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___________________ NEW FEATURE ARTICLES THIS WEEK ____________________

THROMBOLYSIS WITH SARUPLASE VERSUS STREPTOKINASE IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL
INFARCTION: FIVE-YEAR RESULTS OF THE PRIMI TRIAL
Adverse event rates remain high in both treatment groups despite the
patient cohort's low-risk profile.
Am Heart J 138(3):518-524, 1999
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13687.rhtml
Read it Here

EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS IN MEN STILL TO BE ESTABLISHED
Are non-sex hormonal antiresorptive drugs and bone formation-stimulating
drugs that successfully treat osteoporosis in women effective in men?
Drugs and Ther Perspect 14(6):8-10, 1999
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13711.rhtml
Read it Here

THE DISKUS(REG) INHALER
Examine a proposed alternative to the metered-dose inhaler for the delivery
of asthma drugs.
Clin. Drug. Invest. 18(4):287-296, 1999
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13874.rhtml
Read it Here

INFLUENCE OF DIENOGEST ON OVULATION IN YOUNG FERTILE WOMEN
Can this drug be used reliably and safely as the progestin compound in oral
contraceptives?
Clin. Drug. Invest. 18(4):271-278, 1999
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13685.rhtml
Read it Here

LONG-TERM NITRATE USE MAY BE DELETERIOUS IN ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE: A STUDY
USING THE DATABASES FROM TWO LARGE-SCALE POSTINFARCTION STUDIES
A multicenter study demonstrates that prolonged nitrate intake is
associated with an increased risk of mortality.
Am Heart J 138(3):577-585, 1999
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13722.rhtml
Read it Here

MEDLINE ABSTRACTS - PHARMACOGENOMICS: THE MOVE FROM GENOMIC INFORMATION TO
THERAPEUTIC APPLICATION
What's new concerning the application of genomic information to clinical
practice? Find out in this easy-to-navigate collection of recent MEDLINE
abstracts compiled by the editors at Medscape Molecular Medicine.
Medscape, 1999
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13735.rhtml
Read it Here

CONFERENCE REPORT - ADVANCES IN THE TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS
Novel therapeutic options show promise in the prevention and treatment of
osteoporosis.
Medscape Women's Health 4(6), 1999
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13740.rhtml
Read it Here

OFFICE MANAGEMENT OF MANIA AND DEPRESSION
Primary care providers in particular should maintain a high index of
suspicion for mania and depression, the hallmarks of mood disorders.
Clinician Reviews 9(8):49-51, 55-58, 61-62, 64-65, 67-68, 71-73, 1999.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13873.rhtml
Read it Here

TODAY'S QUESTION --

TODAY'S ?? - BARBITURATES EFFECTIVE IN LENNOX-GASTAUT?
Are barbiturates effective for managing pediatric patients with
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome?
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13689.rhtml
Read it Here

TODAY'S ?? - CYCLOOXYGENASE-2 INHIBITORS
Do cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (celecoxib [Celebrex] and rofecoxib [Vioxx])
produce upper gastrointestinal ulcers?
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13876.rhtml
Read it Here


_______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________ NEWS ______________________________

FDA HEARING HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS OF HIV RESISTANCE TESTING IN DRUG DEVELOPMENT
'The FDA heard overwhelming evidence that HIV drug resistance testing is an
important tool for improving drug development,' said Nicholas Hellmann, MD,
vice president of Clinical Research at ViroLogic and a member of the RCG.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13716.rhtml
Read it Here

PETS PLUS ACE INHIBITORS IMPROVE CONTROL OF BLOOD PRESSURE REACTIVITY IN
HYPERTENSIVES
Among individuals with hypertension, the addition of a pet to treatment
with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor further controls
blood pressure under stress.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13741.rhtml
Read it Here

LIDOCAINE EFFECTIVE FOR TREATING MIGRAINE HEADACHES
Self-administered intranasal lidocaine is effective in relieving migraine
headaches, according to research published in the September issue of the
journal Headache.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13742.rhtml
Read it Here

DEXAMETHASONE INCREASES RISK OF INFECTION IN INFANTS WITH VERY LOW BIRTH
WEIGHTS
Very low birth weight infants receiving dexamethasone have an increased
risk of developing blood or cerebrospinal fluid infections, researchers
report.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13749.rhtml
Read it Here

