Drug | Page 238 of 280 | SpiritIndia.com

Diabetes :: FTC and FDA Act Against Internet Vendors of Fraudulent Diabetes Cures

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), working with government agencies in Mexico and Canada, have launched a drive to stop deceptive Internet advertisements and sales of products misrepresented as cures or treatments for diabetes. The ongoing joint campaign has so far included approximately 180 warning letters and other advisories sent to online outlets in the three countries.

ADHD :: Use of Ritalin in preschoolers with attention deficit disorder

Is it safe to give preschoolers Ritalin, the popular attention deficit disorder drug? The first long-term U.S. government study of that age group warns of side effects with the stimulant drug, which isn’t recommended for children under age six. There were benefits for children who had severe ADHD, but the researchers said preschoolers on Ritalin need close monitoring because they’re more likely than older children to develop side effects.

Alzheimer’s Disease :: Marijuana like compound – WIN may slow Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss

A new U.S. study finds that marijuana may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers from Ohio State University in Columbus found that marijuana may contain compounds that can slow memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Cancer :: Taxotere, docetaxel by Sanofi-Aventis for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Taxotere (docetaxel) Injection Concentrate for use in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil prior to radiotherapy for the treatment of patients with inoperable, locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). This disease represents approximately 3 percent of all new cancer cases in the United States.

Diabetes :: Benefits of Actos – pioglitazone for type 2 diabetes unclear

According to a review of clinical trials, benefits of pioglitazone for type 2 diabetes is unclear. Marketed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly & Co. as Actos, pioglitazone belongs to a class of drugs called thiazolidinediones that work by increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin, to better control patients’ blood sugar. It is used alone or in combination with other drugs if diabetes can’t be controlled by diet and exercise.

Eyes :: Receptor that enables clear corneas is identified

The cornea stays clear by expressing a soluble form of a receptor that traps factors enabling growth of vision-obstructing blood vessels, researchers say. When sflt-1, a free-floating receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor A, is eliminated, vision-obstructing blood vessels start growing, teams of researchers led by the Medical College of Georgia and University of Kentucky report in Nature. The paper was published online Oct. 18 and will be in the Oct. 26 print issue.

Cancer :: Cancer stem cells linked to radiation resistance

Certain types of brain cancer cells, called cancer stem cells, help brain tumors to buffer themselves against radiation treatment by activating a “repair switch” that enables them to continue to grow unchecked, researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found.

Asthma :: New asthma medicine – Xolair – targeting vulnerable inner-city children

UT Southwestern Medical Center is one of a handful of top research institutions evaluating a promising new medication researchers hope can reduce the severity and frequency of asthma attacks in inner-city children, a population known to have a high prevalence of severe asthma.

Multiple Sclerosis :: Oral fingolimod, FTY720 for relapsing MS – multiple sclerosis

Data on fingolimod (FTY720), a new oral immunomodulating drug, reported recently in the New England Journal Medicine shows a relapse rate reduction of more then 50%, compared to placebo, with 77% of people taking Fingolimod remaining relapse-free over the two years of the trial.

Heart Disease :: Ivabradine – treatment for individuals with angina, stable angina

Heart rate reduction is the cornerstone of the treatment of angina. To date, β-blockers have been the best drugs with which to achieve this. Heart rate is set by the pacemaker cells in the sinus node. Specific cardiac ion channels, f-channels, have been identified that control the rate at which these pacemaker cells initiate cardiac contraction. A selective and specific f-channel (f) current inhibitor, ivabradine, has now been developed that reduces heart rate to a degree similar to that achieved with β-blockers, but without their side effects. Ivabradine is now available for clinical use and promises to be a major and exciting treatment for individuals with angina.