The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved today the first generic versions of two drugs used for the treatment of hypertension. Losartan potassium tablets and losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets (a combination drug) are the generic equivalents of Cozaar and Hyzaar tablets, respectively. Cozaar and Hyzaar tablets are widely-used antihypertensive drugs. Both generic losartan... »
New OxyContin Formulation Designed to Discourage Abuse of the Drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a new formulation of the controlled-release drug OxyContin that has been designed to help discourage misuse and abuse of the medication. OxyContin is made to slowly release the potent opioid oxycodone to treat patients who require a continuous, around-the-clock opioid analgesic for management of their moderate... »
Asclera Approved by FDA for Varicose Vein Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Asclera (polidocanol) injection for the treatment of small types of abnormally swollen or twisted veins called varicose veins. Although they usually occur in the legs, varicose veins also can form in other parts of the body. Factors such as genetics, age, female gender, pregnancy, obesity, and... »
Kids with Sickle Cell Disease More Likely to Have Physical and Developmental Health Problems
The first national estimate on the health status of children with sickle cell disease revealed that black children with sickle cell disease are more likely to have intellectual disabilities, hearing deficits, and frequent severe headaches or migraines than black children without sickle cell disease. The study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention... »
Herpes Prevalent in 16 Percent of Americans Aged 14-49
About 1 in 6 Americans (16.2 percent) between the ages of 14 and 49 is infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), according to a national health survey released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HSV-2 is a lifelong and incurable infection that can cause recurrent and painful genital sores.... »
Heart Disease Hospitalization Rates in the U.S.
Heart disease hospitalization rates among Americans aged 65 years and older vary substantially depending on where they live, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The “Atlas of Heart Disease Hospitalizations Among Medicare Beneficiaries” shows that the highest hospitalization rates occur among blacks compared to other racial... »