The FDA has approved the first generic versions of Fosamax (alendronate sodium tablets), used to treat osteoporosis. Osteoporos is a condition that causes thinning and weakening of bones and is often one of the many significant side effects from Hormone Therapy. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA has received approval to manufacture alendronate sodium tablets in three once-daily [...]
Today’s New York Times carried a story written by Reed Abelson entitled “Financial Ties Are Cited as Issue in Spine Study.” The story explained that some of the nation’s most prominent spine surgeons hailed as a medical breakthrough a study of nearly 240 patients with lower back pain. The doctors said that Prodisc, an artificial [...]
Yesterday, the FDA formally informed healthcare professionals and patients of the possibility of severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint, and/or muscle (musculoskeletal) pain in patients taking bisphosphonates. This severe musculoskeletal pain discussed in this alert is in contrast to the acute phase response characterized by fever, chills, bone pain, myalgias, and arthralgias that sometimes accompanies [...]
One of the most common problems brought about by treatment of prostate cancer is erectile dysfunction (ED). The degree of dysfunction varies from complete inability to experience any sort of erection to just a slight softening of the erection. The degree of the dysfunction will ultimately vary among different men. Immediately after surgery almost all [...]
Many of my prior posts about Provenge have discussed the issue of what appeared to be a conflict of interest of some of the members on the FDA advisory committee that reviewed the drug. When the committee voted to recommend that Provenge be approved, among those members who voted against the approval were Drs. Scher [...]