Page 1 of 29

Treatment-resistant bipolar disorder: Ketamine reduces symptoms of depression within 40 minutes

A single intravenous dose of the anesthetic agent Ketamine appears to reduce symptoms of depression within 40 minutes among those with bipolar disorder who have not responded to other treatments. Bipolar disorder is one of the most severe psychiatric disorders and ranks in the top 10 causes of me...
Read Article

Atypical antipsychotics among older adults with dementia: FDA warnings linked to reduced use

The use of atypical antipsychotics to treat elderly patients with dementia appears to have decreased following a 2005 FDA ( Food and Drug Administration ) advisory regarding the risks of these medications in this population. Clozapine ( Clozaril, Leponex ), the first second-generation or atypical...
Read Article

High-dose Simvastatin associated with increased risk of muscle injury

Based on review of data from a large clinical trial and data from other sources, the FDA ( Food and Drug Administration ) has informed the public about an increased risk of muscle injury in patients taking the highest approved dose of the cholesterol-lowering medication, Zocor ( Simvastatin ) 80 mg,...
Read Article

HIV infection: Saquinavir in combination with Ritonavir linked to abnormal heart rhythm

The FDA ( Food and Drug Administration ) is reviewing clinical trial data about a potentially serious effect on the heart from the use of Invirase ( Saquinavir ) in combination with Norvir ( Ritonavir ). The data suggest that together the two drugs may affect the electrical activity of the heart. ...
Read Article

Head and neck cancer: robot-assisted surgery appears useful for removal of some tumors

Robot-assisted surgery appears feasible for treatment of selected head and neck cancers. Since the introduction of the surgical robot in 1999, robot-assisted cardiac, gynecologic and urologic procedures have become widely accepted. In these specialties, robotic procedures have been associated with l...
Read Article

Head and neck tumor: post-treatment pain associated with recurrence, lower survival rate

Patients with head and neck tumor who experience a higher level of post-treatment pain appear to have a lower survival rate than those who experience little or no post-treatment pain. Pain is an important but infrequently analyzed symptom in head and neck cancer and may play a predictive role in ...
Read Article

Multiple sclerosis: breastfeeding associated with a reduced risk of relapse

Women with multiple sclerosis who breastfeed exclusively for at least two months appear less likely to experience a relapse within a year after their baby's birth, according to a report published in the Archives of Neurology. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central ner...
Read Article

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: JC virus is found to be reactivated in multiple sclerosis patients receiving Natalizumab

The virus responsible for PML ( progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy ), a rare brain disease that typically affects AIDS patients and other individuals with compromised immune systems, has been found to be reactivated in multiple sclerosis patients being treated with Natalizumab ( Tysabri ). T...
Read Article

Cancer risks from computed tomography scans

Doses of radiation from commonly performed computed tomography ( CT ) scans vary widely, appear higher than generally believed and may contribute to an estimated tens of thousands of future cancer cases, according to two reports published in Archives of Internal Medicine. CT scans have become inc...
Read Article

Influenza: safety information on Tamiflu and Relenza

Tamiflu ( Oseltamivir ) and Relenza ( Zanamivir ) are both neuraminidase enzyme inhibitors. They act by inhibiting entry of influenza virus into uninfected cells and preventing the release of recently formed virus particles from infected cells. Tamiflu is given orally ( capsules and solution ) and ...
Read Article