Internal Medicine Alert – February 15, 2004
February 15, 2004
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Today’s Therapeutic Options for Hot Flashes
Since the results of the Womens Health Initiative randomized trials, many fewer postmenopausal women are using estrogen to control hot flashes. Alternatives include progesterones, antidepressants in low doses, caffeine avoidance, exercise, phytoestrogens, and black cohosh. -
Another Tool for a Common Problem
Intranasal fluticasone helps sleep-disordered breathing in patients with allergic rhinitis. -
Rosuvastatin vs Atorvastatin
In heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients, rosuvastatin produced significantly greater reductions in LDL cholesterol, increases in HDL cholesterol, beneficial changes in other lipid values, and achievement of NCEP cholesterol goals than observed with equivalent doses of atorvastatin, with a similar adverse event profile. -
Coumadin and Mechanical Valves — What’s the Right INR?
The meta-analysis by Vink and colleagues demonstrates that patients with either aortic or mitral valve replacement will benefit from high-intensity VKA therapy. -
Pharmacology Update: Olanzapine and Fluoxetine Capsules (Symbyax — Lilly)
The FDA has approved a combination of olanzapine and fluoxetine for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. -
Clinical Briefs
Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Aspirin in Polycythemia Vera; Coronary Artery Calcium Score Plus Framingham Score for Risk Prediction; Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis -
ECG Review: What a Difference a Lead Makes
The telemetry rhythm strip shown in the Figure was obtained from a 67-year-old woman who presented with heart failure. A permanent pacemaker had been implanted a number of years earlier. How does the addition of a second simultaneously recorded lead help in your interpretation? How many findings can you identify on this two-lead telemetry tracing? -
Pharmacology Watch: Valacyclovir Reduces Genital Herpes Transmission
A once-a-day dose of a valacyclovir reduces the rate of transmission of genital herpes (HSV-2) from an infected partner to an uninfected susceptible partner, according to a new study.