Health Alerts and Updates
Division of DD Med Aide Update
Per National Institute of Mental Health: Science Update, July 24, 2008 -
Health Risks Associated with Certain Antipsychotics Warrant Extra Monitoring. Some atypical antipsychotics may be more likely than others to cause metabolic and cardiovascular side effects, according to recent analyses using data from the NIMH-funded Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE). The two studies were published recently in Schizophrenia Research.Click here for additional information. Complete article
Sentinel Event Alert - Issue 41: Preventing errors relating to commonly used anticoagulants
To read online or download a podcast about this Alert go to: www.jointcommission.org
MedWatch. The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program, serves both healthcare professionals and the medical product-using public. It provides important and timely clinical information about safety issues involving medical products, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, biologics, medical and radiation-emitting devices, and special nutritional products (e.g., medical foods, dietary supplements and infant formulas).
Needy Meds. This web site lists free medication pharmaceutical programs for the uninsured or underinsured.
Marketing of Zelnorm Suspended: Drug Linked to Slight Increase in CV Events
Novartis, in compliance with an FDA request, has suspended marketing and sales of its irritable bowel syndrome/constipation drug Zelnorm, after an analysis of its clinical database pointed to a higher incidence of MI, stroke, and unstable angina among patients taking the drug. Persons taking this medication should contact their prescribing physician for further direction. Medscape.com
