FDA Says Proton Pump Inhibitors May Cause C-difficile Diarrhea
Using popular heartburn drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) could put some users at risk of contracting Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD), a potentially serious gastrointestinal infection. In a Drug Safety Communication issued yesterday, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) said it is working with manufacturers to include information about the increased risk of CDAD with use of PPIs in the drug labels.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a bacterium that causes diarrhea that does not improve (CDAD), and more serious intestinal conditions such as pseudomembranous colitis. C. diff infection, which is often spread in hospitals, can pass from person-to-¬person on contaminated equipment and on the hands of doctors, nurses, other healthcare providers and visitors. While antibiotics can be used to treat C. diff, a patient might require surgery to remove the infected part of the intestines in the most severe cases. Continue reading
PoolCorp Hit with Antitrust Lawsuits in Wake of FTC Settlement
PoolCorp, a Louisiana Company said to be the largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies in the world, has been named in at least eight antitrust lawsuits that allege company’s tactics drove up prices, stifled competition and limited consumers’ choices. The lawsuits come on the heels of PoolCorp’s settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over similar allegations.
According to a report in the LA Times, the PoolCorp antitrust lawsuits have been filed in California, Louisiana and Florida, and plaintiffs’ lawyers have petitioned the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) to consolidate complaints before a single judge in Orange County, New Orleans or Miami. The companies that have filed the lawsuits allege they purchased pool products from PoolCorp at artificially inflated prices, and accuse the company of using “unfair methods of competition” and “impeding market entry by potential rivals,” the LA Times said. Continue reading
Merck Takes Down Propecia Site as Lawsuits Mount
Just as it is facing an increasing number of lawsuits over Propecia, its prescription drug to treat male pattern baldness, Merck & Co. recently pulled down its website for the drug. The development is fueling speculation in some quarters that new safety warnings will soon be added to the Propecia label. But so far, Merck hasn’t offered any explanation as to why it pulled www.propecia.com.
As we’ve reported in the past, Propecia (finasteride 1mg) is part of a class of drugs known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, or 5-ARIs. 5-ARIs like Propecia work by preventing the conversion of androgen testosterone to DHT, a hormone critical to male sexual performance. Merck markets another 5-ARI called Proscar (finasteride 5 mg) that is used to treat enlarged prostate. Continue reading
Living Traditions’ Rooster Lamps Recalled For Shock, Fire Hazards
Living Traditions’ Rooster Lamps have been recalled for shock and fire hazards, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.
About 2,00 Living Traditions’ Rooster Lamps, which were manufactured in China and imported by Designs Direct of Covington, Kentucky have been recalled. The defective lamps, which retailed for about $20, were sold exclusively at Fred’s Inc. stores, nationwide, during October and November 2011. Continue reading
Cancer Patients Should be of Death Risk Associated with Nexavar, Sutent and Votrient, New Study Concludes
Three newer chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of cancer may be linked to an increased risk of death.
According to a HealthDay News report on a recently published study from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the newer drugs Nexavar (sorafenib, in generic form), Sutent (sunitinib), and Votrient (pazopanib) pose a slightly increased risk of death based on their performance in clinical trials. These drugs have been analyzed in 10 recent trials including more than 4,700 patients. Continue reading
Stopping Bisphosphonates May Reduce Femur Fracture Risk
Stopping bisphosphonates, a class of osteoporosis drugs that builds bone, could reduce risks for femur fracture by half, according to growing research. The rare, but serious, thigh bone fracture, known as atypical femur fracture, has been linked to oral bisphosphonates like Fosamax, Reclast, Actonel, and Boniva, which are taken by over 5 million people annually.
More and more, research supports a link between atypical fractures of the femur, generally without trauma, and bisphosphonate use, said Medical Xpress. The drugs are prescribed to improve bone density and minimize osteoporosis-related bone fracture. The risk for atypical fractures of the femur—1 in 1,000 after six years of treatment—can be significantly lowered by discontinuing bisphosphonates, according to research just presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), said Medical Xpress. Continue reading
Norovirus Brings Early End to Crown Princess Cruise
Not for the first time, suspected norovirus has caused an outbreak on a cruise ship. This time, the virus is bringing Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess ship home early from a Caribbean cruise.
Norovirus has plagued the Crown Princess for two consecutive cruises. Cruise ships have become somewhat notorious for these outbreaks and, as we’ve long written, norovirus outbreaks occur frequently in closed populations, like those found on these popular vacation destinations. Continue reading
New York’s Indian Point Nuclear Plant Most Dangerous In U.S., Report Says
New York’s Indian Point nuclear plant has been deemed the most dangerous in the United States, potentially putting drinking water supplies at risk.
A disaster at Westchester County’s Indian Point could put drinking water supplies to over 11 million people at risk, according to a report released by the advocacy group, Environment New York, wrote Nyack News and Views. Even a minor problem could leak radioactive contaminants, impacting 11.3 million people, twice as many as any other nuclear facility in the country, said Nyack News and Views. Continue reading
Pfizer Moves to Consolidate Zoloft Birth Defect Lawsuits
A growing number of Zoloft birth defect lawsuits have prompted Pfizer Inc., the maker of the drug, to request that all federal complaints be consolidated in a multidistrict litigation. Last month, the drug maker filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to have Zoloft birth defect lawsuits transferred to the Southern District of New York, where Pfizer is headquartered.
According to Pfizer, there are currently 59 lawsuits involving Zoloft, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, which involve common claims and questions of fact. All of the cases subject to Pfizer’s motion allege that children were born with birth defects due their mothers’ use of Zoloft during pregnancy. Zoloft birth defect lawsuits are currently pending against Pfizer in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio. Continue reading
