Drugs.com Newsletter Vol 76 - December 2010 RSS News Feeds: http://www.drugs.com/rss.html FEATURED NEWS ------------- Drug Abuse Treatment Rates on the Rise: U.S. Report December 2010 - Admissions for alcohol abuse treatment have remained the same in parts of the Midwest and South while dropping elsewhere in the United States, while treatment rates for illegal drugs are increasing across the country, especially for marijuana abuse, according to a new report Read more: http://www.drugs.com/news/abuse-rates-rise-u-s-report-28624.html NEW DRUG APPROVALS ------------------ The following drugs have recently been approved by the FDA. Amturnide (aliskiren, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide) Tablets http://www.drugs.com/amturnide.html Date of Approval: December 21, 2010 Treatment for: Hypertension Amturnide Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/amturnide.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/novartis-gains-fda-approval-amturnide-triple-combination-pill-blood-pressure-patients-uncontrolled-2475.html Safyral (drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol and levomefolate calcium) Tablets http://www.drugs.com/safyral.html Date of Approval: December 16, 2010 Treatment for: Contraception Safyral Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/safyral.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-approves-safyral-oral-contraceptive-also-raises-folate-levels-2467.html New Indications and Dosage Forms -------------------------------- Drugs that have gained FDA approval for the treatment of additional diseases/conditions or new dosage forms/regimens. Prezista (darunavir) Tablets http://www.drugs.com/prezista.html New Dosage Regimen: December 13, 2010 Now Approved: Prezista/ritonavir Once-Daily Dosing Prezista Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/prezista.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-approves-prezista-ritonavir-once-daily-dosing-hiv-1-experienced-adults-no-darunavir-resistance-2466.html Gardasil (human papillomavirus quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) vaccine, recombinant) Injection http://www.drugs.com/gardasil.html New Indication Approved: December 22, 2010 Now Approved for: Prevention of Anal Cancer Gardasil Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/gardasil.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-gardasil-approved-prevent-anal-cancer-2472.html First-Time Generic Approvals ---------------------------- First Time Generics are those drug products that have never been approved before as generic drug products and are new generic products to the marketplace.Gemcitabine Hydrochloride Injection 2 g base/vial Approved: November 15, 2010 - Hospira Inc. Generic for: GemzarZafirlukast Tablets 10 mg and 20 mg Approved: November 18, 2010 - Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd. Generic for: AccolateLevocetirizine Dihydrochloride Tablets 5 mg Approved: November 26, 2010 - Synthon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Generic for: XyzalTopotecan Hydrochloride Injection 4 mg base/vial Approved: November 29, 2010 - APP Pharmaceuticals, LLC; Fresenius Kabi Generic for: Hycamtin Read more: http://www.drugs.com/generic-approvals.html OTHER DRUG NEWS --------------- For Cholesterol Control, Experts Urge More Than Meds http://www.drugs.com/news/cholesterol-control-experts-urge-more-than-meds-28607.html Roundup: 2010 Advances in Heart Disease and Stroke Care http://www.drugs.com/news/roundup-2010-advances-heart-stroke-care-28603.html Type of Formula May Influence Infant Weight Gain http://www.drugs.com/news/type-formula-may-influence-infant-weight-gain-28585.html Lupus Treatment May Soon Take Leap Forward http://www.drugs.com/news/lupus-may-soon-leap-forward-28574.html Placebos Work -- Even if Patients Are in on the Secret http://www.drugs.com/news/placebos-work-even-if-patients-secret-28548.html Does 'Club Drug' Ecstasy Have Therapeutic Value? http://www.drugs.com/news/does-club-ecstasy-have-therapeutic-value-28522.html Echinacea No Cure for the Common Cold, Study Finds http://www.drugs.com/news/echinacea-no-cure-common-cold-study-finds-28490.html Heartburn Drugs May Raise Pneumonia Risk http://www.drugs.com/news/heartburn-may-raise-pneumonia-risk-28481.html Keeping Holiday Drinking in Check May Counter Cancer http://www.drugs.com/news/keeping-holiday-drinking-check-may-counter-cancer-28462.html Hectic Holiday Pace Can Upset Medication Schedule http://www.drugs.com/news/hectic-holiday-pace-can-upset-schedule-28461.html