Internal Medicine Alert – January 15, 2006
January 15, 2006
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Pharmacology Watch
FDA Recommends Approval of Muraglitazar, But May Need To Reconsider; Which Antipsychotics Are More Dangerous?; Should CPOE Undergo Evaluation?; New Treatment for Tennis Elbow; FDA Actions -
Is it Better to Prescribe a Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor or Conventional NSAIDs to Prevent Adverse Gastrointestinal Events?
Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2) inhibitors may not be as safe as previously thought. These agents have a considerable risk of adverse gastrointestinal events. The concurrent use of ulcer-healing drugs appears to decrease this risk. -
Lamotrigine for Migraine with Aura
The strong correlation between reduction of aura symptoms and migraine attacks stresses the potential role of aura-like events and possibly cortical spreading depression as a trigger for trigeminal vascular activation, and subsequently the development of migraine headaches. -
Frequent Fliers
A very small group of patients consume a significant portion of outpatient primary care physician time. -
Infliximab for Induction and Maintenance Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis
Infliximab, an antibody against tumor necrosis factor, is effective in ulcerative colitis. -
Pharmacology Update: Mecasermin Injection (Increlex)
A new drug has been approved for the treatment of children with below average height who are resistant to growth hormone. Mecasermin is a human insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) that is produced by recombinant DNA technology. This protein is marketed by Tercica, Incorporated as Increlex. -
Clinical Briefs By Louis Kuritzky, MD
Risk of Death in Elderly Users of Conventional vs Atypical Antipsychotic Medications; Beta-Blockers to Prevent Gastroesophageal Varices in Cirrhosis Patients; Effects of Protein, Monounsaturated Fat, and Carbohydrate Intake on Blood Pressure and Serum Lipids -
ECG Review: Abnormal ECG in a 35-Year-Old Man
The ECG in the Figure was obtained from a 35-year-old man. Is it abnormal? What do you want to know