Pharmacology

4-drug combination regimen effective for TB

Compared to separate drug administration, a 4-drug combination regimen had comparable effectiveness in patients with tuberculosis according to a study in JAMA. Read more at http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/305/14/1415.abstract.

Abbott withdraws Meridia from market

On Oct. 8, Abbott Laboratories voluntarily withdrew its weight loss drug Meridia (sibutramine) from the market in response to a request from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.…

Closing in on the cause of agitation

Leonard McGram, age 89, arrives at the emergency department (ED) with Marissa, his daughter. As you help him out of her car, he looks at her and asks,…

Drugs Today – November 2008

Web Exclusive! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals at www.AmericanNurseToday.com/journal.

Drugs Today – September 2008

Web Exclusive! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals at www.AmericanNurseToday.com/journal.

Evidence-based interventions for dyspnea

Editor’s note: One of a series of articles on managing cancer-related symptoms from the Oncology Nursing Society. Dyspnea is “a subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of…

FDA approves Afrezza

On June 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Afrezza (insulin human) Inhalation Powder, a rapid-acting inhaled insulin to improve glycemic control in adults with diabetes…

FDA approves drug to treat multi-drug resistant TB

On Dec. 31, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sirturo (bedaquiline) as part of combination therapy to treat adults with multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)…

FDA approves first drug for myelofibrosis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Jakafi (ruxolitinb), the first drug approved to treat patients with the bone marrow disease myelofibrosis. Read more.

FDA approves Levaquin for plague

On April 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Levaquin (levofloxacin) to treat patients with plague. The drug was approved under the agency’s Animal Efficacy Rule, which…

FDA approves new COPD treatment

On July 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tudorza Pressair (aclidinium bromide) for the long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary…

FDA approves new diabetes drug

On March 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Invokana (canagliflozin) tablets to treat adults with type 2 diabetes. Invokana has been studied as a stand-alone…

FDA approves new drug for serious skin infections

On June 20, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sivextro (tedizolid phosphate) to treat patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections caused by certain…

FDA approves new weight-loss drug

On July 17, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise for chronic weight…

FDA approves Tanzeum to treat type 2 diabetes

On April 3, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tanzeum (albiglutide) subcutaneous injection to improve glycemic control, along with diet and exercise, in adults with type…

FDA approves Tivicay for HIV infection

On August 12, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tivicay (dolutegravir), a new drug to treat HIV-1 infection. Read more.

FDA approves Xeljanz for rheumatoid arthritis

On Nov. 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xeljanz (tofacitinib) to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate…

FDA approves Zykadia for NSCLC

On April 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zykadia for patients with a certain type of late-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Read more.

FDA warning for terbutaline in preterm labor

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning that terbutaline, indicated for asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, should not be used in pregnant women for prevention or prolonged…

FDA warns against counterfeit Adderall

On May 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers and healthcare professionals about a counterfeit version of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ Adderall 30 milligram tablets that…

FDA warns of counterfeit Avastin

On Feb. 14, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified healthcare professionals and patients about a counterfeit version of Avastin 400 mg/16mL, which may have been purchased and…

Fever-reducing drugs may help spread flu

According to a study in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the widespread use of fever reducing medications may lead to more cases of, and deaths from, influenza.…

Fidaxomicin reduces C. diff recurrence

Compared to vancomycin, patients treated with fidaxomicin for Clostridium difficile infection were significantly less likely to have a recurrence. Read more here.

HAART and its effects on the heart

Many patients with HIV/AIDS are doing well on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Yet HAART can increase cardiovascular risks by reducing high-density lipoprotein levels, raising triglyceride levels, and…

Herbal facts, herbal fallacies

Many people assume herbs can’t cause harm, and neglect to tell healthcare providers they’re using them. This article will boost your herbal awareness and help you eradicate herbal…
Is it Addison’s disease or Cushing syndrome?

Is it Addison’s disease or Cushing syndrome?

Both of these complex endocrine disorders involve the adrenal glands and cause abnormal cortisol levels. Based on physical and laboratory findings, could you determine which one your patient…

Medication adherence report gives U.S. C+

“2013 Medication Adherence in America: A National Report 2013” gives people in the U.S. with chronic medical conditions a C+ grade. The report, from the National Community Pharmacists…
Medication errors Best Practices

Medication errors: Best Practices

A medication error can occur in any healthcare setting-with devastating consequences. The authors describe weaknesses in the key elements of medication use and propose ways to make drug…

MedWatch: Product recalls

Recent product recalls include B. Braun Infusomat Space Infusion System, CareFusion Alaris PC Unit, Model 8015, and Dukal Benzalkonium Chloride Antiseptic Wipes. Read about other recalls http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm.

New guidelines for treatment of malaria

The World Health Organization has released new guidelines for malaria treatment to counter the misuse of anti-malarial drugs. Access the guidelines at http://www.who.int/malaria/en/.

