MEDICATION SAFETY

FDA modifies REMS for 2 platelet-booster drugs

FDA announced changes to Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies for platelet-booster drugs Nplate (romiplostim) and Promacta (eltrombopag). » More

FDA advisory panel recommends stronger warning for drospirenone-containing birth control

An FDA advisory panel has recommended that some oral contraceptives may need stronger warning labels, according to recent reports. » More

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Resource Center: Oral Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation afflicts more than 2.3 million persons in the United States and is expected to increase 2.5-fold by 2050. To find risk stratifying tools and articles on emerging oral anticoagulant therapies, click here.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Medication therapy management and collaborative practice

Successful collaborative relationships with physicians and other healthcare providers greatly enhance patient care. Knowing how to build those relationships is job 1. Earn up to 2 CPE credits. » Click here to login and take the exams.

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Medication Safety and Reliability

FDA warns methylene blue and linezolid may cause serotonin syndrome when co-administered with certain psychiatric medications.
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CLINICAL NEWS

FDA approves update for Tasigna label

FDA has approved a label update for nilotinib (Tasigna, Novartis). » More

Hospital-acquired C. difficile lengthens hospital stay, study shows

Hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile significantly prolongs the duration of a patient’s stay in the hospital by at least 6 days, according to the findings of a study published online December 5, for the Canadian Medical Association Journal. » More

Pre-op aspirin therapy demonstrates decreased post-op complication risk for cardiac surgery patients, study finds

Aspirin taken within 5 days prior to cardiac surgery may significantly decrease the risk of major postoperative complications, according to findings from an observational cohort study published online ahead of print October 12 in the journal Annals of Surgery. » More

Survey

With the recent introduction of rivaroxaban (Xarelto) as the second new branded oral anticoagulant alternative to warfarin (the other being Pradaxa), what do you see as the primary positioning of these products in the management of chronic atrial fibrillation?

a) Should be used as first-line therapy in all patients with this diagnosis
b) Reserved as first-line therapy for only those patients who are unable to take warfarin due to contraindications
c) Reserved for second-line use only in those patients who have failed warfarin due to unmanageable side effects, lack of efficacy, and/or inability to maintain adequate INRs
d) b & c
e) Leave it entirely up to discretion of the clinician based upon individual patient circumstances

Respond here and see what your colleagues think too.

Want to see the results of our last survey regarding specialty pharmacies and their service offerings?
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FDA APPROVALS

FDA approves lower-dose topical oxybutynin gel 3% for overactive bladder

FDA has approved Antares' topical oxybutynin gel 3% product for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency. » More

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