FDA Advises Against Avastin as Treatment for Breast Cancer http://www.drugs.com/news/fda-advises-against-avastin-breast-cancer-28432.html Inhalers Linked to Higher Odds of Diabetes in Asthma, COPD Patients http://www.drugs.com/news/inhalers-linked-higher-odds-diabetes-asthma-copd-patients-28425.html U.S. Spending Millions to See if Herbs Truly Work http://www.drugs.com/news/u-s-spending-millions-see-if-herbs-truly-work-28417.html Certain Drug Combinations May Beat Back Aggressive Breast Cancer http://www.drugs.com/news/certain-combinations-may-beat-back-aggressive-breast-cancer-28318.html Bone Drug Zometa Flops Overall as Breast Cancer Treatment http://www.drugs.com/news/bone-zometa-flops-overall-breast-cancer-28296.html 40 Million in U.S. Driving Drunk or Drugged http://www.drugs.com/news/40-million-u-s-driving-drunk-drugged-28273.html Daily Aspirin Linked to Steep Drop in Cancer Risk http://www.drugs.com/news/daily-aspirin-linked-steep-drop-cancer-risk-28219.html Daily Sunscreen Use Does Protect from Melanoma, Study Finds http://www.drugs.com/news/daily-sunscreen-does-protect-melanoma-study-finds-28216.html More news headlines: http://www.drugs.com/news.html FDA MEDWATCH ALERTS -------------------Recall: Sodium Bicarbonate Injection - Particulates in Some Vials http://www.drugs.com/fda/sodium-bicarbonate-usp-7-5-8-4-50-ml-single-vials-recall-due-particulates-some-vials-12878.html Recall: Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Injection - Particulates in Product http://www.drugs.com/fda/dexamethasone-sodium-phosphate-4-mg-ml-30-ml-multiple-vial-recall-due-particulates-product-12876.html Recall: Lipitor (atorvastatin) 40 mg - Specific Bottles http://www.drugs.com/fda/lipitor-atorvastatin-40-mg-recall-specific-bottles-12873.html Recall: RockHard Weekend, Pandora - Undeclared Drug Ingredient http://www.drugs.com/fda/rockhard-weekend-pandora-recall-undeclared-ingredient-12874.html Public Notification: Fruta Planta - Undeclared Drug Ingredient http://www.drugs.com/fda/fruta-planta-public-notification-undeclared-ingredient-12875.html Recall: Abbott Glucose Test Strips - False Low Blood Glucose Results http://www.drugs.com/fda/abbott-glucose-test-strips-recall-false-low-blood-glucose-results-12870.html Ongoing Safety Review: Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (somatropin) - Possible Increased Risk of Death http://www.drugs.com/fda/recombinant-human-growth-hormone-somatropin-ongoing-safety-review-possible-increased-risk-death-12872.html Anzemet (dolasetron mesylate) - Reports of Abnormal Heart Rhythms http://www.drugs.com/fda/anzemet-dolasetron-mesylate-safety-communication-reports-abnormal-heart-rhythms-12869.html Avastin (bevacizumab): Removal of Breast Cancer Indication http://www.drugs.com/fda/avastin-bevacizumab-process-removal-breast-cancer-indication-begun-12868.html Warning: Tessalon (benzonatate) - Potential for Accidental Ingestion by Children http://www.drugs.com/fda/tessalon-benzonatate-safety-communication-potential-accidental-ingestion-children-12866.html Recall: Rolaids - Foreign Materials in Products http://www.drugs.com/fda/rolaids-extra-softchews-rolaids-extra-plus-gas-softchews-rolaids-multi-symptom-plus-anti-gas-12867.html Consumer Warning: Man Up Now Capsules - Undeclared Drug Ingredient http://www.drugs.com/fda/man-up-now-capsules-consumer-warning-undeclared-ingredient-12864.html Recall: Reese Pharmaceutical Company OTC Products - Mislabeled Guaifenesin Tablets http://www.drugs.com/fda/reese-pharmaceutical-otc-products-recall-mislabeled-guaifenesin-12865.html Recall: Duro Extend Capsules for Men - Undeclared Drug Ingredient http://www.drugs.com/fda/duro-extend-capsules-men-recall-undeclared-ingredient-12862.html More FDA Medwatch Alerts: http://www.drugs.com/fda_alerts.html TOOLS & HELPFUL LINKS --------------------- Community Discussion Forums - We welcome you to share your experiences. http://www.drugs.com/forum/ Medical Encyclopedia - Use this feature to find information on diseases, symptoms, injuries, medical tests and surgical procedures. http://www.drugs.com/enc_index.html Browse by Medical Condition - Use this feature to find drugs or medication related to a condition or therapeutic group. http://www.drugs.com/medical_conditions.html Pill Identifier - The Pill Identifier enables a search for unidentified pills by imprint code or shape/color. http://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html Drug Interactions Checker - 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