Degarelix (Firmagon) for prostate cancer: now approved by FDA

Related to EMEA’s positive opinion on degarelix (Firmagon) for prostate cancer, FDA issues this press release dated Dec. 29, 2008: FDA Approves Drug for Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the injectable drug degarelix, the first new drug in several years for prostate cancer.  

Temsirolimus (Torisel): kinase inhibitor for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma. Australian Prescriber review

From Australian Prescriber: Temsirolimus Torisel (Wyeth) vials containing 25 mg/mL concentrate Approved indication: advanced renal cell carcinoma Australian Medicines Handbook section 14.2.3 About 30% of patients with renal cell carcinoma have advanced or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Chemotherapy is generally ineffective and nephrectomy is the mainstay of treatment for disease confined to […]

EMEA press release: CHMP positive opinion about degarelix (Firmagon) for prostate cancer

COMMITTEE FOR MEDICINAL PRODUCTS FOR HUMAN USE SUMMARY OF POSITIVE OPINION for FIRMAGON International Nonproprietary Name (INN): degarelix (as acetate) On 18 December 2008 the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending to grant a marketing authorisation for the medicinal product Firmagon, 80 mg and 120 mg, powder and […]

Alpha 1 adrenergic receptors antagonists (blockers): mechanism of action animation

Additional information about alpha 1 blocking drugs.  Source: Bertram G. Katzung, Basic & Clinical Pharmacology (Mc Graw-Hill Medical, 2007) ” Phentolamine, an imidazoline derivative, is a potent competitive antagonist at both alpha 1 and alpha 2 receptors . Phentolamine causes a reduction in peripheral resistance through blockade of alpha 1 receptors and possibly alpha 2 […]

EMEA: Norfloxacin should not be used to treat acute or chronic complicated pyelonephritis

This press release was published on July 2008: EMEA recommends restricted use of oral norfloxacin-containing medicines in urinary infections The European Medicines Agency has recommended restricting the use of oral norfloxacin-containing medicines in urinary infections. The Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has concluded that the marketing authorisations for oral norfloxacin-containing medicines, […]

Drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system: animation showing their mechanism of action

The following is a list of drugs related to the animation: Adrenoceptor-Activating & Other Sympathomimetic Drugs Dobutamine, Ephedrine, Epinephrine, Hydroxyamphetamine, Isoproterenol, Methylphenidate, Naphazoline, Norepinephrine. Adrenoceptor Antagonist Drugs Acebutolol, Atenolol, Betaxolol, Bisoprolol, Carteolol, Carvedilo,l Carvedilol, Esmolol, Labetalol, Metoprolol, Nadolol, Pindolol, Propranolol, Sotalol, Timolol. Cholinoceptor-Activating (Acetylcholine receptor stimulants) Acetylcholine, Bethanechol, Carbachol, Cevimeline, Pilocarpine. Cholinoceptor-Blocking Drugs (Cholinoceptor antagonists) […]

Toviaz (fesoterodine fumarate): new drug to treat overactive bladder

FDA press release about the approval of Toviaz (fesoterodine fumarate): The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug to help patients suffering from overactive bladder (OAB). Toviaz (fesoterodine fumarate) works by relaxing the smooth muscle tissue of the bladder, thus reducing the urinary frequency, urge to urinate, and sudden urinary incontinence (leakage […]

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