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A new sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) has been approved by the FDA. Empagliflozin follows canagliflozin (Invokana) and dapagliflozin (Farxiga)as the third entry in this group. These drugs reduce plasma glucose levels by reducing renal absorption of filtered glucose. Empagliflozin is marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim as Jardiance.
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In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, clonidine and venlafaxine both proved superior to placebo in reducing hot flashes in breast cancer patients. The study was insufficiently powered to prove superiority of one drug over the other. However, venlafaxine produced earlier reductions and it appeared clonidine had more sustained effect (i.e., at 12 weeks of treatment).
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Tadalafil, Eli Lillyâs blockbuster drug for erectile dysfunction, has now been approved to treat signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Tadalafil is the first drug of its class to be approved for this indication.
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From a large cohort of women followed prospectively and with an adjunct meta-analysis of existing evaluable studies, a clearly demonstrated, nearly universal (i.e., across tumor types) incremental increase in cancer incidence was observed with advancing height.
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A newly developed instrument to measure brief physical activity counseling in primary care demonstrates that physicians need to do a better job.
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Recent retrospective studies in Europe have created concern because of an observed increased risk of cancer (hazard ratio = 1.55) in users of insulin glargine (GLAR) compared to nonusers.
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The authors conclude that patients with coronary stents undergoing an invasive procedure are at high risk of perioperative cardiovascular and bleeding complications, and that these are associated with a high mortality.
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In this issue: Medication poisonings in children; rosuvastatin vs atorvastatin for atherosclerosis; saw palmetto for prostate symptoms; using atypical antipsychotics for off-label indications in adults; and FDA actions.
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Mr. Evans is Executive Editor of the Infectious Disease Group at AHC Media LLC, in Atlanta, GA; he writes for Hospital Infection Control & Prevention and the HICprevent blog at http://hicprevent.blogs.reliasmedia.com/. This article originally appeared in the October issue of Hospital Infection Control & Prevention.
