Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles

Awareness Campaign Launched As Measles Rises, UK
Measles vaccination rates are still far lower than levels needed to protect the population. This is despite the finding of a new Department of Health survey that over 90 per cent of parents are aware it is the best way to protect their child.

Obama Says Health Reform Must Be Done This Year
The opportunity to enact health care reform legislation could be missed unless Congress passes it this year, President Obama on Thursday said to thousands of supporters in a phone call made from Air Force One, the AP/USA Today reports. In a call to members of his political organization, Organizing for America, Obama said, "If we don"t get it done this year, we"re not going to get it done," adding, "I think the status quo is unacceptable and that we"ve got to get it done this year." Obama also said that any action on overhaul legislation could be delayed unless volunteers pressure lawmakers to support the administration"s goals for health care reform (AP/USA Today, 5/28). Obama said, "Some of you are in states and districts where politicians are resistant to bringing about change, so we need you to get involved" (Zeleny, "The Caucus," New York Times, 5/28). Obama told volunteers that it was time to "remobilize" after their successful campaign to get him elected, adding that "we have gotten a lot of things done during our first four months. But health care, that"s a big push" (AP/USA Today, 5/28).David Plouffe, Obama"s presidential campaign manager and head of Organizing for America, during the call said, "If the country stands with the president and if the country is demanding health care reform, [then] we"ll get it done," adding, "Washington will not have any option but to follow us." He added, "You need to take ownership of this" ("The Caucus," New York Times, 5/28). Organizing for America Campaign
News of the day
Free Cancer Information CDs Now Available
Healthcare professionals can now order a number of Macmillan Cancer Support"s free, high-quality cancer information booklets in CD format.
Sexual Health

FDA Approves Samsca For The Treatment Of Hyponatremia

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved Samsca (tolvaptan), in tablet form, for the treatment of hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is when levels of sodium in the blood are abnormally low - it is associated with dehydration. Norman Stockbridge, M.D., Director, Division of Cardiovascular and Renal Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA, said "With the approval of Samsca, physicians will have an additional tool to treat hyponatremia." Samsca is approved to treat hyponatremia associated with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. When levels of sodium fall in the fluid outside of cells throughout the human body, water enters the cells to balance sodium levels - this makes the cells swell. Many symptoms of hyponatremia are thought to arise from the swelling of the brain cells, the FDA informs. Symptoms include: *Headache *Weakness *Confusion *Decreased consciousness *Nausea Samsca removes extra body water in the urine, thus helping raise sodium levels in the blood. In clinical trials, participants taking Samsca had higher increases in blood sodium levels compared to participants receiving a placebo (dummy drug). The approval of Samsca includes a boxed warning that alerts doctors, pharmacists, other health care professionals, and patients that the medication should be started only in a hospital where blood sodium levels can be monitored carefully. If blood sodium levels rise to quickly there is a risk of osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS). ODS can lead to coma, and even death. It can cause the patient to have problems speaking, swallowing, as well as causing drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, seizures, and problems controlling body movement with muscle weakness in the limbs. Even though there were no cases of ODS detected during the clinical trials of Samsca, ODS is a known risk and it is crucial that doctors be aware of it, and make sure rapid increases in sodium levels do not occur, the FDA said. In addition, the FDA is requiring a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy that requires a patient Medication Guide be given when the drug is dispensed. The Medication Guide will have information about the risks and benefits of the drug. During the clinical trials, the following side-effects were reported by participants: thirst, dry mouth, weakness, constipation, excessive urination, frequent urination, and raised blood sugar levels. Samsca is marketed by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Japan. Written by Christian Nordqvist Copyright: Medical News Today Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009