Health Posted on 06:28 PM, January 17, 2013 Doctors relying on studies published in top journals for guidance on treating women with breast cancer may not be getting the most accurate information, with the side effects of various treatments downplayed, according to a North American study. Investigators want to go overboard to make their studies look positive, said Ian Tannock, senior author of the study that appeared in the Annals of Oncology. In two-thirds of the 164 studies that Tannock and his colleagues scrutinized, that meant not listing serious side effects, whether of chemotherapy, radiation or surgery, in the papers abstract. Such abstracts summarize the findings, and run a few hundred words. Thats important, said Tannock, at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, because doctors have little time to read. Most of us are so damn busy, we only read the abstract and skim the tables and figures, he added. In fact, a fifth of the studies didnt include serious side effects in results tables, and about a third failed to mention them in either the abstract or the discussion section. Most surprising, said Tannock, was that in a third of the studies, if the treatment didnt work as well as … Continue reading →

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) January 18, 2013 The prescription drug resource center DrugRisk.com is alerting women taking the birth control drugs Yaz or Yasmin of a new study added to the site showing blood clot risks may be higher with these contraceptives. Also, those suffering from migraines may have a heightened risk. The goal of DrugRisk is to improve patient safety through education. This includes the latest medication studies, recalls, and litigation news. Although recent studies have linked Yaz to blood clots, this is the first weve seen that specifically addresses women suffering from migraines, explains DrugRisk representative Ryan Mayer. DrugRisk recently added information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, who became the latest group to warn that birth control pills containing drospirenone, like Yaz and Yasmin, may cause higher risks of blood clots.* Frances Health Ministry has also said they will stop reimbursements for the drugs over similar concerns.** Now, a new study from Brigham and Womens Faulkner Hospital in Boston added to the resource center found that, while combined hormone contraceptives like Yaz and Yasmin may raise blood clot risks for all women, the risks are significantly higher for those suffering migraines.*** DrugRisk has learned that thousands … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, DC Bottles of Rugby Natural Iron Supplement could contain a completely different substance and cause serious side effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said this week. The supplement has been recalled by its maker, Advance Pharmaceutical Inc. The recall applies to one lot of supplements: 12G468. Instead of containing ferrous sulfate as described on the label, the bottles could contain meclizine, a drug used to treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. It is commonly used to prevent motion sickness. (See the difference between ferrous sulfate tablets and meclizine tablets.) Taking meclizine may cause serious side effects to those who consume alcohol or other sedatives, those with a pre-existing CNS disorder, those with imprinted kidney or liver function, the elderly, nursing infants of lactating mothers who received the drug and newborns of mothers who received the drug immediately before childbirth, said the recall notice. Advance can be contacted at 631-981-4600, Ext.300, on Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm ET. Originally posted here: Recalled Iron Supplement Could Cause Serious Side Effects … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/drrr5s/incivek) has announced the addition of the "Incivek - Clinical Trials - Efficacy and Side Effects by Reporting Groups - Reference Directory, Comparison Guide, Database & Handbook" report to their offering. Incivek - Clinical Trials - Efficacy and Side Effects by Reporting Groups - Reference Directory, Comparison Guide, Database & Handbook is a comprehensive compilation of all Incivek completed clinical trials by reporting group. The report offers comprehensive data set at the most atomic level of clinical trials & is the basis for FDA approvals & prescription choices. It also includes information and data relating to study details, phase, efficacy and safety comparison, sponsor, investigator, collaborator, and other key parameters. The report is built using data and information sourced from multiple data sources. Scope: - Data on the number of clinical trials conducted in the US - Completed clinical trials data by reporting group, phase, sponsor, number of patients recruited and investigator details - Efficacy and safety comparison by reporting groups Who should buy this type of report? - Pharmaceutical Companies - Hospitals See original here: Research and Markets: Incivek - Clinical Trials - Efficacy and Side Effects by Reporting Groups … Continue reading →