MATERNAL INGESTION OF NIMESULIDE RESULTS IN NEONATAL RENAL FAILURE
A single case of maternal ingestion of nimesulide as a tocolytic was
associated with neonatal acute renal failure, Italian researchers report in
the November 6th issue of The Lancet.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13750.rhtml
Read it Here

PRETREATED PATIENTS MAY NOT ATTAIN UNDETECTABLE HIV RNA LOADS
Stable reductions in plasma and seminal HIV RNA load may not be possible
for treatment-experienced patients using currently available combination
antiretroviral therapies.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13751.rhtml
Read it Here

AGE IMPORTANT FACTOR IN WARFARIN TREATMENT IN CHILDREN
In children requiring warfarin anticoagulation, age has a 'profound' effect
on management, Canadian researchers report in the November 1st issue of the
journal Blood.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13754.rhtml
Read it Here

HEPATOCELLULAR TUMORS REDUCED WITH CISPLATIN/EPINEPHRINE GEL TREATMENT
Percutaneous intratumoral injection of a cisplatin/epinephrine gel
combination appears to significantly reduce hepatocellular carcinoma
burden, a Hong Kong investigator reported this week at the 17th Annual
Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium in New York City.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13756.rhtml
Read it Here

TROXACITABINE SHOWS PROMISE AS LEUKEMIA TREATMENT IN PHASE I STUDY
Use of the dioxolane nucleoside troxacitabine caused marrow hypoplasia in
36% of leukemia patients treated in a phase I study, according to findings
presented at the Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium in New York.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13758.rhtml
Read it Here

THERAPEUTIC PROGESTAGENS INCREASE RISK OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM
Progestagens increase the risk of venous thromboembolism when used at
therapeutic levels but not when used for contraception, two papers in the
November 6th issue of The Lancet show.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13761.rhtml
Read it Here

ANTIPLATELET DRUGS HALVE RISK OF EARLY DEATH AFTER ISCHEMIC STROKE IN ASIA
Prophylactic use of antiplatelet drugs not only helps prevent stroke in
high-risk patients but also reduces the risk of early death after acute
ischemic stroke by nearly half, according to the results of a multinational
Asian study.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13779.rhtml
Read it Here

RISPERIDONE ENHANCES FRONTAL CORTICAL ACTIVATION IN SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS
Risperidone, one of the newer atypical antipsychotics, enhances the
activation of brain areas associated with working memory, according to a
report in the November 9th issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13792.rhtml
Read it Here

PEGYLATED INTERFERON EFFECTIVE, SAFE FOR CHRONIC HEPATITIS C WITH CIRRHOSIS
An investigational drug, interferon alpha-2A modified by attachment of
polyethylene glycol (PEGinterferon), produced a 43% end-of-treatment
response rate in patients with chronic hepatitis C and compensated
cirrhosis, according to results of a multicenter international trial
presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the
Study of Liver Diseases.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13797.rhtml
Read it Here

CHEMO PLUS RADIATION BOOSTS SURVIVAL IN SOME HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS
Weekly chemotherapy added to daily radiation has boosted survival from
about 20% at 5 years to 48% in the 3 years of follow-up to date in selected
patients with head and neck cancer.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13801.rhtml
Read it Here

NOVEL PROTEIN MAINTAINS HEMOGLOBIN IN DIALYSIS PATIENTS
Novel erythropoiesis-stimulating protein (NESP) maintains hemoglobin levels
in dialysis patients just as effectively as recombinant epoetin alfa, with
the benefit of once-weekly dosing, scientists reported at the November 8th
American Society of Nephrology Meeting in Miami Beach, Florida.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13802.rhtml
Read it Here

USE OF IBOGAINE TO TREAT DRUG ADDICTION EXAMINED
Clinical, cultural, and political issues concerning the use of the drug
ibogaine to treat drug addition were subjects of a conference held at the
New York University School of Medicine on November 5 and 6.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13803.rhtml
Read it Here

PROTEASE INHIBITOR THERAPY IMPLICATED IN ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION
A link between endothelial dysfunction and protease inhibitor therapy was
described by Dr Melissa A Klein at the 72nd meeting of the American Heart
Association here on Monday.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13804.rhtml
Read it Here

