Phenytoin side effects: gingival hypertrophy image

The image below has been published in the latest issue of the NEJM. It shows one of the most well known adverse effects of the antiepileptic drug phenytoin, gingival hypertrophy. Source: Image of the week: Gingival Hypertrophy. NEJM.

FDA updated information about a safety review of Ezetimibe/Simvastatin (Vytorin), Ezetimibe (Zetia), and Simvastatin (Zocor)

FDA updated yesterday ( January 8, 2009) information related to their review of the ENHANCE trial: On January 25, 2008, FDA announced that it would be reviewing data from the ENHANCE trial (Effect of Combination Ezetimibe and High-Dose Simvastatin vs. Simvastatin Alone on the Atherosclerotic Process in Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia). (http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/early_comm/ezetimibe_simvastatin.htm). Preliminary results from this […]

Bivalirudin (Angiox) for acute coronary syndromes: SMC review

The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 7th December, 2008 an advice on bivalirudin (Angiox): Bivalirudin  (Angiox)  is accepted  for  restricted use within NHS Scotland  for  the  treatment of adult patients with acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina/non-ST segment elevation myocardial  infarction)  planned  for  urgent  or  early  intervention. It  is  restricted  to  use  in patients  who  would  […]

Infusion kinetics definition

The following pharmacology definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. Infusion Kinetics: Infusion, as a means of drug administration, involves an effectively continuous flow of a drug solution into the blood stream over a relatively long period of time. (Intravascular injections are separate administrations […]

Sertraline (Zoloft and associated names): review by the CHMP

The CHMP has issued a question and answer document dated 18 December 2008, about the review of sertraline (Zoloft and associated names) Questions and answers on the referral for Zoloft – Sertraline Hard capsules and Film coated tablets – 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg Concentrate for oral solution – 20 mg/ml The European […]

Atazanavir (Reyataz) for HIV-1 infection: SMC review

The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 7th December, 2008 an advice on the recently approved protease inhibitor Atazanavir (Reyataz) Atazanavir (Reyataz) is accepted for use within NHS Scotland in antiretroviral treatment naïve HIV-1 infected adults in combination with other antiretroviral medicinal products. The combination of atazanavir and ritonavir was non-inferior to a standard boosted protease inhibitor […]

Elimination rate constant (kel) definition

The following pharmacology definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. kel: The “elimination rate constant” for a drug eliminated according to the laws of first-order reaction kinetics; the slope of the plot of the logarithm of concentration against time, when natural logarithms, i.e. logarithms […]

Ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide (Tritazide and related) indications, contraindications and posology updated in a review by the CHMP

The CHMP has issued a question and answer document dated 18 December 2008, about the review of Titrazide (ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide) and associated names: Questions and answers on the referral for Tritazide tablets containing ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide 2.5/12.5 mg, 5/12.5 mg, 5/25 mg The European Medicines Agency  (EMEA) has completed a review of Tritazide. The […]

Nilotinib (Tasigna) for chonic myeloid leukemia: Health Canada evaluation

Information from Health Canada issued October 14, 2008 about the recently approval of nilotinib (Tasugna) On September 9, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance under the Notice of Compliance with Conditions (NOC/c) Policy to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. for the drug product Tasigna*. The product was authorized under the NOC/c Policy on the […]

Methylnaltrexone (Relistor) for opioid induced constipation: SMC review

The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 8th December, 2008 an advice on the recently approved opioid antagonist methylnaltrexone ADVICE: following a full submissionMethylnaltrexone  (Relistor)  is  accepted  for  restricted  use  within  NHS  Scotland  for treatment  of  opioid-induced  constipation  in  advanced  illness  patients  who  are  receiving palliative care when response to usual laxative therapy has not been […]

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