Archive for January, 2009
« Previous EntriesPopular Antidepressants: How They Stack Up
Thursday, January 29th, 2009Researchers Rank 12 Common Antidepressants on Efficacy, Acceptability
To rate the 12 antidepressants studied, researchers used two separate measures. The first was efficacy — or how likely patients were to experience the desired effects of the drug. The second was acceptability — the likelihood that a patient would continue using a drug for the duration of [...]
Study deems Zoloft, Lexapro best newer antidepressants
Thursday, January 29th, 2009An analysis of 117 studies found that among 12 newer antidepressants, Forest Laboratories’ Lexapro and Pfizer’s Zoloft are the most well-tolerated and effective in decreasing symptoms after eight weeks of therapy. Providers can use the findings to determine “individual side-effect profiles, explore costs and patients’ preferences, and collaborate in identifying the best treatment,” a psychiatrist [...]
Should Thinning Wallets Mean Untreated Illnesses?
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009by Angie Drakulich (PharmTech Blog)
Two new studies highlight the steps-some of them too risky-that patients are taking to protect their pockets from totally emptying.
One study from the Center for Studying Health System Change reports that one in seven children and working-age Americans went without a prescription drug in 2007 because of cost concerns. That number [...]
Are doctors minimizing side effects of statins?
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009UCSD researcher’s report suggests some downplayed
Doctors who prescribe an increasingly popular family of drugs to prevent strokes and heart attacks may be downplaying the wide range of side effects, said a UCSD researcher who helped analyze nearly 900 studies of cholesterol-lowering statins.
Physicians who fail to recognize those complications – willfully or through ignorance – could [...]
How strong are your bones? DEXA-Scan can tell you
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009Don’t wait until your bones get so brittle that they break and fracture more easily than normal. A routine DEXA-Scan is the term used for “Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry.” It is a simple, fast and safe way to determine the presences and or risk of developing osteoporosis by detecting low bone density before bones weaken [...]
New drug may help treat frailty in seniors.
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009Â HealthDay (1/27, Preidt) reported, “A drug designed to increase the body’s production of growth hormone may help treat frailty in older adults,” according to a study from Duke University researchers. Nearly 400 seniors “were randomly selected to take either a placebo or one of four doses of the investigational drug capromorelin. All four doses of [...]
US FDA seeks more data on bloodthinner PlavixUS FDA seeks more data on bloodthinner Plavix
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009US FDA seeks more data on bloodthinner Plavix
U.S. health regulators are reviewing the effectiveness in some patients of the widely used blood thinner Plavix, made by Sanofi-Aventis SAÂ and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
The move comes after several studies found the blockbuster drug did not work as well in certain people possibly because patients metabolized it differently depending [...]
Generics often a good drug option
Monday, January 26th, 2009Generics often a good drug option
Generic drugs should be considered a viable, smart choice, especially in tough economic times
Source: Fredericksburg.com
MORE and more patients are arriving in the office with one of those nasty forms from their insurance companies telling the doctor they should change the patient from this or that expensive, name-brand medicine to [...]
Understanding Depression and antidepressant medications
Sunday, January 25th, 2009Understanding Depression and antidepressant medications
Source:Â dddnews.com
Approximately 121 million people are affected by depression worldwide, which causes the illness to be the leading cause of disability, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
“In my experience as a practicing psychiatrist, I’ve seen that many people with depression don’t realize that they have the condition or that it’s [...]
Millions in U.S. can’t afford their medicines, study says
Saturday, January 24th, 2009Number forgoing getting prescriptions filled increases
When your doctor writes you a prescription, she expects you’ll get it filled.
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But 36 million Americans didn’t fill a prescription they needed in 2007 because they couldn’t afford it, according to a study published this week by the Center for Studying Health System Change.
That’s an increase from the estimated 24.4 [...]