TRANSDERMAL ESTROGEN REDUCES RISK OF CVD IN HYPERTENSIVE POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN
Transdermal estrogen favorably modifies several factors associated with an
increased risk of cardiovascular disease in hypertensive postmenopausal
women, Italian researchers report in the October issue of the American
Journal of Hypertension.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13805.rhtml
Read it Here

RISPERIDONE, OLANZAPINE
With the exception of long-term reductions in psychotic symptoms,
risperidone and olanzapine have comparable efficacy in patients with
schizophrenia, according to a report in the October issue of the Journal of
Clinical Psychiatry.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13806.rhtml
Read it Here

HYDROXYUREA MAY CUT RISK OF RECURRING STROKE IN CHILDREN WITH SICKLE CELL
DISEASE
Hydroxyurea may help prevent strokes from recurring in pediatric patients
with sickle cell disease, according to a small prospective study published
in the November 1st issue of Blood.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13809.rhtml
Read it Here

EXPERIMENTAL DRUG RELIEVES IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME IN WOMEN
The 5-HT3 receptor antagonist alosetron significantly improves both pain
and bowel function in women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13813.rhtml
Read it Here

LAMOTRIGINE EFFECTIVE AS ADJUNCTIVE THERAPY FOR PARTIAL EPILEPTIC SEIZURES
IN CHILDREN
Lamotrigine is a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for children with
partial seizures, according to the results of a placebo-controlled study.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13816.rhtml
Read it Here

COMBINATION THERAPY REDUCES AMPUTATION IN SOFT TISSUE SARCOMAS
Results from three Italian triaIs suggest that hyperthermic antiblastic
perfusion with doxorubicin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a
safe and effective regimen that reduces the need for amputation for
patients with advanced soft tissue limb sarcomas.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13822.rhtml
Read it Here

ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIBING LINKED TO LOCAL ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
Antibiotic prescribing patterns in general medical practices appear to be
linked to the emergence of antibiotic resistance in the same clinics,
according to a report in the November 6th issue of The British Medical
Journal.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13826.rhtml
Read it Here

GORE WANTS FASTER ACCESS TO GENERIC DRUGS
Vice President Al Gore on Monday accused some brand-name drug makers of
harming consumers by unfairly delaying access to cheaper generic
medications, a practice he vowed to stop if elected president.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13832.rhtml
Read it Here

PRICE OF DRUGS FOR HUMANS MORE THAN DOUBLE THAT FOR ANIMALS
Results of a study released on Monday by Representative Tom Allen (D-ME)
showed that eight drugs sold for both human and animal uses cost more than
twice as much for human use as for animal use.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13833.rhtml
Read it Here

BRISTOL-MYERS WARNED BY FDA ABOUT PRESENTATION AT ICAAC
The Food and Drug Administration has sent a warning letter to Bristol-Myers
Squibb citing violations of federal law in promoting hydroxyurea (Hydrea or
Droxia) for unapproved use.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13840.rhtml
Read it Here

SSRIS MODULATE NEUROSTEROID ENZYME ACTIVITY
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) directly affect the
efficiency of 3-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3-alpha-HSD), an enzyme
critical to the production of certain neurosteroids, according to a report
in the November 9th issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13842.rhtml
Read it Here

LAMIVUDINE MAY BE MORE COST-EFFECTIVE THAN INTERFERON FOR TREATMENT OF
HEPATITIS B
At the meeting of the American Society for the Study of Liver Diseases, UK
researchers reported on a cost-benefit analysis comparing treatment of
chronic hepatitis B with interferon or lamivudine.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13850.rhtml
Read it Here

ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS LINKED TO MAJOR CONGENITAL DEFECTS
Antiepileptic drugs taken alone or as part of multidrug regimens during
pregnancy can significantly increase the risk of congenital abnormalities,
according to results from a large retrospective cohort study.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13851.rhtml
Read it Here

RAMIPRIL REDUCES RISK OF MI, STROKE AND DEATH IN HIGH-RISK PATIENTS
The ACE inhibitor ramipril significantly reduces the incidence of MI,
stroke and death in patients at high cardiovascular risk who do not have a
low ejection fraction or heart failure, according to results of the Heart
Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) Study.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13856.rhtml
Read it Here

DELIBERATE OBFUSCATION OF CLINICAL TRIALS DATA SUSPECTED
Despite the best intentions of the peer review process, misleading drug
research can and does make its way into reputable medical journals.
http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/13866.rhtml
Read it Here

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