Medscape Pharmacists Headlines

Reversal of Proteinuric Renal Disease and the Emerging Role of Endothelin

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Endothelin has a prominent role in the pathogenesis of proteinuric renal disease. The current article examines how endothelin promotes renal disease as well as medications that can antagonize endothelin.
Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology

Everolimus Potential Alternative for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:49:20 EDT

The mammalian target of rapamycin might prolong progression-free survival in patients who have already tried other targeted therapies.
Medscape Medical News

Genetic Variants Associated With Risk of Statin-Induced Myopathy

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:32:00 EDT

The findings, according to investigators and an accompanying editorial, suggest greater emphasis in pharmacogenomics could be placed on safety, such as identifying patients who might be at particular genetic risk of adverse drug reactions.
Heartwire

CDC: About 5% of Kids Have ADHD

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:54:00 EDT

ADHD is twice as common in boys as in girls; ADHD diagnoses were up 3% annually from 1997
WebMD Health News

Daptomycin May Be Effective for Skin and Skin Structure Infections

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:42:00 EDT

A study showed that daptomycin was effective for SSSI, with similar outcomes for methicillin-resistant S aureus and methicillin-susceptible S aureus.
Medscape Medical News

Low Vitamin D Levels Independent Predictor of Fatal Stroke

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:22:25 EDT

Low levels of vitamin D appear to be an independent predictor of fatal stroke -- a finding that suggests supplementation may be a promising approach for stroke prevention.
Medscape Medical News

The Role of Alpha 2 Agonists in the Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Paradigm

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:05:36 EDT

Up to 35% of patients with ADHD do not benefit from or cannot tolerate stimulant agents. Can alpha agonists help to fill the gap?
Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health

Gene Variants May Help Predict Response to Antidepressant Therapy

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:37:33 EDT

Multiple variations in the serotonin-transporter gene SLC6A4 have been linked with depression remission in white, non-Hispanic adults treated with citalopram -- a finding that may help clinicians determine which patients will respond to this antidepressant.
Medscape Medical News

Gestational Impaired Glucose Tolerance Linked to Postpartum Metabolic Dysfunction Outcomes

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A study shows that pregnant women with gestational impaired glucose tolerance may have the same adverse outcomes as women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
Medscape Medical News

Antibiotic Prophylaxis Recommended Immediately Before Pediatric Spinal Fusion

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

All children undergoing spinal fusion should have preoperative antibiotics administered within 60 minutes before incision to reduce the risk for deep surgical site infection, in a case-control study.
Medscape Medical News

Sorafenib Increases Survival in Advanced Liver Cancer

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib significantly extended overall survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and also increased the median time to radiologic progression.
Medscape Medical News

FDA Safety Changes: Asmanex Twisthaler, Advair HFA, Avelox

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for mometasone furoate powder, fluticasone propionate plus salmeterol xinafoate aerosol, and moxifloxacin HCl tablets and moxifloxacin injection.
Medscape Medical News

Predictors of Severe Infantile Hyperbilirubinemia Identified

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

The strongest predictors in infants with borderline bilirubin levels were gestational age, bruising, family history, and rapid rise in total serum bilirubin; phototherapy was effective in this study.
Medscape Medical News

Statin No Better Than Placebo in Improving Function in Learning-Disabled Children

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:22:14 EDT

A new study concludes simvastatin is no better than placebo in improving cognitive function of children with neurofibromatosis type 1, one of the most common single-gene disorders affecting learning.
Medscape Medical News

Efficacy and Safety of a Vaccine Patch Against Travelers' Diarrhea Caused by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:12:11 EDT

Can wearing a patch ensure a healthy vacation?
AccessMedicine from McGraw-Hill

Topiramate Linked to Birth Defects, but Results Should Be Interpreted With Caution

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:22:57 EDT

Preliminary results suggest that taking the antiepileptic drug topiramate during pregnancy, either alone or in combination with other antiepileptic drugs, has been linked to an increased risk for congenital malformations. However, study investigators and other experts say the findings should be interpreted with caution.
Medscape Medical News

Strategies for Successful Breast-Feeding Are Reviewed

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Although breast-feeding offers significant health benefits for infants and mothers, the United States continues to fall short of breast-feeding goals set by the Healthy People 2010 initiative.
Medscape Medical News

Sildenafil May Improve Women's Antidepressant-Related Sexual Dysfunction

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Women with antidepressant-associated adverse sexual effects who also received sildenafil vs placebo had improved sexual function, in a recent trial.
Medscape Medical News

FDA Approvals: KINRIX and Metvixia

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

The FDA has approved diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis adsorbed and inactivated poliovirus vaccine and a revised indication for methyl aminolevulinate 16.8% cream.
Medscape Medical News

PEG3350 May Be Helpful for Children With Functional Constipation

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

In a randomized controlled trial, polyethylene glycol 3350 was effective in the short-term treatment of children with functional constipation and established the most effective starting dose.
Medscape Medical News