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Cellegy ends phase III microbicide trial in Nigeria

Cellegy Pharmaceuticals on Monday announced that it has ended phase Phase III clinical trials in Nigeria on its microbicide Savvy, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports (Loyd, Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/29).

30 Aug 2006

Pomegranate juice may decrease PSA progression in patients with cancer recurrence after treatment

Because of their high content of antioxidants, pomegranate juice is frequently recommended for cancer prevention and overall wellness. While small studies have suggested a role against prostate carcinogenesis, no organized trials have been published until now.

17 Aug 2006

FDA approves Plavix for STEMI heart attacks

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved the use of Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) for patients who have had a type of heart attack called acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), who are not going to have coronary artery repair (angioplasty).

17 Aug 2006

First treatment for Hunter disease

An article reporting results from a pivotal clinical trial that helped gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the first treatment for Hunter disease has been published online by the journal Genetics in Medicine.

16 Aug 2006

Iomai launches study of vaccine patch for travelers' diarrhea

Iomai Corporation has announced that it has begun enrollment of a Phase 2 trial designed to test its vaccine patch for travelers' diarrhea in volunteers traveling to sites in Mexico and Guatemala.

15 Aug 2006

Drug trial fiasco induced immune system overload in patients

The doctors who treated six British men in a trial of a drug in March which went horribly wrong, say they believe the men suffered an immune system overreaction known as a cytokine storm.

15 Aug 2006

Varenicline shown to help 'quit smoking'

A drug recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an aid to smoking cessation appears effective both short- and long-term for smokers trying to quit, according to two reports in the August 14/28 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

14 Aug 2006

Lipitor reduces the risk of a second stroke

Researchers have found that the drug Lipitor which is normally used to lower cholesterol, can cut the risk of a second stroke when used in double doses.

14 Aug 2006

Lipitor reduces stroke risk

In people who have experienced a stroke, but who have no known history of coronary heart disease, beginning regular treatment with the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin soon after the stroke can reduce the risk of recurrent stroke by 16 percent

9 Aug 2006

One dose of ketamine may help reduce severe depression

New research suggests that just one dose of the anesthetic ketamine appears to reduce depression in patients who show little improvement with standard medications.

8 Aug 2006

Experimental drug trial victim has cancer

One of the men who suffered severe reactions to an experimental drug during a drug trial in London, UK, says he now has cancer.

6 Aug 2006

Adding protein to a sports drink won't make you race faster

Adding protein to a carbohydrate-electrolyte sports drink did not improve cycling time trial performance compared to the sports drink alone.

3 Aug 2006

Curry compound may prevent colon cancer

According to the results of a small study compounds found in curry and onions may help prevent colon cancer in those at risk.

3 Aug 2006

Placebo study - brain activity predicts treatment results before medication begins

Treating major depression can be quite a puzzle, and a newly published UCLA study suggests medication is just one of many potential pieces.

2 Aug 2006

Nitric oxide reduces lung disease in premature, very-low-birth-weight infants

Delivering nitric oxide to the lungs of premature, very-low-birth-weight infants during their second week of life improves their chances of surviving without chronic lung disease, according to a national study of nearly 600 babies.

26 Jul 2006

Study shows heart drug digitalis safe in patients with diastolic heart failure

Despite a widely held belief that the heart drug digitalis shouldn't be given to patients with diastolic heart failure, a new analysis shows it is relatively safe.

26 Jul 2006

Eszopiclone significantly improves sleep in elderly people with chronic insomnia

The drug eszopiclone, marketed as Lunesta, significantly improved sleep in elderly people with chronic insomnia, according to a report by W. Vaughn McCall, M.D., M.S., and six colleagues.

25 Jul 2006

Naltrexone may increase the urge to drink

Naltrexone (NTX) is able to reduce drinking and craving among many alcoholics and heavy drinkers, but not all of them.

25 Jul 2006

Insufficient evidence exists to support the use of complementary and alternative therapies to relieve menopause

Complementary and alternative therapies show little benefit in treating menopause symptoms.

25 Jul 2006

FDA approves Elaprase (idursulfase) for Hunter syndrome

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Elaprase (idursulfase), the first product for the treatment of Hunter syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis II, or MPS II).

25 Jul 2006