Drug Formulary Review Archives – October 1, 2005
October 1, 2005
View Issues
-
New heart failure guidelines address aldosterone antagonists and ARBS
New heart failure guidelines not only recommend specific beta-blockers, but they also include an expanded discussion about the use of aldosterone antagonists and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). -
Pain management QI recommendations updated
To improve the quality of acute pain and cancer pain management, health care providers must do more than merely improve pain assessment and documentation, say new recommendations issued by the American Pain Society (APS) in Glenview, IL. -
Details of the updated APS guidelines
The American Pain Society (APS) in Glenview, IL, recently published its 2005 Quality Improvement Guidelines for the Treatment of Acute Pain and Cancer Pain in the July 25 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. -
Research News: Pre-PCI clopidogrel shows benefit
A recent study found that pretreatment with the anti-platelet drug clopidogrel (Plavix) before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) significantly reduced by 46% the odds of cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke within 30 days following PCI. -
FDA approves test that detects gene variations
The FDA has approved a new blood test that it says will help doctors make personalized drug treatment decisions for some patients. -
Lots of albumin (human) 25% recalled
ZLB Behring LLC has voluntarily recalled albumin (human) 25% (Albuminar), lot numbers C934009, C934110, C805209, C805309, C934210, and C934310. This action is being taken with the knowledge of the FDA. -
Cardiotoxicity information updated for trastuzumab
Genentech and the FDA have notified health care professionals of updated cardiotoxicity information related to the use of trastuzumab (Herceptin). -
New FDA Approvals
Combination measles, mumps, and rubella virus vaccine live (M-M-R II) and varicella virus vaccine live (Varivax) called ProQuad by Merck. The FDA has approved an attenuated live virus vaccine that is the combination of measles, mumps, and rubella virus vaccine live (M-M-R II) and varicella virus vaccine live (Varivax). -
Drug Criteria & Outcomes: Drug evaluation: Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride tablets (Focalin)
Trial 1: Wigal S, Swanson JM, Feifel D, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride and d,l-threo-methylphenidate hydrochloride in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2004;43:1,406-1,414. -
Drug Criteria & Outcomes: In The Pipeline
OncoGeneX Technologies has announced that the first patient has been treated in a Phase II clinical trial of OGX-011 in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin in chemotherapy naive patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. -
Organization releases guidelines for post-op atrial fibrillation
The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) in Northbrook, IL, has released evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and management of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery.