Posts tagged Drug Products

• Potential Effects of Taking Ibuprofen and Aspirin Together

  Jamie Sheller | September 11, 2006 2:03 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  The FDA recommends patient counseling about appropriately using aspirin and ibuprofen together. Use of the two products together may reduce the effectiveness of aspirin taken for cardioprotection and stroke prevention. Studies show that when ibuprofen and aspirin are taken concurrently, "ibuprofen interferes with the antiplatelet activity of low dose aspirin (81mg, immediate release) ..." To...

• Black Box Warning For Asthma Drug Xolair

  Jamie Sheller | February 22, 2007 6:20 AM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Due 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,...

• Link Between Advandia and Heart Attacks

  Jamie Sheller | May 24, 2007 10:39 AM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  The FDA has issued a safety alert about the drug Advandia, which is used to treat type-2 diabetes. Data from some trials of the drug show that patients taking Advandia have a potentially serious increased risk of heart attack and heart-related death. Other studies show contradictory results. As of right now, the FDA is not requiring GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of Advandia, to take any action...

• Heparin contaminated with Counterfeit Ingredient

  Jamie Sheller | March 12, 2008 12:53 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  In January 2008, Baxter Healthcare voluntarily recalled various lots of its blood thinner, Heparin. The recall was due to an increase in reports of adverse patient reactions. These reactions included abdominal pain, decreased blood pressure, chest pain, loss of consciousness, and hypotension. This voluntary recall was followed by a more extensive recall mandated by the FDA in February of...

• Risk of Congestive Heart Failure With Gleevec

  Jamie Sheller | July 25, 2006 1:54 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  The drug Gleevec is a successful treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia. However, a study led by Dr. Thomas Force of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, indicates that the drug may be linked to damage to the heart muscle. According to the study, several patients with normal heart function when starting to take Gleevec, developed congestive heart failure between one and 14 months...

• What Is Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy/Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis?

  Jamie Sheller | March 24, 2007 8:30 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) is an acquired disorder found in patients with renal failure. The disorder is also known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF). This disorder causes fibrotic nodules and plaques to develop on the skin. Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy or Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis can also lead to limited range of motion, due to tightening of the skin and impaired...

• FDA Panel Recommends Strongest Warning for ADHD Drugs

  Jamie Sheller | February 15, 2006 1:26 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  An advisory panel of the FDA voted to recommend "black box" warnings on popular drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The warning would indicate that the drugs may be linked to an increased risk of death and injury. A "black box" warning is the strongest warning available for prescription drugs, and this recommendation comes after reports of 25 deaths, including 19...

• Trasylol linked to 22,000 Deaths

  Jamie Sheller | February 21, 2008 12:52 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Trasylol, or aprotinin, is a blood clotting drug that is used during open heart surgery. Bayer Pharmaceuticals manufactured this drug beginning in 1993. As early as January 2006, studies were released that reported an increase risk of severe adverse reactions, including kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke in patients treated with this product. One medical researcher opined that 22,000...

• Everybody Makes Mistakes!

  Jamie Sheller | December 04, 2007 3:50 PM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  We have all goofed up now and then. However, some mistakes costs more than others. Just recently, certain hospitals have gained national attention for misadministering medication to infants. According to the Los Angeles Times, approximately 1.5 million Americans per year are injured after receiving the wrong medications or the incorrect dose. While we may never know who is to blame,...

• Fentora Manufacturers Distribute New Warning

  Jamie Sheller | September 19, 2007 11:36 AM | 0 CommentsPhiladelphia, PA Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs
  

  Earlier this week, Cephalon, Inc., the drug manufacturer of Fentora issued two letters to warn doctors that Fentora has been linked to serious adverse events, including death. Doctors are supposed to use Fentora to treat cancer patients who are experiencing breakthrough pain and are already tolerant to opioid therapy. Cephalon, however, believes that Doctors may have prescribed Fentora to...