FDA Proposes Adding Vitamin D to Calcium Claim for Decreasing Osteoporosis Risk

Less restrictive labeling may promote new advertising and healthy choices by educated consumers.
Medscape Medical News
Yael Waknine

First-Time Generic Approvals: Paxil Suspension, Pamine, Mavik

The FDA has approved first-time generic formulations for paroxetine HCl 10-mg-5-mL oral suspension (Paxil); methscopolamine bromide 2.5- and 5-mg tablets (Pamine and Pamine Forte); and trandolapril 1-, 2-, and 4-mg tablets (Mavik).
Medscape Medical News
Yael Waknine

Higher Folate Intake Linked to Reduced Alzheimer's Risk

Investigators have shown a higher intake of folate is associated with a decreased risk for Alzheimer's disease in a cohort of subjects who had a high prevalence of vascular risk factors. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Overweight Girls at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

Being overweight in childhood is not benign, rather it should be viewed as a warning signal for obesity and risk for cardiovascular disease in adulthood, an NHBLI study in girls shows. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Adding Rituximab to Chemo with Autograft Improves Outcome

A large retrospective multicenter study shows that the combination boosted 5-year survival rates in high-risk B-cell lymphoma patients.
Medscape Medical News
Allison Gandey

FDA Approvals: FluMist and Alaway

The FDA has approved a cold-adapted formulation of a trivalent intranasal influenza vaccine (FluMist), and a nonprescription formulation of ketotifen fumarate 0.025% ophthalmic solution (Alaway). (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms May Increase Coronary Heart Disease Risk

In a prospective study, a higher level of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder was associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease in older men. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Natriuretic-Peptide Assay May Be Prognostic in Stable Coronary Heart Disease

An assay for NT-proBNP seems to predict cardiovascular risk in patients with stable coronary heart disease independently of standard assessments that include echocardiography and stress testing. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Gene Mutations Predict Treatment Outcomes in Leukemia

Researchers have shown that treatment responses vary depending on the genetic makeup of leukemia cells, and they recommend screening as part of the initial workup in younger adults with normal karyotype acute myeloid leukemia.
Medscape Medical News
Allison Gandey

Dutch Living Donor Kidney Exchange Program Has High Success Rate

A national exchange program in the Netherlands found successful matches for 49% of living kidney donor-recipient pairs who had incompatible blood types or positive crossmatches.
Medscape Medical News
Marlene Busko

Sunitinib and Sorafenib Confirm Efficacy in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Publication of phase 3 studies confirms the efficacy of both new drugs, and will lead to a paradigm shift in the way that renal cell carcinoma is being treated, experts say.
Medscape Medical News
Zosia Chustecka

Rotigotine Patch Effective in Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease

Transdermal rotigotine, a dopamine agonist, is effective in controlling symptoms of early-stage Parkinson disease, a new study suggests.
Medscape Medical News
Caroline Cassels

New Guidelines Issued for Treatment of Small-for-Gestational-Age Children

The Societies of Paediatric Endocrinology and the Growth Hormone Research Society have issued a statement about diagnosis and treatment strategies for SGA children through adulthood. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

FDA Safety Changes: Avastin and Remicade

The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for bevacizumab intravenous infusion (Avastin) and infliximab intravenous infusion (Remicade). (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Infectious Mononucleosis Linked to Multiple Sclerosis Risk

A cohort study showed that the risk for MS is increased in people with previous infectious mononucleosis, regardless of sex, time since the illness, or severity of infection. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Is Medicare Reimbursement Policy for Erythropoietin in ESRD Flawed?

This question is examined in a new Perspective by Dr. Robert Steinbrook in the New England Journal of Medicine; an earlier editorial by Dr. Steinbrook, critical of industry's ties with anemia-treatment guidelines in kidney disease, was "spiked" by that journal, according to the Wall Street Journal, but later published in the Lancet.
Medscape Medical News
Marlene Busko

FDA Orphan Drug Approvals: SIGA-246, Ampydin, TTI-1612

The FDA has granted orphan drug status for a proteinase inhibitor (SIGA-246); an immediate release, oral version of 4-aminopyridine (Ampydin); and a small, orally available recombinant protein (TTI-1612).
Medscape Medical News
Yael Waknine

Clinical Tool Determines Need for Spine X-Ray in Osteoporotic Postmenopausal Women

A study shows that 6 clinical parameters provide adequate data to justify spine radiography to determine vertebral fractures in these women presenting with back pain. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Carvedilol Suppresses Central Sleep Apnea; OSA Linked to Family History of CAD Death

One study found the central apnea index is lower with a higher beta-blocker dose; another suggests that patients with obstructive sleep apnea are twice as likely to have a family history of CAD death. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Immunization Schedule Updated for Children and Teens

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the American Academy of Family Physicians have updated the immunization schedule for children and teens. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Trastuzumab Benefits HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients

An analysis from the Herceptin Adjuvant study showed a significant benefit in overall survival at 2 years when trastuzumab is used after adjuvant chemotherapy in early HER2-positive breast cancer. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Anticoagulant-Associated ICH on the Rise

The incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage associated with anticoagulant use rose 5-fold during the 1990s and up to 10-fold in the elderly. Although still of benefit for many with atrial fibrillation, the risks of warfarin should continue to be carefully weighed, authors say.
Medscape Medical News
Susan Jeffrey

Influenza Vaccination May Reduce Mortality in Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Influenza vaccination was associated with improved survival in hospitalized adults with CAP during influenza season, suggesting an additional benefit of enhanced flu vaccine coverage.
Medscape Medical News
Laurie Barclay

FDA Approvals: Radiesse and Colon CAR 1.2.1

The FDA has approved 2 new indications for an injectable dermal filler (Radiesse) and an image analysis software tool (Colon CAR 1.2.1).
Medscape Medical News
Yael Waknine

Migraine Linked to Greater Risk for Major Depression, Chronic Physical Symptoms

Women with chronic migraine headaches are at greater risk for depression and other severe chronic physical symptoms, a new study suggests.
Medscape Medical News
Caroline Cassels

Two Parkinson's Disease Drugs May Cause Valvular Dysfunction

A pair of case-control studies have confirmed a link between valve disease and some ergot-derived dopamine antagonists and support evidence that other drugs have the same effect. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Simple Antenatal Preparation Improves Breast-Feeding Practice

In a randomized trial, a single antenatal face-to-face counseling session coupled with providing educational materials improved breast-feeding practices up to 3 months' postpartum. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Risk for Myocardial Infarction Is Not Increased in Men With Hypertension Who Drink Moderately

Men who drank 1 or 2 drinks per day were less likely to have myocardial infarction during a 16-year follow-up study, according to the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Chronic Cough, Phlegm in Young Adults Predict Increased Risk of Developing COPD

Independent of smoking, chronic cough and phlegm in young adults are strong predictors of increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Hurdles Remain in Bringing Antiangiogenics to Clinical Practice

Agents targeting vascular endothelial growth factor are showing great promise, and some say they could become the standard of care in the frontline treatment of metastatic breast cancer, but many questions have yet to be answered as researchers investigate.
Medscape Medical News
Allison Gandey