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FDA is asking the manufacturers of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists to add new safety information to the Warnings and Precautions section of the drugs? labels about an increased risk of diabetes and certain cardiovascular diseases.

New safety information has been added to the label for the HIV antiviral drug saquinavir (Invirase, Genentech), describing potentially life-threatening side effects on heart function when used with ritonavir (Norvir, Abbott Laboratories), another HIV antiviral medication, FDA announced.

FDA is requiring a labeling change and Medication Guide to warn patients and healthcare providers about the possible risk of atypical thigh-bone (femoral) fracture in patients who take bisphosphonates for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

For women with epilepsy, the risk of infertility increases with each additional antiepileptic drug, and more than one-third may be unable to conceive, according to research published online October 11 in Neurology and reported by HealthDay News.

Older cancer patients who receive intravenous bisphosphonate therapy may be at a modestly increased risk for atrial fibrillation (AF), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and stroke, according to research published online October 12 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, HealthDay News reported.

Bromfenac ophthalmic solution (Bromday, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) 0.09% has been granted FDA approval as a once-daily prescription eyedrop for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in patients who have undergone cataract extraction.

In patients with chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis, 60 mg to 120 mg of duloxetine hydrochloride, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), administered daily, was found to provide both significant pain control and improve physical functioning.

FDA has approved onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox, Allergan Inc.) injection to prevent headaches in adult patients with chronic migraine. To prevent chronic migraine, onabotulinumtoxinA is injected about every 12 weeks in multiple sites around the head and neck to try to dull future headache symptoms.

FDA has approved acetaminophen injection (Ofirmev, Cadence Pharmaceuticals), the first intravenous formulation of acetaminophen for the management of mild-to-moderate pain, moderate-to severe-pain with adjunctive opioid analgesics, and the reduction of fever.

Dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim) has received FDA approval for the prevention of stroke and blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation.

APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc., will launch its new APP Drug Hotline on Wednesday, November 10, 2010.

An updated consensus statement on the management of hypertension among African Americans places significant emphasis on a comprehensive assessment and appropriate risk stratification of individual patients with hypertension, stated a report published online October 4 in Hypertension, HealthDay News reported.

In a new randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in the October 13, 2010 Journal of the American Medical Association, trial investigators demonstrated that the use of buprenorphine implants (Probuphine, Titan Pharmaceuticals) could reduce opioid use over a 24-week study period.

According to the findings of the DECISIONS survey study published in a September/October supplement of Medical Decision Making, Americans frequently find themselves faced with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and depression medication decisions that they are ill prepared to make.

According to the findings of the DECISIONS survey study published in a September/October supplement of Medical Decision Making, Americans frequently find themselves faced with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and depression medication decisions that they are ill prepared to make.

Pharmacists speak out about choosing the right antibiotic, prescription drug abuse, and generic acquisition costs.

Lack of patient awareness coupled with ballooning numbers of diabetes cases across the United States have impelled pharmacies and organization to make diabetes care and education a priority.

In late September, presenters at the annual meeting of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reported their phase 1 evaluation findings for the Pharmacy Quality Alliance medication-use demonstration project.

To help provide consumers with some protection against winter ailments, manufacturers have introduced a number of new treatments and preventives for dry lips and cold sores, as well as cold and flu medicines for children.

Jon Roth, who has 20 years' experience in healthcare and healthcare association management, will begin his new role as CEO of the California Pharmacists Association on Nov. 22.

A question was posed to students of a pharmacy ethics class. In every case, the answers given by the students were different from the responses of the practicing pharmacists.

Many community pharmacists do not want to get the influenza vaccination; they don't think they need it, and employer incentives aren't there, a new study reveals.

A survey of new Rx, new generic, and new OTC products

Recreational drug use has evolved over the years and "pharming" - kids lifting pills from the folks' medicine cabinets - is now second only to marijuana use.

A growing body of data supports greater pharmacist involvement in medication safety, said speaker Deb Saine at a recent Pharmacy OneSource webinar.

The pharmacist sitting in the office is interested in squeezing out another penny per prescription. The pharmacist behind the locked gate is interested in going home before midnight. Both cannot happen. A side must be chosen.

Interventions for medication adherence should be multifaceted, speakers told attendees at the recent Pharmacy and Technology Conference in San Diego sponsored by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

Ongoing diabetes education facilitated by qualified diabetes educators can reduce healthcare costs and improve health outcomes for those diagnosed with diabetes and those at high risk for the disease.