News for 2009

HIV treatment linked to slight risk of SJS/TEN

intelence bottle lr1 109x150Drug maker Tibotec, which specializes in innovative therapeutic and diagnostic solutions for infectious diseases such as HIV/, is seeking approval from the FDA for its latest HIV treatment, Intelence, based on data from its phase-three studies of the drug when used in combination with other antiretroviral agents, according to a press release from Hays Pharma, a global pharmaceutical and biotech staffing and recruitment business.

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High school wrestler’s fight against SJS heroic

At a mere 139 pounds, Ryan Mead was a far cry from his 167-pound fighting weight. The Marysville-Pilchuck, Washington, high school senior is the captain of his wresting team. The fact that he showed up for the Class 4A District 1 Wresting Tournament in the first place was heroic, according to the Herald Net. Ryan had just recovered from a serious, life-threatening condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or SJS.

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TAMIFLU carries risk of serious adverse reaction

Winter is the prime time for the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. For those who don’t get the vaccine – and for some who do – influenza can occur.

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Ethyol now linked to SJS, TEN

A prescription drug given to counter a side effect of radiation for head and neck cancer now carries a warning about possible serious adverse reactions to the medication known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Ethyol (amifostine) was among 29 drugs listed in a Jan. 30th FDA MedWatch announcement of drug products with safety labeling changes to their boxed warnings, contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse reactions, patient package inserts and medication guides.

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Woman’s sight restored after TEN

Judy Ziegler’s eyes had endured a lot over the years. In 1995, the Myersville, Maryland woman experienced severe scarring in her eyes when she had an adverse reaction to medication resulted in toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

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Beware of side effects from meds this season

If you happen to fall ill during this season from colds and flu, take note of the prescriptions your doctor hands you, especially those for common antibiotics. Two years ago, my doctor prescribed Ketek for a lingering sinus infection that other meds just weren’t knocking out. He warned me to only take it if I really felt I needed it. He said it was a very strong antibiotic.

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Wife files lawsuit against drug maker

Amy Clanton says her husband Ralph would not have taken Phenytoin to control his seizures if he knew the drug could have serious side effects, according to the West Virginia’s The Record. Without forewarning of the potential dangers, Ralph took the prescription medication and a month later noticed odd skin disruptions on his body. As his condition worsened, his eyelid peeled off while Amy applied eye drops to his eyes.

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Caution advised with free antibiotics offer

Supermarket pharmacies throughout Pennsylvania are offering free antibiotics for those with prescriptions in an effort to ease the economic crisis for customers. However, some health care providers fear the free meds may do more harm than good, according to ABC Action News 6 in Philadelphia.

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Teenager shares story of serious reaction to medication

Fifteen-year-old Hannah remembers last March like it was yesterday. She was staying with a friend while her mother was out of town, and she began to come down with what she calls flu-like symptoms. “But I started to get even more sick then I already was,” she said. were forming on her skin and blisters in her mouth. Her friend’s mother was alarmed and took her to the hospital. Hannah was transferred to a room and underwent tests.

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HIV medication carries warning of SJS

The FDA recently approved safety labeling revisions for darunavir tablets, also known as Prezista, to warn of adverse reactions including skin and Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), according to MedScape.

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