Supplementation with antioxidant vitamins has been proposed to reduce the risk of preeclampsia and perinatal complications, but the effects of this intervention are uncertain.

FDA notified healthcare professionals of reports of death and life-threatening adverse events such as respiratory depression and cardiac arrhythmias in patients receiving methadone. These adverse events are the possible result of unintentional methadone overdoses, drug interactions, and methadone's cardiac toxicities (QT prolongation and Torsades de Pointes).

The reports underscore the importance of knowing methadone's toxicities and unique pharmacologic properties, including dosing and monitoring recommendations.

Topiramate is a novel neuromodulatory agent commonly prescribed for the treatment of seizure disorders and for migraine headache prophylaxis. Calcium phosphate kidney stones have been observed with topiramate treatment, but a comprehensive elucidation of stone-risk profile was not reported previously. This study explores the relationship between topiramate treatment and propensity for kidney stone formation.

Effexor XR (venlafaxine HCl) Extended-Release Capsules
Effexor (venlafaxine HCl) Tablets

Audience: Neuropsychiatric and other healthcare professionals

FDA and Bayer Pharmaceuticals notified healthcare professionals of revisions to the prescribing information for Trasylol. The new labeling has a more focused indication, a new Warning that Trasylol administration increases the risk of renal dysfunction and may increase the need for dialysis in the perioperative period, and stronger warnings about anaphylactic reactions. In addition, due to the higher risk for anaphylactic reactions, re-administration of Trasylol to patients with a known or suspected exposure during the past 12 months is contraindicated.

FDA and Bayer Pharmaceuticals notified healthcare professionals of revisions to the prescribing information for Trasylol. The new labeling has a more focused indication, a new Warning that Trasylol administration increases the risk of renal dysfunction and may increase the need for dialysis in the perioperative period, and stronger warnings about anaphylactic reactions. In addition, due to the higher risk for anaphylactic reactions, re-administration of Trasylol to patients with a known or suspected exposure during the past 12 months is contraindicated.

Some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) painkillers may react with the immune system in a way that reduces the effectiveness of flu shots and other types of vaccines, a University of Rochester study finds.

The researchers said this is an important finding because an estimated 50 percent to 70 percent of Americans use NSAIDs for relief from pain and inflammation.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, Washington,1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington,2 Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, Washington,3 Mucosal and Vaccine Research Center, VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota,4 Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota,5 Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington,6 Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Bra

In an analysis of prescribing data released early online in Cancer , researchers found that women discontinued tamoxifen at a substantially higher rate than those previously documented in clinical trials.

Audience: Oncological healthcare professionals