Propolis side effects and association with renal failure: Health Canada case report

From the Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter: Propolis: suspected association with renal failure Propolis is a natural resinous product collected by bees that is used in the construction of hives.[1] It is available in Canada as a single ingredient or in combination in many natural health products (NHPs). Propolis is used for the relief of various […]

Local anesthetic infusion with postoperative pain pumps and articular chondrolysis

New information from the Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter: Local anesthetic infusion with postoperative pain pumps and articular chondrolysis Postoperative pain pumps are infusion devices designed to continuously deliver controlled amounts of medication.[1,2] They can be used to infuse local anesthetic solutions directly into operative sites, for pain management following surgical procedures. The device consists of […]

Varenicline (Champix) psychiatric adverse effects: recommendations to patients from Health Canada

Health Canada has issued  an information update about varenicline (Champix), giving some recommendations to patients: Information Update 2009-01 January 6, 2009 For immediate release OTTAWA – Health Canada is reminding Canadians who are taking, or considering taking, the smoking-cessation aid Champix of important safety information for this product. Health Canada is also informing Canadians that […]

Bioethics: video interview about clinical trials in India

Medical experiments are being conducted on society’s most vulnerable, says Indian doctor Amar Jesani in Wemos’ internetfilm on clinical drug trials in developing countries. Amar Jesani is a medical doctor from India with expertise in medical ethics and human rights. He is a founder member of the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics (IJME), the Centre […]

Risk of midazolam overdose: NHS alert

This is a rapid response report from the National Patient Safety Agency (A branch of NHS) about the risk of midazolam (Dormicum, Hypnovel, Midacum and Versed) overdose Reducing risk of overdose with midazolam injection in adults Issue Some adult patients are being overdosed with midazolam injection when used for conscious sedation. The presentation of high strength […]

Serotonin syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is a predictable clinical feature that involves excess serotonergic agonism of central nervous system (CNS) receptors and peripheral serotonergic receptors. The following PowerPoint was published on Stanford School of Medicine’s Scalpel: Serotoninn syndrome features Download: Serotonin syndrome PPT file MedExcel posted recently a mnemonic to remember the clinical components of serotonin syndrome Causes HARM: […]

Lithium side effects mnemonic

Lithium: side effects LITH: Leukocytosis Insipidus [diabetes insipidus, tied to polyuria] Tremor/ Teratogenesis Hypothyroidism Thanks to MedExcel

Review of nepafenac (Nevanac) ophtalmic suspension

Review form Health Canada of nepafenac (Nevanac) , a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for the management of pain and inflammation associated with cataract surgery On April 17, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance to Alcon Canada Inc. for the drug product, NevanacTM (nepafenac) Ophthalmic Suspension. NevanacTM contains the medicinal ingredient nepafenac which is […]

Morphine effects mnemonic

Morphine effects mnemonic MORPHINES : Miosis Orthostatic hypotension Respiratory depression Pain supression Histamine release/ Hormonal alterations Increased ICT Nausea Euphoria Sedation Thanks to MedExcel

Equivalence definition in pharmacology: three kinds of equivalence

The following pharmacology definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. Equivalence: In 1969, a federal Task Force on Prescription Drugs recommended that the words “generic equivalents” no longer be used in describing and comparing drug preparations. The Task Force recommended that an appropriate nomenclature […]

Review of retapamulin (Altargo), a new topical antibiotic for skin infections

Information from Health Canada about retapaumulin (Altargo), a pleuromutilin antibiotic for the treatment of impetigo and skin infections. On March 19, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance to GlaxoSmithKline Inc. for the drug product AltargoTM. AltargoTM contains the medicinal ingredient retapamulin which is an antibiotic. AltargoTM is indicated for use in adult and […]

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