Over The Counter (OTC) Drug News and Research

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Marijuana effectiveness as an HIV self-care strategy

Those in the United States living with HIV/AIDS are more likely to use marijuana than those in Kenya, South Africa or Puerto Rica to alleviate their symptoms, according to a new study published in Clinical Nursing Research, published by SAGE.

31 May 2009

Boots OTC anti-aging cosmetic shown to reduce wrinkles

A product sold over the counter (OTC) in chemists across Britain has been shown to reduce wrinkles and improve the appearance of skin damaged by everyday exposure to sunlight.

29 Apr 2009

Safety of Bitter orange herbal weight loss product questioned

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is reportedly examining whether there are any risks associated with an over-the-counter (OTC) herbal weight loss programme sold in Australia.

13 Apr 2009

Branding still overshadows critical fine print on nonprescription medications

Medicine packages barrage consumers with information, some required to be "prominent" and "conspicuous."

1 Apr 2009

Thumbs down by experts on plans to make certain meds OTC

Government plans to make certain prescription-only drugs for common problems available over the counter have overwhelmingly been given the thumbs down by healthcare professionals, reveals a survey of readers of the influential Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin ( DTB ).

13 Jan 2009

Seniors warned about mixing OTC and prescription drugs

According to researchers in the United States about 2.2 million seniors put themselves at high risk for drug interactions - they say many non-prescription medication, which are bought over-the-counter (OTC) can produce a harmful drug interactions.

29 Dec 2008

DNA vaccine for SARS achieves neutralizing responses in first U.S. human trial

Vical Incorporated (NASDAQ:VICL) today announced that results from a Phase I clinical trial of a DNA vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in the November 25 issue of Vaccine(1), demonstrated that the vaccine was well-tolerated, and induced neutralizing antibody responses in 80% of the vaccinees and T-cell immune responses in all vaccinees.

10 Dec 2008

Experts call for FDA to address dramatic rise in skin cancer rates in the U.S.

Today keynote speaker Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY-18) joined with experts from New York Presbyterian Hospital; the Skin Cancer Foundation; 2006 Miss Maryland, a skin cancer survivor; Fallene LTD, and Ciba Corporation to call on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to address the dramatic rise in skin cancer rates in the United States.

20 Nov 2008

FDA warns Bayer HealthCare on over-the-counter aspirin product

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today sent Warning Letters to Bayer HealthCare concerning two unlawful, over-the-counter (OTC) aspirin products - Bayer Women's Low Dose Aspirin + Calcium (Bayer Women's) and Bayer Aspirin with Heart Advantage (Bayer Heart Advantage).

28 Oct 2008

Galapagos acquires structure-based drug discovery from Sareum

Galapagos NV and Sareum Holdings plc has announced today that Galapagos has acquired Sareum's assets in drug discovery services, for a total cash consideration of EUR 695,000 (£553,000). These assets will position Galapagos' service division BioFocus DPI strongly in the growing field of structure-based drug discovery.

26 Aug 2008

Aspirin, acid-blocker a-day keeps GI bleeding at bay

For patients with clogged heart arteries who take long-term, low-dose aspirin to prevent a cardiac event, adding a stomach acid-blocking drug to their daily routine has been shown to reduce their risk for upper gastrointestinal bleeding - an infrequent, but serious side-effect of regular aspirin use.

11 Aug 2008

Chlamydia antibiotic available over-the-counter in the UK

For the first time sufferers in the UK from the common sexually transmitted infection (STI) chlamydia will be able to buy an antibiotic to treat the infection over-the-counter (OTC), without a prescription from a doctor.

5 Aug 2008

Wal-Mart generic drug program to begin offering 90-day supplies of more than 350 medications for $10 each

Wal-Mart officials on Monday announced the company will expand its discount program for generic drugs to offer three-month supplies for $10, the AP/Google.com reports (Harris, AP/Google.com, 5/5).

6 May 2008

Biosimilar protein cooperation

A biosimilar protein that can be used to treat neutropenia (a side effect of cancer chemotherapy) is to be developed by Apotex Inc. of Canada in collaboration with Intas Biopharmaceuticals Limited (IBPL).

6 May 2008

Popular painkiller Nurofen Plus in danger of becoming a prescription only drug

Australia's National Drugs and Poisons Scheduling Committee (NDPSC) is apparently considering making one of the most commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) drugs available only with a prescription.

15 Apr 2008

Taking more than one NSAID may lead to complications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat arthritis, which affects one-third of all adults.

5 Feb 2008

OTC cough medicine: Not worthwhile for children or adults?

Alert parents know that small children should not take over-the-counter cough medications.

24 Jan 2008

Good old salt water the best for treating colds in children

Whoever said what goes round comes round was speaking in many ways a great deal of sense.

22 Jan 2008

U.S. health authorities warn about OTC cough and cold remedies for the under 2's

Health authorities in the United States are again warning about the dangers of giving children over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines.

20 Jan 2008

Perrigo receives FDA OK for OTC Cetirizine Hydrochloride tablets

Perrigo Company has announced that it has received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for over-the-counter (OTC) Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets, 5 and 10 mg.

2 Jan 2008