Drug Repurposing
A reader has sent along the question: "Have any repurposed drugs actually been approved for their new indication?" And initially, I thought, confidently but rather blankly, "Well, certainly, there's. . . and. . .hmm", but then the biggest example hit me: thalidomide. It was, infamously, a sedative and remedy for morning sickness in its original tragic incarnation, but came back into use first for leprosy and then for multiple myeloma. The discovery of its efficacy in leprosy, specifically erythema nodosum laprosum, was a complete and total accident, it should be noted - the story is told in the book Dark Remedy. A physicia...
Source: In the Pipeline - August 28, 2014 Category: Chemists Tags: Clinical Trials Source Type: blogs
Am I supposed to be suffering?
I read stories all over the internet and in print about people who are suffering from, a victim of, or a survivor of some ailment I have. I do not consider myself to be suffering, a victim of, or a survivor of any damn thing. I am just living.I do have a new ailment.... Oh joy. But its not that exciting to me. Its called... drum roll.... are you ready.... well.... its.... dry eyes. See, its not exciting just like I said it wasn't and I probably blogged about it before. But its just another little pain in the ass thing in my life. A sign that my body continue to fall apart at an amazing rate. Dry eyes don't sound that...
Source: Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog - March 18, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: ailments annoyance dry eyes medication costs suffering Source Type: blogs
What Makes a "Memorable" DTC Ad? The Restasis Case Study
(Source: Pharma Marketing Blog)
Source: Pharma Marketing Blog - January 10, 2014 Category: Pharma Commentators Tags: Allergan DTC Advertising Restasis Source Type: blogs
How Manipulated Clinical Evidence Could Distort Guidelines - the Case of Statins for Primary Prevention
This study excluded many patient for whom the statins were not contraindicated or warned against: uncontrolled hypertension; type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus on insulin or with a HgBA1C at least 10%; and body weight more than 50% "desirable limit for height." (Based on the official contraindications and warnings for commonly used statins, e.g., see contraindications for Lipitor here, active liver disease, pregnancy for likely to become pregnant, nursing mothers, hypersensitivity to the medicine; and warnings: use of cyclosprine or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, renal impairment.) Thus ...
Source: Health Care Renewal - December 3, 2013 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Tags: American College of Cardiology American Heart Association clinical trials conflicts of interest evidence-based medicine guidelines manipulating clinical research review articles Source Type: blogs
Pre-Clinical Study of Inhaled Propylene Glycol Found No Adverse Respiratory Effects
This study provides pre-clinical evidence that the use of propylene glycol as an excipient for the delivery of drugs by inhalation appears to be acutely safe.The study adds to existing evidence of the acute safety of inhaled propylene glycol. However, further study of the potential long-term effects of propylene glycol inhalation is necessary.Nevertheless, these results help support the contention that the use of electronic cigarettes to quit smoking is a reasonable clinical approach to smoking cessation. (Source: The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary)
Source: The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary - October 29, 2013 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Source Type: blogs
Tolvaptan
True about tolvaptan:
a) ADH antagonist
b) Rifampicin can decrease its efficacy
c) Cyclosporine can increase its effect
d) All of the above
Correct answer: d) All of the above
Effects of rifampicin and cyclosporine are because of the influence on tolvaptan metabolism by the CYP 3A pathway. (Source: Cardiophile MD)
Source: Cardiophile MD - October 26, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Prof. Dr. Johnson Francis MD, DM, FACC, FRCP Edin, FRCP London Tags: Cardiology MCQ DM / DNB Cardiology Entrance ADH tolvaptan Source Type: blogs
MKSAP: 56-year-old woman with Sjögren syndrome
A 56-year-old woman is evaluated during a follow-up visit for a 6-year history of Sjögren syndrome treated with low-dose hydroxychloroquine and cyclosporine eyedrops. She has had two episodes of cutaneous vasculitis, which resolved with corticosteroids.
On physical examination, temperature is 36.4 °C (97.6 °F), blood pressure is 116/64 mm Hg, pulse rate is 72/min, and respiration rate is 18/min. Oral mucous membranes are dry. There is a new firm, left parotid gland enlargement without tenderness or warmth, reported by the patient to be progressive over several months, with asymmetry of the parotid glands.
Laboratory stu...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - October 5, 2013 Category: Family Physicians Tags: Conditions Cancer Rheumatology Source Type: blogs
FDLI 2013: Insights in Enforcement, Litigation & Compliance for Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturers
The Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI) recently held its annual Advertising & Promotion Conference, which included in-depth presentations, discussions and updates from various government officials and industry insiders regarding interesting cases, new policies and guidance, and enforcement actions and criminal investigations.
Representatives from all four of FDA's medical product centers (CBER, CDER, CDRH, and CVM), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Justice Consumer Protection Branch, and the Federal Trade Commission provided attendees with the...
Source: Policy and Medicine - October 2, 2013 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Authors: Thomas Sullivan Source Type: blogs
Pfizer Pays $491M For Illegal Rapamune Marketing That Targeted Blacks
One of the more sensational whistleblower episodes has finally been resolved now that Pfizer has agreed to pay nearly $491 million to settle civil and criminal charges that Wyeth, which the drugmaker purchased four years ago, spent a decade promoting the Rapamune kidney transplant drug for a variety of unapproved uses, and these resulted in false claims submitted to federal healthcare programs.
The pair of lawsuits drew considerable attention because the drugmaker was accused of targeting African-Americans, a high-risk patient group. Wyeth managers were allegedly aware of limited data for Rapamune use in such patients, but...
Source: Pharmalot - July 30, 2013 Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: esilverman Source Type: blogs
Pharmalot... Pharmalittle... Good Morning
Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. Yes, the middle of the week is here and, as always, there is much to do. Of course, this can be a good thing, unless you planned to take the day off. If not, then it's time to get cracking. So grab a cup of something stimulating and dig in to the menu of tidbits below. Meanwhile, we hope your day is filled with accomplishments and do stay in touch by writing to ed@pharmalot.com We accept classified information...
Roche And AstraZeneca To Share Early Trial Data (The Wall Street Journal)
Astellas Signs $490M Pact With Cytokinetics (Pharma Times)
Common Meds With Caffe...
Source: Pharmalot - June 26, 2013 Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: esilverman Source Type: blogs
Causes of pappilledema (bilateral) with good optic nerve function
increased intracranial pressure malignant hypertension toxins (amiodarone,cyclosporine) sleep apnea syndrome uveitis, eg. sarcoidosis (Source: neurologyminutiae)
Source: neurologyminutiae - April 8, 2013 Category: Neurologists Source Type: blogs
Biomarkers May Signal Early Transplant Rejection
A team of researchers in the Department of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have discovered a set of biomarkers that could detect early signs of chronic heart transplant rejection — a process that is often undetectable until function of the heart has been irreversibly compromised. The team, led by Kevin P. Daly, MD, and David M. Briscoe, MD, of the Transplant Research Program (TRP) at Boston Children’s Hospital, and S. Ananth Karumanchi, MD, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, published their findings online in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplant...
Source: Medgadget - January 11, 2013 Category: Technology Consultants Authors: Ravi Parikh Tags: Cardiac Surgery Diagnostics in the news... Source Type: blogs
