FDA Finds No Evidence Linking Tamiflu to Deaths
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday there was insufficient evidence to tie the flu drug Tamiflu to the deaths of 12 Japanese children or to hallucinations, encephalitis and other symptoms suffered by some Japanese patients.
One day after announcing it would review the deaths, the agency's staff said it wouldn't be necessary to update the drug's labeling to reflect those deaths or possible adverse effects. But the staff is recommending adding information to the label about serious skin reactions to Tamiflu, according to papers prepared for a meeting Friday of the FDA's Pediatric Advisory Committee, the Associated Press reported.
At the meeting itself, the chairman, Dr. Robert Nelson, said, "If we ever have a pandemic of avian flu, which is a debatable point, people want to know that they have a drug that will not cause more (harm) than the flu itself," said.
The advisory committee reviewed Tamiflu as part of a routine safety check of drugs whose original uses had been extended to cover children.
Melissa Truffa, of the FDA's Office of Drug Safety, told the panel earlier Friday that they found no direct link between the use of Tamiflu and the deaths in Japan.
The FDA staff said Tamiflu is used much more often in Japan than in the United States -- 11.6 million prescriptions for children in Japan between 2001 and 2005, compared to about 872,000 during that same period in the United States, AP reported.
There are no reports of deaths in the United States or Europe associated with Tamiflu.
Major Depression Afflicts 8 Percent of U.S. Adults
About eight percent (17 million) of U.S. adults reported suffering at least one bout of major depression during the previous year, according to a report released Friday by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
About two-thirds of the people who reported major depression in the previous year said they'd received treatment, which included taking prescription medications or talking with a doctor or other health professional.
Illicit drug use within the previous month was almost twice as high among adults who reported major depression than among people who did not report major depression, according to the data. The report, based on the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, also showed that 39.7 percent of adults who reported major depression smoked cigarettes in the previous month, compared to 25.9 percent of adults who did not have major depression.
Women were almost twice as likely as men to report major depression (10.3 percent vs. 5.6 percent) and women who did experience major depression were more likely than men with depression to receive treatment (70.1 percent vs. 55.2 percent).
The report said that major depression occurred in about 10 percent of adults ages 18-49 and in about 1.3 percent of adults ages 65 or older.
FDA Issues Caution on Bronchodilators
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday issued a public health advisory about long-lasting bronchodilator medicines called long-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonists (LABAs) and told companies that make the medicines to update existing product labels with new warnings.
The FDA says these medicines -- Serevent Diskus, Advair Diskus and Foradil Aerolizer -- may increase the risk of severe asthmatic episodes and increase the risk of death when the episodes occur. LABAs help relax the muscles around the airways in the lungs. Even though LABAs decrease the frequency of asthma episodes, they may make asthma episodes more severe when they do occur, the FDA said.
The advisory offers the following recommendations for the use of LABAs in asthma patients:
LABAs should not be the first medicine used the treat asthma and should be added to asthma treatment only if other medicines do not control asthma.
Don't stop using your LABA or any other asthma medicines that have been prescribed for you unless you've talked with your healthcare provider about whether or not to continue treatment.
Don't use your LABA to treat wheezing that's getting worse. Call your healthcare professional immediately if your wheezing becomes worse while using a LABA.
LABAs don't relieve sudden wheezing. Always have a short-acting broncodilator medicine with you to treat sudden wheezing.
Web Camera Helps Save Ill Calif. Woman
A diabetic woman in California was saved after her son in the Philippines saw through a Web camera that she was seriously ill.
Karin Jordal, 69, lives in Pinon Hills, Calif. On Thursday, she collapsed in her living room. Her son Tore, who lives in the Philippines, saw through his mother's Web cam that she was lying motionless on the couch, the Associated Press reported.
Tore tried to call emergency authorities in California but wasn't able to get through. He then called his brother Ole, who lives in Bergen, Norway. Ole's wife, Tammy, is originally from Long Island, N.Y. She knew who to call and help arrived at Karin Jordal's home within five to 10 minutes.
The sons watched on the Web camera as ambulance personnel took care of their mother, now recovering at Desert Valley Hospital in California. She had collapsed because of low blood sugar and had been unconscious for about two hours before Tore spotted her on the Web camera.
Tobacco Industry Targeting Hispanics: Critics
The U.S. tobacco industry is boosting efforts to sell cigarettes to Hispanics, who currently smoke less than blacks and whites, say anti-smoking groups.
The critics say that Hispanic youth are especially being targeted by the tobacco companies, which are using sexy print ads that feature young musicians, the Associated Press reported.
State attorneys should investigate R.J. Reynolds Tobacco's new "Kool be true" advertising campaign and other tobacco industry promotional efforts that are covertly aimed at young Hispanics, said The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
The Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group noted a recent eight-page ad that R.J. Reynolds recently placed in Latina magazine, which featured musicians and the line: "It's about pursuing your ambitions and staying connected to your roots."
A spokesman for R.J. Reynolds disputed the criticism, saying the company markets its products only to adults and uses models who are 25 years or older in its ads.
Currently, about 15 percent of Hispanic adults in the United States smoke, compared to 20.9 percent of blacks and 22.2 percent of whites, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Food Fact:
"Bell" epoque.
Here's a trick for bringing out the rich sweetness in bell peppers. Blacken the peppers under the broiler or on the grill. After broiling or grilling, peel off the pepper skins with a paring knife and use the pepper in sandwiches, pasta sauces, or as an accompaniment to chicken or fish. Whether they're red, green or yellow, bell peppers are a good source of vitamin C -- and a great source of fat-free culinary excitement. Sliced fresh peppers add crunch and color to salads.
Fitness Tip of the day:
If the shoe fits...
Choosing the right type of shoe for your activity is only a start to avoid foot pain. A good fit is essential to providing comfort and preventing injury. When buying shoes, look for knowledgeable salespeople and be sure to have your feet measured -- size and width can change over time. For the best fit, try on shoes after you've exercised and your feet are at their largest, and be sure to put on the socks you normally wear.
FAQ of the day:
If I have diabetes, should I avoid sugar?
The Nutrition Guidelines of the American Diabetes Association say that reasonable amounts of sugar are OK for people with diabetes, and are no different than any other type of carbohydrate for regulating blood sugar levels. The rise in blood sugar after eating bread, potatoes or rice is actually very similar to what happens after eating an equal amount of carbohydrate as sugar. The presence of protein, fat and soluble fiber will slow the rise in blood sugar from carbohydrates; that's why a mixed meal, say peanut butter on oat-bran bread, is better for regulating blood sugar than jelly on white bread. Keeping a handle on total calories is even more important.
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