CLINICAL NEWS

New guidelines recommend blood-glucose testing for all hospitalized patients

The Endocrine Society recently released new clinical practice guidelines recommending that all patients have their blood-glucose levels tested upon admission to the hospital, even if they haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes. » More

Study offers benchmark for VTE risk after joint replacement; follow-up needed

Approximately 1 in 100 patients undergoing total or partial knee replacement surgery and 1 in 200 patients undergoing total or partial hip replacement surgery will experience a venous thromboembolism event, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, before being discharged from the hospital, according to a new study. » More

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Cardiometabolic disease: The pharmacist’s tools for managing dyslipidemia and hypertension

Also known as syndrome X or metabolic syndrome, this condition can lead to diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. For patients, pharmacists are an ideal source of information and support. Earn up to 2 CPE credits. » Click here to login and take the exams.

MEDICATION SAFETY

Statin use among older women may increase DM risk

Older women who use statins may be at an increased risk for diabetes mellitus, according to the results of a study published online January 9 in the Archives of Internal Medicine. » More

Study raises questions about aspirin as primary prevention for CVD

Aspirin prophylaxis in people without prior cardiovascular disease does not appear to reduce cardiovascular death or cancer mortality, according to the results of a meta-analysis published online January 9 in the Archives of Internal Medicine. » More

Editor's Pick

Linaclotide: A guanylate cyclase type-C agonist for the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation

Constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and chronic constipation affect millions of Americans. A new drug application for linaclotide, an orally administered guanylate cyclase type-C receptor agonist for treatment of IBS-C and chronic constipation, was submitted to FDA with a target action date of June 2012. » Click here.

FDA ACTIONS

FDA gives cancer drug Adcetris a stronger warning label

FDA and Seattle Genetics, which makes brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris), have updated the warning label on the company’s cancer drug after a second patient developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. » More

FDA: Doribax trial halted for increase in death rate, poor clinical cure rate

FDA recently announced that a clinical trial evaluating the effects of doripenem (Doribax, Janssen) on the treatment of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia was halted because of an increase in death rate and a poor clinical cure rate. » More

FDA approves first gel for short-term topical AK therapy

FDA approved ingenol mebutate (Picato, LEO Pharma) gel (0.015%, 0.05%) for the topical treatment of actinic keratosis (AK). It is the first topical AK therapy that can be used for as few as 2 or 3 consecutive days. » More

Survey

With the recent termination of the ALTITUDE trial due to increased risk of serious adverse events (non-fatal stroke, renal complications, hyperkalemia, and hypotension) in high-risk patients receiving aliskiren in combination with an ACE inhibitor or ARB medication, which of the following best describes the actions you deem most appropriate for managing use of aliskiren-containing medications?

1)  Immediately remove all aliskiren-based products from formulary and recommend switching patients to alternative anti-hypertensive medications

2)  Maintain formulary status of aliskiren-based products, but perform RetroDUR to identify and communicate to providers of ALL patients on an aliskiren product

3)  Maintain formulary status of aliskiren-based products, but perform RetroDUR to identify and communicate to providers of only ‘high-risk’ patients on such an aliskiren combo

4)  Implement new prior authorization and/or new contingent therapy edits on aliskiren products to minimize new patient starts on such combinations

5)  Do nothing for the time-being until more definitive direction is provided from FDA

Respond here and see what your colleagues think too.

Want to see the results of our last survey regarding chronic atrial fibrillation management?
Click here.

Resources

Digital Edition