- Jamie Sheller | February 26, 2007 7:49 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsThere has been a link discovered between a metallic dye used as a contrasting agent in MRI scans and a dangerous skin disease. Patients with advanced kidney disease, who have had an MRI, are susceptible to the disease called nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy. The disease is also called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and it causes burning and itching, possibly leading to discoloration and...
- Jamie Sheller | February 24, 2007 1:31 PM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsThe FDA is requiring drug guides for all medications approved to treat ADHD. The guides are for use by patients, families and caregivers, and will carry information about the cardiovascular and psychiatric risks of the drugs. In May 2006, the FDA ordered revision of the labeling for ADHD drugs to address concerns about the risks of adverse cardiovascular and psychiatric symptoms. There have...
- Jamie Sheller | February 22, 2007 6:20 AM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsDue to reports of anaphylaxis, the FDA is requiring a black box warning on the label of Xolair. The black box will warn of the risk of life-threatening anaphylaxis with any dosage of Xolair. The drug is made by Genentech, and used to treat allergy-related asthma. The symptoms of anaphylaxis include chest tightness, swelling of the mouth and throat, dizziness, fainting, trouble breathing,...
- Jamie Sheller | February 17, 2007 4:34 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsThe ConAgra Foods plant in Sylvester, Georgia, was inspected by company and government scientists. They were trying to find the cause of the salmonella contamination that led to a peanut butter recall. The Peter Pan brand and some of Walmart's Great Value brand were linked to a nationwide outbreak of salmonella cases, and those brands of peanut butter was recalled. The plant in Sylvester,...
- Jamie Sheller | February 15, 2007 7:58 AM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsRotavirus is the leading cause of early childhood diarrhea. A new vaccine to protect against rotavirus has recently received a government warning. The FDA says that the vaccine, called RotaTeq, may be linked to a condition called intussusception, which is twisting of the intestines. The condition also occurs spontaneously. However, an increased risk of intussusception caused the market...
- Jamie Sheller | February 10, 2007 8:37 PM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsThere is an increased risk of mortality for bypass patients who have been treated with Trasylol (aprotinin). The results of a study indicating this link was recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. According to researchers, Trasylol was "associated with a 48% increase in risk of dying within five years of coronary artery bypass surgery. . . ." Trasylol is used to...
- Jamie Sheller | February 08, 2007 10:04 AM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsA reduced-strength version of the prescription fat-blocking drug Xenical, has been approved by the FDA. The OTC diet pill, which will be named Alli, is supposed to be used by adults, with diet and exercise for weight loss. According to Dr. Charles Ganley, of the FDA, "Using this drug alone is unlikely to be beneficial." This diet pill works by blocking the absorption of about a fourth of...
- Jamie Sheller | February 03, 2007 2:37 PM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsLiviro3, a dietary supplement made by Ebek, Inc. has been recalled. Though Liviro3 is not FDA approved to treat erectile dysfunction, it contains tadalafil, an erectile dysfunction drug. Tadalafil may lead to dangerously low blood pressure. It may also interact with the nitrates in some prescription drugs, such as drugs used to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and high...
- Jamie Sheller | February 01, 2007 7:45 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsRare cases of enlarged breasts in young boys have been linked to lavender and tea tree oils used in some soaps, shampoos and body lotions. Based on a preliminary study, the oils appear to disrupt boys' hormonal balance. The rare condition is called gynecomastia and it seems to clear up once the boys stop using the products containing lavender or tea tree oil. These two oils are plant based...