Medications

15 August 2011

SUMAVEL DosePro – Patients like needle free injections

Patients like DosePro needle free injections – at least compared to their previous triptan treatment.their phase 4 clinical study, which was an open label study to see if triptan patients were happy with the switch to SUMAVEL DosePro, a needle free injection system for sumatriptan we’ve talked about before. The results say that patients who currently use triptans in the treatment of multiple migraine attacks reported a higher level of satisfaction, confidence and preference for SUMAVEL DosePro.

The results will be published in the September issue of the journal Headache, The Journal of Head and Face Pain.

The leading author of the study was Dr. Roger K. Cady, associate executive chairman of the National Headache Foundation board of directors. Dr. Cady says about DosePro:

"The Phase 4 study results support the use of SUMAVEL DosePro as an important treatment option for migraine patients, such as those with aggressive, rapid-onset attacks. It provides a fast-acting and easy-to-use injectable triptan therapy option for patients to use as part of their migraine toolbox in conjunction with their oral triptan medications so that the right medication can be used for specific attacks."

29 June 2011

Mislabeled medication recall (USA)

James Medications, News 0

The FDA released the following statement this week regarding two types of medicines that may be mislabeled:

Qualitest and FDA is notifying pharmacists and patients of a recall to the retail level of specific lots of Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Tablets and Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets due to possibility that the recalled bottles may contain incorrect tablets, and patients may unintentionally take butalbital and caffeine instead of hydrocodone.

The recall involves the following products:

Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Tablets, USP, 50mg/325mg/40mg, NDC 0603-2544-28 500 count, Lot Numbers C0390909A, C0400909A, C0410909A, C0590909B
Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets, USP 7.5mg / 500mg, NDC 0603-3882-32, 1000 count, Lot Numbers C0390909A, C0400909A, C0410909A, C0590909B

So this is what you need to do if you take either of the following. First, double check your tablets and make sure you have the right ones. Second, if you’ve already taken the wrong medication, report any side effects to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Full information about the recall and reporting can be found at the FDA website here.

8 June 2011

The Dangers of NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) For Heart Attack Victims

James Discoveries & Stats, Medications 1

A new study cautions heart attack victims when it comes to common over the counter medications such as ibuprofen.

It’s not news that taking ibuprofen may increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. This is especially a concern to those who are already at a higher risk. And the more ibuprofen you take, the higher your risk becomes.

A new study on NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) ramps up the discussion for heart attack survivors taking ibuprofen.

The study, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, reviewed the cases of 83,675 adults who had had their first heart attack between 1997 and 2006. 42% had been prescribed a NSAID, such as ibuprofen (23%) and diclofenac (13.4%).

The patients who had been prescribed a NSAID after heart attack had a 45% increased risk of another heart attack or death within a week of treatment. That’s not a prescription right after the heart attack, but anytime after the heart attack. In fact, when the prescription was given within 3 months, the risk rose to 55%. (Note – that’s increased risk compared to the other patients, not increased change of heart attack or death!)

The highest risk came with diclofenac (sold under many brand names including Voltaren, Cataflam, Dicloflex, Voltarol, Defenac). The lowest risk (no noticeable risk) came with naproxen.

More studies need to be done, especially since the outlook is so serious. Meanwhile, patients should be extremely cautious about taking NSAIDs anytime after heart attack. Also, you need to talk to your doctor about the risks if your risk of heart disease is already high.

More on this study: Some Painkillers May Be Risky After Heart Attack
Full Ibuprofen Dosage and Risk information here.

6 June 2011

Is Valproic Acid Helpful for Acute Confusional Migraine?

James Discoveries & Stats, Medications 0

Valproic acid, and the related compound divalproex acid (Depakote) are very common migraine preventatives. But their use as abortives – to kill a specific migraine attack – has never been established.

However, some researches still see possibilities, especially in the emergency room.

One case in Israel concerned an adolescent with Acute Confusional Migraine (ACM). This is a rare migraine manifestation in children, generally those ages 5-16. During an attack, the patient becomes confused, and usually agitated. There may be headache before or after this phase of the attack. The full attack usually lasts from 30 minutes to 24 hours. The suggestion has been made that this is a clear link between migraine and epilepsy.

In this particular case, a 12 year old girl with ACM was given valproic acid intravenously 3 hours and 45 minutes into the attack. Within 30 minutes, the girl had recovered fully, and had no symptoms for at least several months.

Another case study, involving a 10 year old girl, involved valproic acid as a preventative (2007).

Further research certainly needs to be done into the use of valproic acid in the emergency room, and especially its use in ACM patients, since there has been very little research done for the treatment of this rare type of migraine.

For the full case report, read Acute Confusional Migraine in an Adolescent: Response to Intravenous Valproate

19 March 2011

Topamax – Kidney Stones and Birth Defects?

James Medications, News 0

One of today’s preventative drugs for migraine Topamax (topiramate) has come under fire lately as the medical community expresses concern about some of its possible side effects.

Coming first in December, a study out of the University of Texas brought up the issue of kidney stones (nephrolithiasis). Patients on topiramate for two years were tested. 10.7% of them had kidney stones with outward symptoms. However, among patients with no history of kidney stones, the CT scan showed that 20% had kidney stones with no symptoms after two years of taking topiramate!

What does that mean? It means that, if you take Topamax for a couple of years, you have a very good chance of developing kidney stones. (read Nephrolithiasis in topiramate users.)

Then, just this month, the FDA in the United States issued a warning that topiramate could cause development of cleft lip and/or cleft palate in newborns. Taking Topamax could double your risk – still a small risk, but quite a jump. This is particularly a concern in the first trimester, but the dangers thereafter are not well understood. We do know that topiramate passes into breast milk.

Another reason for pregnant women to carefully consider the risks before taking Topamax during pregnancy.

Topamax has helped many migraine patients. There’s a reason why it’s frequently prescribed. But we need to remember that it does have risks. Many patients stop taking it because of side effects (and migraine patients may have more Topamax side effects than everyone else). But the fact of the matter is, some side effects are not known right away. There are other treatments that should be tried first, including both drug and non-drug options.

via Warnings about Topamax (topiramate)