Monday, June 16, 2008

Cymbalta Approved For Fibromyalgia Treatment

Cymbalta (Duloxetine) has just been approved to treat Fibromyalgia. Until now, there was only one medication, Lyrica (Pregabalin), approved to treat this illness.

In addition to the side effects of Cymbalta, Medpage Today warns:
Duloxetine should not be taken by patients who are using or have recently used a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, patients taking thioridazine (Mellaril) or patients with uncontrolled glaucoma. Severe and sometimes fatal liver problems have been reported among patients taking duloxetine. Duloxetine may increase the risk of hemorrhage among patients taking NSAIDs, aspirin, or other blood thinners.
Cymbalta is also approved for Major Depressive Disorder, the pain caused by Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Migraine and Fibromyalgia are often comorbid. Other illnesses comorbid with Migraine include but are not limited to Thyroid Disease, Temporomandibular Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, Epilepsy, Hypertension, and Stroke.

Friday, June 13, 2008

The Drew Carey Project Releases Another Medical Marijuana Reason.tv Video

Although the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) tells us in Exposing the Myth of Smoked Medical Marijuana that there are no potential benefits of medical marijuana, many states have laws that allow those with specific debilitating medical conditions the right to use it. It is a well documented remedy for many health conditions including Migraine, Glaucoma, Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer, HIV and Aids.


However, federal legislation prohibits the use of Medical Marijuana. Since federal law supersedes state law, the DEA continues to raid and prosecute both users and distributors in the states that allow it's use.

Drew Carey, (yes, that Drew Carey) host of The Drew Carey Project. has released another Reason.tv video on medical marijuana. In this video Carey asks:

Are we really helping minors by keeping them from medical marijuana at all costs? Or are we treating their parents like children?


Do you know what position your presidiential candidates takes on this issue? A press release issued by Reason Foundation points out:
The two major presidential candidates have taken completely opposite positions on medical marijuana and the DEA raids. Last month, Oregon's Willamette Week asked Sen. Barack Obama, "Would you stop the DEA's raids on Oregon medical marijuana growers?" Obama responded, "I would because I think our federal agents have better things to do, like catching criminals and preventing terrorism."

In March, Obama told Oregon's Mail Tribune, "When it comes to medical marijuana, I have more of a practical view than anything else. I mean, my attitude is that if it's an issue of doctors prescribing medical marijuana as a treatment for glaucoma or as a cancer treatment, I think that should be appropriate because there really is no difference between that and a doctor prescribing morphine or anything else."



The Republican National Committee attacked Sen. Obama's response to the Willamette Week's question and Sen. John McCain says he'll continue the Bush administration's aggressive efforts. McCain, who once supported states' rights on the issue, now says, "I don't believe that medical marijuana is necessary for alleving pain, relief of pain. I don't believe it's healthy…I believe it is a national issue and not a statewide issue."

When asked what he'd do to stop federal raids in states where voters have made medical marijuana legal, McCain said, "Nothing."
You can view Drew Carey's other medical marijuana video HERE and additional Drew Carey videos HERE.

The Drug Policy Alliance Network offers lots of additional information including Marijuana: The Facts and Medical Marijuana Fact Sheet.

Migranes And Sleep Disorders Linked In Children

Children with a migraine headache are more likely to have sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and lack of sleep, than children without a migraine, according to a research abstract on the effects of headaches on children's sleep patterns presented on Tuesday at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

More on this research study can be found HERE.

FDA Recall - ETHEX Recalls ADDITIONAL Lots of Extended Release Morphine Sulfate 30mg and 60mg

ETHEX Corporation announced today that it has voluntarily recalled specific additional morphine sulfate 60 mg extended release tablets, and specific lots of morphine sulfate 30 mg extended release tablets, as a precaution, due to the possible presence of oversized tablets. Oversized tablets may contain as much as two times the labeled level of active morphine sulfate. The recalled lots were distributed by ETHEX Corporation under an "ETHEX" label between June 2006 and May 2008.


The 30 mg extended release tablets are pink oval tablets with "30" on one side, and "E" on reverse the 60 mg extended release tablets are white oval tablets with "60" on one side, and "E" on the reverse.

This FDA expanded recall can be found HERE.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

FDA Recall - Morphine Sulfate 60 mg Extended Release Tablets

ETHEX Corporation announced today that it has voluntarily recalled a single lot of morphine sulfate 60 mg extended release tablets (Lot No. 91762) due to a report of a tablet with twice the appropriate thickness. Oversized tablets may contain as much as two times the labeled level of active morphine sulfate. The lot was distributed by ETHEX Corporation under an "ETHEX" label between April 16th and April 27th of 2008. No other dosage strength, nor any other lot of the 60 mg strength is affected by this recall.


The entire FDA recall can be found HERE.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Get a Head S.T.A.R.T on Your Headaches - National Headache Awareness Week

This week, June 1-7, 2008, The National Headache Foundation (NHF) is sponsoring National Headache Awareness Week. The NHF wants you to get a head S.T.A.R.T. on your Headaches by remembering these 5 strategies:
Seek diagnosis - Obtaining the correct diagnosis for your headache is the first step toward effective treatment.

Triggers - Identify and track your triggers (e.g. foods, stress, hormonal or weather changes) by keeping a headache diary and share this information with your healthcare provider.

Advocate - Be an advocate. Be informed. Be a participant in your headache care.

Resources - Use the National Headache Foundation as a resource. For the latest information about headache causes and treatments visit www.headaches.org

Treatment - Successful treatment may include medications and lifestyle changes. Work with your healthcare provider to find the right plan for you.
Events taking place country-wide can be found HERE. The NHF is also hosting a 5-part podcast aimed at women.
6/2 - Dr. Susan Hutchinson - Hormones & Headache
6/3 - Dr. Susan Broner - Contraception & Migraine
6/4 - Dr. Lisa Mannix - Menstrual Migraine
6/5 - Dr. Grace Forde - Pregnancy & Migraine
6/6 - Dr. Merle Diamond - Menopause & Headache
These podcasts are available for download on the NHF site.

More information on National Headache Awareness Week can be found in this press release.

 
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