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Rockefeller University Hospital opens clinical trial into statin-associated muscle complaints

The most widely prescribed class of drugs in the country, statins have helped millions of people lower their cholesterol and reduce their risk of heart attacks - but their side effects, including muscle pain and cramping, have proven to be something of a sore point for many patients.

14 Apr 2009

Review of homeopathic medicines in easing cancer therapy symptoms

Drugs and radiotherapy given for cancer can cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, dermatitis, and menopausal symptoms.

14 Apr 2009

Oral etoricoxib provides pain relief after surgery

Oral etoricoxib is at least as effective as other drugs commonly used for pain relief after surgery.

14 Apr 2009

PPI prescribed for asthma ineffective and too expensive

According to researchers in the U.S. millions of asthma patients taking the drug Nexium, (esomeprazole), or a similar drug are doing so unnecessarily.

13 Apr 2009

Rapid test shows whether Alzheimer's drugs are hitting their target

A test developed by physician-scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis may help assess more quickly the ability of Alzheimer's drugs to affect one of the possible underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease in humans, accelerating the development of new treatments.

12 Apr 2009

FDA approves Benzyl alcohol lotion for head lice

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new prescription medication for the treatment of head lice (Pediculosis capitis) infestation.

12 Apr 2009

Treatment for acid reflux does not improve asthma symptoms

A commonly used treatment for acid reflux does not improve asthma symptoms or control in patients who do not have symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), according to a new study supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health and by the American Lung Association (ALA).

12 Apr 2009

Merck & Co and Cardiome sign agreement for Vernakalant

Merck & Co., Inc. and Cardiome Pharma Corp. has announced a collaboration and license agreement for the development and commercialization of vernakalant, an investigational candidate for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

9 Apr 2009

Prescription heartburn medications do not ease asthma symptoms

The predominance of heartburn among asthma sufferers led many specialists to suspect that acid reflux could be a trigger for the coughing, wheezing and breathlessness of asthma.

9 Apr 2009

Seroquel XR supplemental NDA recommended for approval

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee (PDAC) conducted a review of the safety and efficacy of supplemental new drug applications (sNDA) for Seroquel XR (quetiapine fumarate) extended-release tablets proposed for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

9 Apr 2009

Enzyme therapy with agalsidase alfa may slow the progression of kidney disease

For men with Fabry disease, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with agalsidase alfa slows deterioration of kidney function, reports a study in the online edition of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

9 Apr 2009

National study results change common method of treating asthma

A nationwide study of adults with asthma reveals no benefit for treatment for silent acid reflux, which long has been thought to be the culprit for some severe asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.

8 Apr 2009

Acupressure wristbands ease nausea in cancer treatment

Cancer patients who wore acupressure wristbands had much less nausea while receiving radiation treatment, making the bands a safe, low-cost addition to anti-nausea medication, according to a study in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers.

8 Apr 2009

Trial of new biologic agent to treat psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis affects about 11 percent of patients with psoriasis.

8 Apr 2009

Homeopathy in dogs pilot indicates need for larger clinical trial

Results from a small, rigorously designed, research study at the University of Bristol's Department of Clinical Veterinary Science have pointed the way towards a larger clinical trial of homeopathy for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs.

7 Apr 2009

Experimental vaccine shows promise for the treatment of early lung cancer

An experimental vaccine that triggers the patient's immune system to identify and attack specific tumor cells is showing new promise for the treatment of early lung cancer.

6 Apr 2009

Link between widely used osteoporosis drugs and heart problems probed

New research at Wake Forest University School of Medicine evaluated the link between a common class of drugs used to prevent bone fractures in osteoporosis patients and the development of irregular heartbeat.

6 Apr 2009

Premature ejaculation spray delays orgasm six times longer than normal

Men with premature ejaculation who used a topical spray five minutes before intercourse were able to delay their orgasm six times longer than normal, according to a study in the April issue of BJU International.

6 Apr 2009

Zosano Pharma presents positive results for needle-free osteoporosis therapy

Zosano Pharma, Inc., a privately held pharmaceutical company developing products using a novel transdermal delivery technology, has presented positive results from its phase 2 study of the ZP-PTH rapid delivery patch for the treatment of osteoporosis at the 8th International Symposium on Osteoporosis in Washington, D.C.

6 Apr 2009

Bionovo announces publication of positive phase 2 trial results for Menerba

Bionovo, Inc. has announced the online publication of a peer-reviewed article in the journal, Menopause, reporting Menerba(TM) (formerly MF101) is well tolerated, safe and effective for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) associated with menopause.

2 Apr 2009