Generic Drugs Approved to Treat Restless Legs Syndrome (May 9, 2008)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved generic versions of the drug Requip® (ropinirole hydrochloride) to treat RLS/PLMD.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) May Increase the Risk for Breast Cancer Recurrence (March 25, 2008)
Recent studies indicate that hormone replacement therapy, which may be used to reduce symptoms of menopause, increases the risk for recurrence in women who have had breast cancer.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation Issues New Guidelines Regarding Bone Density Testing (February 25, 2008)
Although postmenopausal women are at the highest risk for bone loss, men, especially those over the age of 70, should also receive osteoporosis screening.
Studies Show that the Incidence of Strokes in Middle-Aged Women Has Tripled in Recent Years (February 20, 2008)
This increase is thought to be related to larger waistlines, increased belly or abdominal fat, and higher body mass indexes (BMI).
Popular Cholesterol Medication Under FDA Review (January 25, 2008)
Studies are ongoing to determine if combination cholesterol-lowering drugs, including Vytorin®, actually lower stroke and heart attack risk more effectively than other medications.
Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medicines Should Not Be Used in Young Children (January 17, 2008)
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these products carry a high risk for serious, potentially life-threatening, side effects in children under 2 years of age.
Human-to-Human Spread of Bird Flu Virus Confirmed (December 27, 2007)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified a single case of avian flu transmission from person to person in Pakistan.
FDA Releases Information about the Safety of Common Heartburn Medications (December 10, 2007)
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recent studies indicate that Nexium® and Prilosec® do not increase the risk for cardiac events.
Mutated Cold Virus Is Becoming More Common (November 15, 2007)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a new variation of a virus that causes the common cold, some types of pneumonia and bronchitis, and other infections has resulted in 10 deaths in the United States over the past 18 months.
Recent Study Shows that Drug-Resistant Infections May Be Increasing (October 16, 2007)
According to the American Medical Association, more than 90,000 people contract potentially deadly staph infections each year in the United States.
Food and Drug Administration Approves New Smallpox Vaccine (September 1, 2007)
This second-generation vaccination may be used to protect against infection during a bioterrorist attack.
Deaths from West Nile Virus Increased in 2006 (June 7, 2007)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 177 people from the disease last year in the United States.
FDA Recommends New Antidepressant Warnings (May 2, 2007)
These medications may increase the risk for suicidal thinking and behavior in young adults during the first one to two months of treatment.
Health Agencies Recommend Circumcision to Help Prevent the Spread of HIV (March, 28 2007)
Male circumcision, the use of male and female condoms, and abstinence are important preventative measures.
MRI Scans Recommended for Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer (March, 28 2007)
According to the American Cancer Society, as many as 1.4 million women in the United States should have yearly magnetic resonance imaging tests.
FDA Issues Warning About Common Anemia Drugs (March 9, 2007)
Studies have shown that these medications increase the risk for death in patients who have cancer and kidney disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), One in Four Women in the United States is Infected with HPV (February 27, 2007)
About 20 million women between the ages of 14 and 59 is infected with some form of the virus, which can cause cervical cancer.
A New Test May Better Identify Prostate Cancer Risk (February, 26 2007)
The PSA density test compares prostate size with prostate-specific antigen levels.
Abuse of Prescription and Over-the-counter Drugs Rising Among Teenagers (December 21, 2006)
A yearly study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that an increasing number of teens are using cough syrup to get high.
Drug-coated Heart Stents May Increase the Risk for Blood Clots (December 7, 2006)
A Food and Drug Administration panel backs the long-term safety of these popular life-saving medical devices.
FDA Approves New Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes (October 17, 2006)
Medication helps to lower blood sugar levels with fewer side effects than older drugs.
Severe Psoriasis May Increase the Risk for Heart Attack (October 10, 2006)
Study indicates that the increased risk could be linked to inflammation.
Food Safety Concerns (October 9, 2006)
Additional regulations may be necessary amid questions about possible produce contamination.
Study Shows Multiple HPV Infections May Increase the Risk for Cervical Cancer (July 20, 2006)
Women who contract more than one strain of human papillomavirus (HPV) are more likely to develop pre-cancerous lesions.
First Once-a-day Medication Approved For HIV Patients (July 12, 2006)
Combination drug may slow progression of resistant strains of the human immunodeficiency virus.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Approves Cervical Cancer Vaccine (June 8, 2006)
The new vaccine has been approved for girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26.
Latest Study Challenges Earlier Claims for High-Risk Breast Cancer Patients (June 5, 2006)
Recent data has raised controversy regarding the effectiveness of raloxifene and tamoxifen.
Study Shows Many in the U.S. Do Not Receive Preventative Medical Care (May 23, 2006)
According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, many Americans miss out on important prevention services.
Newer Drug Helps Prevent Breast Cancer in High-Risk Women (April 17, 2006)
According to the National Cancer Institute, raloxifene (Evista®) is as effective as tamoxifen and causes fewer side effects.
United States to Develop Additional Bird Flu Vaccine (March 6, 2006)
Health officials say a second vaccine is necessary in response to mutations of the virus that causes bird flu.
Major AIDS Study Halted (January 18, 2006)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) abruptly discontinued an international drug study, which had enrolled more than 5,000 HIV patients.
Chemotherapy Delivered Through an Abdominal Catheter May Increase Survival in Women with Stage III Ovarian Cancer (January 4, 2006)
The longest survival time to date in patients with advanced disease has been reported.
Prescription Heartburn Medications May Cause Intestinal Inflammation (December 19, 2005)
Study shows that patients who regularly take these drugs have an increased risk for potentially dangerous diarrhea caused by bacteria.
Enrollment Begins for Medicare's New Prescription Drug Plan (November 15, 2005)
Seniors have until May 15, 2006 to make a decision.
Herceptin May Be Effect Against Aggressive Forms of Early Breast Cancer (October 19, 2005)
In women with early-stage disease, studies have shown the drug reduces the risk for recurrence by as much as 50%.
Genetic Link to Tourette's Syndrome Found (October 13, 2005)
Gene appears to contribute to some cases of the complex neurological disorder.
Study Finds Paxil® May Cause Birth Defects (September 28, 2005)
In a study sponsored by the drug's manufacturer, infants born to women who took the drug during the first trimester of pregnancy were found to have approximately double the risk for birth defects.
Early Removal of Polyps May Decrease the Risk for Colorectal Cancer (September 16, 2005)
Approximately 95% of colon cancer cases develop from benign (noncancerous) polyps that can be removed easily.
Birth Control Patch May Be Riskier than Birth Control Pills (July 17, 2005)
Some reports indicate that the risk for developing blood clots while using the birth control patch is about three times higher than while using birth control pills.
Company Reports Potential Flaws in as Many as 50,000 Implanted Defribrillators (June 17, 2005)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises patients who have a device manufactured by Guidant Corp. to talk to their doctors.
Confusing Packaging Information Leads to Children's Tylenol® Recall (June 3, 2005)
Confusing directions could lead to overly high dosing of the over-the-counter pain reliever.
Contraceptive Sponge Returned to U.S. Market (April 22, 2005)
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the sale of the Today Sponge, which was withdrawn from the market in 1995.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Issues Warning About the Dangers of Steroid Use in Children and Adolescents (April 5, 2005)
Physicians urge parents and coaches to take a strong stand against performance-enhancing drugs and against a "win-at-all-costs" attitude.