Researchers at the University of Southern Mississippi found Armodafinil (Nuvigil) may bring relief of residual excessive sleepiness to patients with depression and obstructive sleep apnea. The study met only one of the two primary efficacy endpoints compared with placebo, with armodafinil increasing response in the overall clinical condition with regard to sleepiness (69 versus 53 percent). There were, however, "some significant improvements with armodafinil on secondary endpoints viz. scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire improved in both groups, armodafinil was generally well-tolerated.
Study quantifies acne drug's link to IBD.
Roche Holding allegedly pulled its blockbuster drug Accutane [isotretinoin] off the market...amid early signs that the drug may be linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) according to a study released last week. The study quantified those risks, finding that users of the medication have almost twice the odds of developing a serious bowel disorder as nonusers. However, for now, generic versions are still available, but the latest troubles could lead to the withdrawal of the controversial medication considered the treatment of last resort for acne so damaging it can lead to pitting of the face and a lifetime of anguish.
Plavix appears to work about as well in women as it does in men.
According to a report appearing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, unlike aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix) appears to work about as well in women as it does in men. In fact, "clopidogrel reduced cardiovascular events by 7% in women and 16% in men compared with placebo, with only a 'weak' trend for a difference between genders." The researchers found that "major bleeding risk was elevated 43% in women and 22% in men compared with placebo, again without a significant difference.
Study expected to show Niaspan unclogs arteries better than Vytorin.
Merck & Co. may face a third negative study result within two years for its cholesterol pills Vytorin [ezetimibe and simvastatin] and Zetia [ezetimibe], which have lost 14 percent of sales since January and could sink further." Analysts said the latest trial's results are likely to show that Niaspan [niacin] unclogged arteries better than Vytorin.
New anti-inflammatory molecule may be safe.
In its first clinical test, a novel anti-inflammatory molecule targeting asthma and other conditions appears to be safe, even at relatively high doses," according to a UK scientist. In fact, the "safety profile for the compound, dubbed FX125L, 'couldn't be better.'" The investigational mix "is a broad-spectrum chemokine receptor inhibitor, taken orally, that targets a single receptor whose identity is still under wraps; the receptor being only expressed on a subset of leukocytes and only when inflammation is occurring, which should lead to very precise effects. Both in the laboratory and in animal studies, the drug blocked the migration of inflammatory cells."
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