Feb. 20, 2013 Among fibromyalgia patients taking either of two commonly prescribed drugs to reduce pain, 22 percent report substantial improvement while 21 percent had to quit the regimen due to unpleasant side effects, according to a new review in The Cochrane Library. People with fibromyalgia suffer from chronic widespread pain, sleep problems and fatigue. The illness affects more than 5 million Americans, 80 percent of whom are women. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown and currently there is no cure. Using a Quality of Life (QOL) scale for fibromyalgia, the studies reviewed reported QOL ratings lower than 15 on a scale of 0 to 100 even among patients on medications. The two medications often prescribed to treat fibromalgia are duloxetine, known by the brand name Cymbalta or milnacipran, commonly known as Savella. "A frank discussion between the physician and patient about the potential benefits and harms of both drugs should occur," noted the reviewers, led by Winfried Huser, M.D. of Technische Universitt Mnchen. The authors reviewed 10 high-quality studies comprising more than 6,000 adults who received either duloxetine, milnacipran, or a placebo for up to six months. A substantial majority of study participants were middle-aged, white women. "This is … Continue reading →

With generic drug competitors slaying sales of Mercks (MRK) erstwhile blockbuster asthma and allergic rhinitis medicine Singulair, investors are fretting that new diabetes drugs from Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Takeda could threaten the growth outlook of the Mercks bestselling Januvia franchise. In fourth-quarter 2012, Singulair sales in the U.S. declined $932 million, or 97%, resultant from a loss of marketing exclusivity on August 3. Global sales, which fell 30% in FY 2012 to $3.9 billion, will experience a similar decline in coming months, due to patent expiry in major European markets later this month. As Merck looks to reset its revenue base, the Januvia brand remains critical to its financial health. In FY 2012, global sales of the combined diabetes franchise of Januvia/Janumet (which contains the popular type-2 diabetes drug metformin) grew 23% to $5.7 billion, primarily driven by growth in the United States and Japan. Januvia (sitagliptin), approved in October 2006, is the first diabetes drug in a new class called dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. The DPP-4 inhibitors help to control blood sugar levels through multiple pathways. Principally, however, its thought to exert its glycemic control by reversibly blocking the enzyme DPP-4, thereby increasing endogenous incretin levels … Continue reading →

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler believes he has spent millions on drugs over the years. Asked by Australia's "60 Minutes" if the rumors - that he's spent $20 million on drugs -- are true, Steven shared his impression of the more accurate financial figure. PLAY IT NOW: Steven Tyler: Did The Right Person Win American Idol? "No, probably, realistically 5 or 6 [million], easy," he said. "But it doesn't matter. You could also say I've snorted half of Peru. It's what we did." Steven said he and Joe Perry, Aerosmith's guitarist, still live up to their reputation as the "toxic twins." VIEW THE PHOTOS: American Idol Season 10 Promo Shots! "We still are - we still can be toxic," he said. "We fight toxically, we play toxically." In 2011, ahead of his gig as a judge on "American Idol," a sober Steven opened up about how he stayed high, drug free. "If you think going out in front of high-def cameras and millions of people I'm not high on adrenaline, you're crazy," he told People of his "American Idol" natural "high" in 2011. "I'm stoned when that curtain drops -- I just don't snort the curtain dropping. VIEW THE PHOTOS: Keepin It … Continue reading →

Discussing the regrets of past drug use may seem like a good way to convey the dangers of drugs, but the move could backfire, according to a new study. Children of parents who disclose past alcohol, drug or tobacco use are more likely to have more positive views about drugs than peers whose parents don't, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in the journal Human Communication Research. That held even if the parents were describing their regrets about drug use. "This is a really cool article, because it does break down the dialogue" and give parents some ideas for what to say, said Michael Fendrich, a substance abuse epidemiologist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, who was not involved in the study. But the findings are correlational, so the study doesn't show that parental honesty actually leads to drug and alcohol use amongst teens, and tying such communication to addiction or drug and alcohol abuse down the line is even more tenuous, Fendrich said. Finding the right words Talking about drugs with children can be incredibly tricky, Fendrich said. "Kids are pretty savvy, they see the picture of their mom and dad giving the peace sign on the VW … Continue reading →