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| | From:  Rosiedeli (Original Message) | Sent: 3/9/2006 1:45 PM |
 | | Mar-07-06 | Welcome to the World Health Newsletter:
Taking Tequin
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. manufactures the widely used fluoroquinolone antibiotic gatifloxacin, trade named Tequin. Elderly patients using Tequin were four times as likely to be hospitalized for low levels of blood sugar and 17 times as likely to be hospitalized for very high blood sugar levels. Within 10 days of taking this drug, alterations in blood sugar can induce coma and other serious problems such as death. Physicians are calling for the drug to be withdrawn from the market and see no reason to continue prescribing gatifloxacin. [LOS ANGELES TIMES]
If a loved one has suffered fatal hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia while taking Tequin, please fill out this [FORM] to join a possible class action against this allegedly harmful antibiotic.
Darvon's Damage
Darvon is a top prescription painkiller manufactured by Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals. Also known as propoxyphene, Darvon can be addictive and has been linked to thousands of accidental heart related deaths. "Even when used as directed, propoxyphene is converted into a more potent, toxic agent called norpropoxyphene that can lead to a slowed heartbeat or make the heart stop contracting." [REUTERS]
Studying Celebrex
New research continues to support the notion that there is potential concern with COX-2 inhibitors and cardiovascular events. A recent study found patients being treated with Pfizer's Celebrex had a 2.26 fold increase in myocardial infarction compared to those on a placebo. Experts are calling for regulatory authorities to respond to these findings and re-examine the assessment of the drug. [UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL]
Gender Promises
Acu-Gen Biolab began manufacturing Baby Gender Mentors that claimed to be 99.9% accurate in detecting the gender of the fetus as early as five weeks from conception. Parents were promised a refund if the Baby Gender Mentor test results were incorrect. However, when parents with incorrect test results tried to get a refund, Acu-Gen Biolab refused to provide a refund and allegedly changed the terms of the refund policy. [ABC NEWS]
Children Consuming Calories
Having high calorie beverages available in the home undermines educational efforts to curb children's consumption of sugar sweetened drinks. Soda pop, sports drinks, iced teas, lemonades and punches can contribute to weight gain and have no nutritional value. Teenagers who consume one can of such a sugary drink a day are likely to be 14 lbs heavier than those drinking unsweetened versions. [CONSUMER AFFAIRS]
Benzene Beverages
Benzene is a harmful chemical that has been linked to leukemia and other cancers of the blood. Drinking water has a legal limit for benzene content of one part per billion, but there is no upper limit on the amount of benzene allowed in soft drinks in the United Kingdom. More than 230 soft drinks sold in the UK were tested and found to have up to eight times the level of benzene allowed in drinking water. [DAILY MAIL]
Applying Aluminum
Regular use of antiperspirants may increase women's chances of developing breast cancer. Underarm antiperspirants contain aluminum salts with metal ions that mimic the effect of estrogen which is known to increase the risk of breast cancer. Applying this cosmetic product directly after shaving may also allow for easier absorption. [CBS NEWS]
Omega Mood
High levels of omega-3 fatty acids may boost mood, personality and behavior, and make people more agreeable. On the other hand, low levels of omega-3 have been linked to ADHD, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and people tend to be impulsive and have a negative outlook. [FORBES]
Acupuncture Alleviates
Migraine headaches affect up to 15% of the population, can last up to 72 hours and sufferers experience an average of 13 attacks every year. German researchers found acupuncture may be as good as medication for preventing migraines. More than 47% of those receiving traditional acupuncture went migraine free for a set time compared to 40% of those on drug treatment. [BBC NEWS]
Ongoing Optimism
Recent studies have found an association between positive outlook and lower risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Men aged 64 - 84 who held positive expectations for their future had a 55% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality compared with pessimistic men. Overall, the likelihood of death related to heart complications is inversely associated to heightened dispositional optimism. [MED PAGE TODAY]
Pending Approval
Two thirds of 1,200 FDA approved drugs have yet to start studies regarding whether each drug is working as intended or if it has unwanted side effects. Drug manufactures promise to study the effects of its products, but many are left pending, ongoing, delayed or terminated. The FDA has the authority to withdraw a drug's approval if a study goes unfinished, but has never done so. [NEW YORK TIMES]
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Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. manufactures the widely used fluoroquinolone antibiotic gatifloxacin, trade named Tequin. Elderly patients using Tequin were four times as likely to be hospitalized for low levels of blood sugar and 17 times as likely to be hospitalized for very high blood sugar levels. Within 10 days of taking this drug, alterations in blood sugar can induce coma and other serious problems such as death. Physicians are calling for the drug to be withdrawn from the market and see no reason to continue prescribing gatifloxacin. |
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