New pain drug developed

Researchers have developed a new opioid drug, UMB 425, which is as strong as morphine, but has reduced tolerance over time and no obvious toxic effects. The drug…

New safety information for Invirase

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that new safety information has been added to the label for the HIV antiviral drug Invirase (saquinavir). The warning describes potentially…
Basics of acid-base balance

Perfecting your acid-base balancing act

When it comes to acids and bases, the difference between life and death is balance. The body’s acid-base balance depends on some delicately balanced chemical reactions. The hydrogen…
Needlesticks

Pharmaceutical waste: What nurses need to know

Too often, pharmaceutical waste – much of it hazardous – shows up in our surface, ground, and drinking water. To solve this problem, the healthcare industry must work…
medication errors

Preventing medication errors by empowering patients

Preventable medication errors cost the U.S. healthcare system more than $21 billion annually, according to the National Priorities Partnership and National Quality Forum. This number has risen significantly…
Preventing polypharmacy in older adults

Preventing polypharmacy in older adults

Polypharmacy refers to the effects of taking multiple medications concurrently to manage coexisting health problems, such as diabetes and hypertension. Too often, polypharmacy becomes problematic, such as when…

Recognizing depression in children

All kids can be moody and unpredictable. But for roughly 5% of children, behavioral changes reflect depression. Learn why depression holds added dangers for children – and how you…

Reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression

For a patient receiving high-dose opioids, frequent monitoring of the sedation level and quick intervention when that level increases stops respiratory depression from claiming another victim.

Single-dose IV Zofran pulled from market

On Dec. 4, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that the 32 mg, single IV dose of the anti-nausea drug Zofran (ondansetron hydrochloride) will no longer be…

Six more hot drugs for today and beyond

These six drug profiles, along with the six in the March issue of American Nurse Today, bring you up to date on significant advances in drug therapy.

Statins lower prostate cancer recurrence

Men with high-risk prostate cancer who take statin drugs while receiving radiation therapy are less likely to have their cancer return than patients who don’t take statins according…

Study fails to support MRV link to CFS

A study published by the Journal of Virology failed to find an association between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and murine leukemia virus-related viruses (MRV), and states, “off-label use…

Study: Decreased sepsis mortality

A study published by Critical Care Medicine reports that in-hospital mortality rates for sepsis decreased from 47% between 1991 and 1995 to 29% between 2006 and 2009, a…
covid-19 virus illustration

Superbugs trump wonder drugs

Our grandparents’ generation first witnessed the wonders of antimicrobial agents. These drugs saved millions of lives and rendered harmless a number of previously untreatable fatal illnesses. But their…
fall falling high risk

Take Note – April 2008

Pam Cipriano to receive ANA’s Distinguished Member Award American Nurse Today Editor-in-Chief Pamela Cipriano, PhD, RN, FAAN, will receive the Distinguished Member Award from the American Nurses Association…
ibuprofen medication meds pills pill

Take Note – December 2006

CDC recommends HIV screening for everyone New recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) call for routine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening for all patients…
cpr family friend note

Take Note – February 2007

Low-carb diets don’t affect cardiac risk Although diets low in carbohydrates and high in fats and proteins have been popular for the last few years, some experts have…
type 2 diabetes

Take Note – July 2007

On-line video-based course on emergency preparedness   The need for better coordination between governmental agencies and hospitals became apparent after 9/11 and again after Hurricane Katrina. To fill this…

Take Note – June 2007

A monthly round up of clinical, practice, and career news, updates, and alerts.
breast feeding breastfeeding baby

Take Note – November 2006

American Diabetes Association releases food guidelines for specific medical categories “When you’re talking about diabetes, there is no ‘one size fits all’ diet,” said Ann Albright, PhD, RD,…

The Avandia saga

Read an interesting editorial about Avandia here. A U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel recommended keeping the drug on the market, but increasing warnings about the drug’s potential…

The growing threat of cephalosporin resistance

Extensive use of third-generation cephalosporins has led to cephalosporin-resistant bacterial strains. Learn how these organisms cause deadly infections and you can help control their spread.

The new health insurance marketplace

Our editor-in-chief discusses the upcoming insurance requirement related to the Affordable Care Act and emphasizes the need for nurses to be knowledgeable about the requirements so they can…

The role of pharmacogenomics in cancer

Oncology nurses have long appreciated that the “one size fits all” strategy—basing chemotherapy dosages on body surface area—for treating cancer does not work because of variations in patients’…

USDA new safety requirements for beta-agonists

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has new safety requirements for long-acting beta-agonists used to treat asthma. Read the requirements at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm200776.htm.,/p>

WHO says antibiotic resistance is global threat

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report on global antibiotic resistance, which according to the accompanying press release, “is happening right now in every region of…

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