CHMP positive opinion for new indication of miglustat (Zavesca)

Press release from the CHMP about a new indication for Zavesca (miglustat): COMMITTEE FOR MEDICINAL PRODUCTS FOR HUMAN USE POST-AUTHORISATION SUMMARY OF POSITIVE OPINION for ZAVESCA International Nonproprietary Name (INN): miglustat On 18 December 2008  the Committee for Medicinal Products  for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion  to  recommend the variation to the terms  […]

EMEA positive opinion for prasugrel (Efient)

Press release about the positive opinion of the CHMP for the antiplatelet agent Efient (prasugrel): COMMITTEE FOR MEDICINAL PRODUCTS FOR HUMAN USE SUMMARY OF POSITIVE OPINION for EFIENT International Nonproprietary Name (INN): prasugrel On 18 December 2008  the Committee for Medicinal Products  for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending to grant a marketing […]

EMEA press release: CHMP adopted a positive opinion about japanese encephalitis vaccine (Ixiaro)

COMMITTEE FOR MEDICINAL PRODUCTS FOR HUMAN USE SUMMARY OF POSITIVE OPINION for IXIARO Common Name: Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, inactivated, adsorbed 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 IXIARO, containing a target total protein amount of […]

FDA: statins do not increase the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

From FDA’s patient safety news website: Statin Use and the Risk of ALS A recent FDA analysis provides new evidence that using statins does not increase the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease also known “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Cholesterol-lowering statins such as Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) and Zocor (simvastatin) have been shown to […]

FDA video on Ephedrine and Epinephrine: how to prevent mistakes in their administration.

From FDA Patient Safety News: “Drug Name Confusion: Ephedrine and Epinephrine The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) is warning again about the possibility of mix-ups between ephedrine and epinephrine. Not only do the names of these drugs look and sound similar, but since they’re both used as vasopressors and vasoconstrictors, they’re often stored next […]

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 […]

Nitrous oxide: neurological and haematological toxic effects. Update by the MHRA

Nitrous oxide: neurological and haematological toxic effects, especially with prolonged use Keywords: Nitrous oxide, neurological, haematological toxicity “Neurological and haematological toxic effects can occur with prolonged use of nitrous oxide. Neurological effects can occur without preceding overt haematological changes.Assessment of vitamin B12 levels should be considered before nitrous oxide anaesthesia in people with risk factors […]

Theraloc (nimotuzumab) for high grade glioma: the manufacturer withdrawed its marketing application

EMEA press release about the marketing authorization withdrawal for the monoclonal antibody nimotuzumab (Theraloc): Oncoscience AG withdraws its application for Theraloc (nimotuzumab) The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has been formally notified by Oncoscience AG of its decision to withdraw its application for a centralised marketing authorisation for the medicine Theraloc (nimotuzumab), 5 mg/ml concentrate for solution for […]

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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