Not all itches arise from skin problems. Dr. Jeffrey Bernhard said at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association. A few neurologic anomalies and systemic disorders can get patients scratching and...

Subungual melanoma in nail streaks often missed: if pigmentation of the nail plate can be seen, it might be possible to locate the tumor.(Dermatology)
October 1, 2004... SEA ISLAND, GA. -- Subungual melanomas seem to travel under the radar screen of many physicians, and are diagnosed relatively late in the course of discase partly because of their relatively low incidence and an appearance that can commonly be...

Candidates for SLN biopsy identified.(Dermatology)(sentinel lymph node biopsy)
October 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- While investigators are still determining when and in which cases patients with thin melanomas should have a sentinel lymph node biopsy, Dr. Vernon Sondak gave his recommendations to physicians attending the annual meeting of...

Skin ca detection: look for what patients don't see.(Dermatology)(cancer)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- A patient's own observations can be helpful when conducting a skin cancer check, but it's important to look beyond the regions that the patient is looking at, Dr. Janet Hickman said at a meeting on primary care sponsored by the...

Whole-body CT scans pose some cancer risk.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... Whole-body CT scans used for screening purposes may increase cancer mortality, according to estimates from a new analysis. Using standard radiation risk estimation methods, David J. Brenner, Ph.D., D.Sc., and Carl D. Elliston of Columbia...

ePocrates Essentials, pocketRadio.(DIGITAL ASSISTANCE)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2004... Featured App: ePocrates Essentials Dedicated fans of Digital Assistance will recall our review of the ePocrates Rx drug reference in the Nov. 1, 2002, edition of INTERNAL MEDICINE NEWS. Although we make a conscious effort to present...

Head and neck cancers stalled with cetuximab.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... Cetuximab, a monoclonal epidermal growth factor receptor--blocking agent marketed by ImClone, was an effective adjunct to standard high-dose radiotherapy for the treatment of advanced and progressive head and neck cancers, Dr. James Bonner...

Distribution of primary cancers among living persons who have ever received a cancer diagnosis, 2001.(DATA WATCH)(Illustration)
October 1, 2004... Distribution of Primary Cancers Among Living Persons Who Have Ever Received a Cancer Diagnosis, 2001 Female Breast 22% Prostate 17% Colorectal 11%...

Think twice before prescribing HT for diabetic patients.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(hormone therapy)
October 1, 2004... Postmenopausal hormone therapy is associated with greater atherosclerosis progression in women with diabetes or abnormal fasting glucose than in their counterparts with normal glucose tolerance, according to the findings of a randomized,...

Health claim allowed for omega-3 fatty acids.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
October 1, 2004... The Food and Drug Administration has announced that the labels of foods containing omega-3 fatty acids now can state that eating these products--primarily oily fish, such as salmon, lake trout, tuna, and herring--may help reduce the risk of...

Bad weather looks good for cutting MI risk.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(myocardial infarction )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... MUNICH -- The weather has a marked effect on acute myocardial infarction rates, according to a Swiss epidemiologic study. "While bad for the mood, rainy days may be good for the heart," Dr. Remo Osterwalder said at the annual congress of...

ACTION trial resolves nifedipine safety debate: an unexpected benefit seen in the study was a 29% reduction in new-onset congestive heart failure.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... MUNICH -- A sometimes heated 9-year controversy regarding the safety of calcium channel blocker therapy in patients with stable coronary disease has finally been resolved in favor of the drug class, according to findings from a definitive...

Calcium channel blocker boosts endothelial function.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
October 1, 2004... MUNICH -- Nifedipine improves coronary endothelial function without significantly reducing atheromatous plaque size in patients with stable coronary artery disease, Dr. Thomas Luscher said at the annual congress of the European Society of...

Fenofibrate normalizes lipid profiles in patients with metabolic syndrome.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
October 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- For some patients with metabolic syndrome, 12 weeks of fenofibrate therapy appears to normalize dyslipidemia, according to a small Italian study. Although statins are effective for these patients, whose LDL-cholesterol...

Inactivity carries greater risk than high BMI.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(body mass index )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Physical inactivity and high body mass index are not necessarily equivalent in terms of predicting disease risk in women, according to findings from two studies. Inactivity predicted increased heart disease risk in women with suspected...

No pain, no gain in ACS.(CLINICAL CAPSULES)(acute coronary syndromes)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Patients who are hospitalized for acute coronary syndromes but who don't have chest pain are at high risk of dying, even if they don't prove to have MI, reported Dr. David Brieger of the University of Sydney (Australia) and his associates. ...

ICD alert feature found useful.(CLINICAL CAPSULES)(Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... A patient-alert feature that audibly warns patients of an abnormality in their implantable cardioverter defibrillators was found to facilitate early detection of some serious ICD complications, but it also missed a significant portion of them,...

Angioedema from ACE inhibitors rising.(CLINICAL CAPSULES)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The number of cases of serious angioedema is rising along with increasing use of ACE inhibitors, according to Dr. Damanpaul Sondhi and associates at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia. They reviewed the 5-year experience with...

