Author Archives: Jennifer Walker-Journey

Could your antidepressant be doing more harm than good?

Posted: May 11, 2012 Pharmaceutical

Depression is a condition that goes beyond “the blues,” and some statistics show that as many as 10 percent of adults in the United States will experience depressive symptoms at some point in their lives. Symptoms can include sleeping disorders,

Non-surgical procedure an alternative to blood thinners for atrial fibrillation patients

Posted: May 11, 2012 Pharmaceutical

A non-surgical procedure could help prevent strokes in patients with a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation, and eliminate the need for blood thinners. The procedure, identified by scientists from the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in Illinois, involves tying off the

Researchers aim to develop safer artificial hip

Posted: May 10, 2012 Pharmaceutical

For young, active patients in need of hip replacement surgery, the recommended hip implant used to be ones made of all-metal construction. These artificial hips involved a metal ball-and-socket interface – where the artificial head of the femur moves within

Study: Up to one-third of all birth defects caused by prescription drugs

Posted: May 10, 2012 Pharmaceutical

As many as a third of all birth defects are caused by prescription drugs, according to a review published in the journal The Obstetrician & Gynecologist.

Off label use of Depakote unnecessarily exposed users to side effects

Posted: May 10, 2012 Pharmaceutical

Abbott Laboratories will pay $1.5 billion in fees and settlements for marketing its anti-seizure drug Depakote for unapproved uses, a violation that has unnecessarily exposed thousands of people to potentially dangerous side effects, including birth defects.

Aspirin just as effective as warfarin at preventing death

Posted: May 9, 2012 Pharmaceutical

Aspirin is just as effective in preventing death, stroke or brain hemorrhage as the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin) in patients with heart failure, according to a major study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Congress considers accelerated approval process for experimental drugs

Posted: May 9, 2012 Pharmaceutical

Drugs that target serious or life-threatening diseases may get a cheaper and faster ride to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval if a new proposal becomes law this year. The new plan would allow pharmaceutical companies testing experimental drugs to

Diabetics urged to avoid Actos due to cancer risk

Posted: May 9, 2012 Pharmaceutical

People with type 2 diabetes should use the drug Actos (pioglitazone) only if all other options have failed, and people with pre-diabetes should never use it, says Consumer Reports, the well-known consumer watchdog organization.

Generic Testim will carry same black box warning as brand name

Posted: May 9, 2012 Pharmaceutical

Watson Laboratories Inc. has filed an application to market a generic version of Auxilium Pharmaceuticals’ testosterone gel, Testim. Last year, the testosterone-containing treatment generated revenues of $207.9 million for Auxillium.

Abbott to pay $1.5 billion for marketing Depakote for unapproved uses

Posted: May 8, 2012 Pharmaceutical

Abbott Laboratories has admitted to promoting its anti-seizure drug Depakote for uses that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and has agreed to pay $1.5 billion in criminal fines and civil settlement fees. Deputy Attorney General