In a retrospective study, diabetic patients who were taking metformin had worse cognitive performance than those not taking the drug (odds ratio 2.23, 95% CI 1.05-4.75), Eileen Moore, PhD, of the University of Melbourne in Australia, and colleagues reported online in Diabetes Care.
Additionally, patients with diabetes who had vitamin B12 levels less than 250 pmol/L also had worse cognitive performance (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.12-4.66), and the association between metformin and cognitive impairment was weakened after adjusting for vitamin B12 levels, they stated.
Pharma
Notes from the Field: Acetyl Fentanyl Overdose Fatalities — Rhode Island, March–May 2013
The GC/MS toxicology results for 10 of the 12 decedents showed, in addition to acetyl fentanyl, various mixtures of other drugs, including cocaine (58%), other opioids (33%), ethanol (25%), and benzodiazepines (17%).
via Notes from the Field: Acetyl Fentanyl Overdose Fatalities — Rhode Island, March–May 2013.
So what do you do when you see a script for Naloxone prescribed by an EM specialist?
Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products > Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial Drugs: Drug Safety Communication- Risk for possibly permanent nerve damage
ISSUE: FDA has required the drug labels and Medication Guides for all fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs be updated to better describe the serious side effect of peripheral neuropathy. This serious nerve damage potentially caused by fluoroquinolones may occur soon after these drugs are taken and may be permanent.
Acetaminophen: Drug Safety Communication – Association with Risk of Serious Skin Reactions
FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients that acetaminophen has been associated with a risk of rare but serious skin reactions. Acetaminophen is a common active ingredient to treat pain and reduce fever; it is included in many prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products. These skin reactions, known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), can be fatal.
via Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products > Acetaminophen: Drug Safety Communication – Association
Yikes!
Patients Average C+ on Drug Compliance – amednews.com
The two diseases with the highest avoidable noncompliance costs are hypercholesterolemia $44 billion and diabetes $24.6 billion, the study found.
via Patients average only C+ on drug compliance – amednews.com.
Large Study Affirms Safety of Statins
The study included information from 135 randomized trials — 55 with a placebo control and 80 with an active comparator — that included a total of 246,955 participants with or without cardiovascular disease. The study initially included trials of atorvastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, and rosuvastatin (Crestor); trials of pitavastatin (Livalo) were added post hoc because the protocol was already being finalized at the time the drug was approved.
Olmesartan Medoxomil – Watch for These Side Effects
FDA is warning that the blood pressure drug Olmesartan Medoxomil marketed as Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor, Tribenzor, and generics can cause intestinal problems known as sprue-like enteropathy. Symptoms of sprue-like enteropathy include severe, chronic diarrhea with substantial weight loss. FDA has approved changes to the labels of these drugs to include this concern. Sprue-like enteropathy has not been detected with ARB drugs other than olmesartan
Vital Signs: Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers and Other Drugs Among Women — United States, 1999–2010
Between 1999 and 2010, OPR overdose deaths increased more than fivefold among women (a total of 47,935 OPR overdose deaths during that period).
This story was covered by all of the mainstream media outlets. Read the source article from MMWR to grasp the significance of this health issue. Scary stuff.
Risk of DM Among Patients Treated with Statins – BMJ
Conclusions – Compared with pravastatin, treatment with higher potency statins, especially atorvastatin and simvastatin, might be associated with an increased risk of new onset diabetes.
via Risk of incident diabetes among patients treated with statins: population based study | BMJ.
Poor Medication Adherence Rates Prompt Formation of Broad-Based Coalition – AAFP
Six out of 10 patients do not take their medications as prescribed by their physicians, and patients with multiple chronic conditions have the lowest medication adherence rates, according to AAFP Board member Rebecca Jaffe, M.D., M.P.H.
Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League, the oldest consumer organization in the United States, talked about barriers to adherence, saying that “there are many reasons why patients are not adherent.”Some patients may be reluctant to remain adherent because of medication side effects, such as sleeplessness or weight gain. Others may be unconvinced about the need to take medications because they do not have symptoms associated with their chronic illness, Greenberg said.Forgetfulness is another issue for some patients, making it difficult for them to remember to take their medications. Out-of-pocket costs may be a challenge for some patients, as well, creating barriers that discourage patients from filling prescriptions, according to Greenberg.
via Poor Medication Adherence Rates Prompt Formation of Broad-Based Coalition — AAFP News Now — AAFP.
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