Tirofiban may cut PCI complications.(CLINICAL CAPSULES)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Adding a high-dose (25 [micro]g/kg) bolus infusion of tirofiban to standard drug therapy just before high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions cut the rate of ischemic complications in a preliminary (phase II) study. "Our investigation...

Lifelong anticoagulant Tx warranted for APS.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(antiphospholipid syndrome)
October 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome run a risk of thrombosis that's high enough to warrant life-time use of anticoagulation therapy, Dr. Munther A. Khamashta asserted at the Seventh International Congress on SLE and Related...

Carotid stiffness may gauge CVD risk.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
October 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Measures of carotid arterial stiffness may prove predictive of risk for cerebrovascular disease, Dr. Joke M. Dijk reported in a poster presentation at a conference on cardiovascular disease epidemiology and prevention sponsored...

Aspirin-clopidogrel combo therapy after stroke is becoming more common.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- The use of aspirin and clopidogrel as combination antithrombotic therapy following ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack is increasing, Dr. Michael Frankel reported at a prevention conference on heart disease and stroke...

Outreach program boosts BP control rates: in experimental program, the rates went from 20% to 70% of hypertensive residents of one community.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(blood pressure)
October 1, 2004... DETROIT -- A blood pressure control program that proved highly effective in a rural community in the Republic of Georgia might do the same in underserved rural and inner-city areas in the United States, Dr. Clarence Grim said in presenting a...

Stages-of-change model helped control BP.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(blood pressure)
October 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- A telephone intervention based on the stages-of-change model of behavior change led to improved exercise and diet adherence, as well as lower blood pressure, in veterans with hypertension in a randomized study. The results...

Pregnancy-induced hypertension rate rising sharply.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- The incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension in the United States more than doubled between 1993 and 2000, national hospital discharge data show. The alarming trend is of serious concern because pregnancy-induced hypertension...

Community efforts narrow health care gaps.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
October 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- Eliminating the racial and ethnic disparities in heart disease and stroke in the United States will require new models of care and innovative, community-based collaborations and programs, experts agreed at a prevention conference on...

Hispanics least likely group to get treatment for high BP.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(blood pressure)
October 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- Hispanics have the lowest rates of hypertension treatment and control in the United States, and hypertension-related mortality in this population is on the rise, according to data from studies presented at a prevention conference on...

Infrared H. pylori detector.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The POCone is an infrared spectrophotometer that aids in the detection of active Helicobacter pylori infection. The device is intended for use with the BreathTek urea breath test. For more information, contact Meretek Diagnostics Inc.,...

Treat diarrhea caused by Giardia.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Alinia (nitazoxanide) tablets and oral suspension are approved for the treatment of diarrhea caused by Giardia lamblia in patients aged 12 years and older. For more information, contact Romark Laboratories L.C., www.alinia.com, 813-282-8544.

Anthrax quick ELISA test.(PRODUCTS)(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay anthrax )
October 1, 2004... The quick enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay anthrax test detects the antibodies to Bacillus anthracis. The test can be completed in 45 minutes. For more information, contact Immunetics Inc., 800-227-4765, www.immunetics.com.

Disable used needles.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The NeedleZap mobile health kit uses low-voltage electricity to disable needles and destroy blood-borne pathogens. The device can be used with standard needles sized 16-30 gauge. For more information, contact Health Care Logistics Inc.,...

Combination HIV-1 drug approved.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Epzicom (abacavir/lamivudine) is approved for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. The formulation is a fixed-dose combination of the antiretroviral drugs abacavir sulfate (600 mg) and lamivudine (300 mg). For more information on this product,...

Nasal congestion relief.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Claritin-D 12-hour and 24-hour (loratadine/pseudoephedrine sulfate) extended release tablets are indicated for the relief of nasal congestion due to the common cold in adults and children aged 12 years and older. For more information, contact...

Combination HIV-1 drug approved.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine) is a fixed-dose combination of the antiretroviral drugs tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300 mg) and emtricitabine (200 mg) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. For more information, contact Gilead...

Growth hormone replacement.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Saizen (somatropin [rDNA origin] for injection) is indicated for long-term growth hormone replacement in adults with confirmed growth hormone deficiency of either adult or childhood onset. For more information, contact Serono Inc.,...

Nasal wash for allergy relief.(PRODUCTS)(xlear)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Xlear nasal wash is now available for the relief of nasal irritation due to allergies, colds, and sinus infections. The nasal wash is a saline-based solution containing xylitol, which is a naturally-occurring sugar alcohol. For more information...

Adalimumab for RA.(PRODUCTS)(rheumatoid arthritis)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Humira (adalimumab) is now indicated for the improvement of physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. For more information, contact Abbott Laboratories, 800-633-9110, www.humira.com.

Physical rehabilitation aids.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Adjusticizer exercise system, the Cadlow shoulder stabilizer, and the AnkleTough rehabilitation straps help patients strengthen a range of muscles to prevent reinjury. For more information, contact DM Systems Inc., 800-254-5438,...