Author Archives: Jennifer Walker-Journey

Drug overdose antidote may become available over the counter

Posted: May 4, 2012 Pharmaceutical

For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it will consider allowing the over-the-counter sale of an overdose antidote as a way of curbing the rising death toll from drug overdoses each year.

Dr. Oz show investigates risks, benefits of new diet drug

Posted: May 4, 2012 Pharmaceutical

An investigational diet drug is getting media attention from celebrity doctor Dr. Oz as the “New Silver Bullet for Weight Loss,” but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve the drug based on health concerns including heart

Woman tells of frightening warning signs of transvaginal mesh failure

Posted: May 3, 2012 Pharmaceutical

The first warning sign that Nonie Wideman had that hinted there was a problem with the surgery she had to repair a pelvic floor disorder was when tiny purple fibers started coming out in her urine. More fibers appeared in her

Study shows Pradaxa puts users at increased risk for heart attacks, bleeds

Posted: May 3, 2012 Pharmaceutical

The new blockbuster blood thinner Pradaxa may present serious risks of heart attacks and spontaneous bleeding events, according to a study published by the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Anti-epileptic drugs can prevent migraines but may be dangerous to fetuses

Posted: May 3, 2012 Pharmaceutical

A daily dose of anti-seizure drugs, including Topamax and Depakote, can help prevent recurrent migraine headaches, according to new preventative guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology.

Drug company enjoys rising profits from controversial blood thinner Pradaxa

Posted: May 3, 2012 Pharmaceutical

Boehringer Ingelheim Chief Executive Andreas Barner says he expects the drug company’s profits to rise by a “high-single-digit percentage” this year and to continue to climb in 2013 thanks to new blockbuster drugs, including the blood thinner Pradaxa. Blockbuster status

Women should consider benefits vs. risks before transvaginal mesh surgery

Posted: May 3, 2012 Pharmaceutical

When considering surgery for pelvic floor repairs including stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, one should take a serious look at the surgical mesh device that will be used, says Dr. Lesley K. Carr, a urologist at Sunnybrook Health

Researchers suggest antibiotic could reduce male fertility

Posted: May 2, 2012 Pharmaceutical

Antibiotics may adversely affect the viability of male sperm not only for the one being treated, but for untreated males in generations that follow, according to a paper published in Nature’s open access journal Scientific Reports.

New J and J chief made critical decisions about recalled hip implant

Posted: May 2, 2012 Pharmaceutical

Johnson & Johnson’s new CEO Alex Gorsky says the company will need to be “bold, disciplined and decisive” about its future moves if it wants to remain competitive in the drug market and redeem itself after a wave of recalls

FDA wants more safety data before it will approve new type 2 diabetes drugs

Posted: May 1, 2012 Pharmaceutical

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. will have to produce more evidence on the safety of two new type 2 diabetes medications, delaying even more what has been a long road to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Takeda is seeking United States