Asthma treatment

Contamination spurs recall of inhalation drug A Massachusetts generic drug company said Wednesday that it is recalling millions of vials of an inhalation solution widely used by asthma patients and others with breathing problems. Copley Pharmaceutical Inc. said some of its 20-milliliter Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution was contaminated by microbial organisms. It poses special risks of serious infection to people with compromised immune systems, including those with AIDS, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive lung disease and …..

DRUG-MAKER SETTLEMENT COULD SPELL RELIEF IN STATE A Birmingham lawyer said at least 40 Alabama residents are eligible for payments as part of a proposed $150 million settlement in a class action lawsuit that charged that a drug company sold contaminated medicine. The accord with Copley Pharmaceuticals Inc. over its asthma drug albuterol must still win the final approval of a federal judge in Cheyenne, Wyo. A hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 31 on the matter. Birmingham attorney David Guin thinks the pact, affecting as many as …. Repository, The

Asthma sufferers fret about ban on ‘rescue’ inhalers Asthma sufferers will soon be paying more for increasingly scarce emergency inhalers as part of the price of protecting the environment. By the end of 2008, the government says, the makers of albuterol “rescue” inhalers — used by millions of people to reopen airways during asthma attacks — will have to stop using the ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbon propellants that power the devices. Three decades ago, scientists found that the

CUTTING MEDICINE COSTS For many Americans, the rising cost of prescription drugs can be a bitter pill to swallow. Government figures show that prices for all prescription drugs jumped 5. 8 percent last year — well above the overall inflation rate of 2. 7 percent. But there are some options available to bring down out-of-pocket drug costs. In recent years, hundreds of companies and organizations have started offering discount prescription drug cards. For a fee, enrollees are promised access to …..

Deaths Spur Asthma-Drug Warning Washington – Twenty users of a new drug for chronic asthma have died since it hit the market in April, possibly because they mistakenly tried to use it, rather than a fast-acting inhaler, to relieve an asthma attack. The drug, Serevent, is effective at preventing asthma attacks over a 12-hour period, and it has been proven safe if used properly, experts said. But it doesn’t treat actual asthma attacks, because it takes at least 30 minutes to begin working ….. . Disease Proof – July 4, 2008 Kids: Nebulization Ups Cardiac Injury Risk Jul. 3, 2008 ( Disease Proof delivered by Newstex) Albuterol nebulization often used to treat acute asthma attacks has been shown to increase cardiac risks in children.

http://www.healasthma.com – . ASTHMA INHALERS RISKY FOR UNINFORMED USERS FLA. TEEN’S DEATH FOCUSES ATTENTION ON THE DEVICES Madelyn Thomas was wheezing when she woke up.It wasn’t unusual for Thomas, an asthmatic, to awake short of breath in the middle of the night. As she had done so many times before, she reached for her inhaler to help her catch her breath.This time, the little sprayer almost took her breath away.Using inhalers has become second nature for many of the estimated million Americans who have asthma. But the death in Florida a week ago of Kristen Taylor, , sister of… New asthma drug reportedly offers better relief A new, long-acting asthma drug offer some patients a better and more convenient way of controlling their illness, a study that included San Antonio patients found. The drug, salmeterol xinafoate, has been available by prescription since under the brand name Serevent. It is an inhaled bronchodilator, taken every hours. In the -week study of patients – including from San Antonio – the drug reduced asthma symptoms better than albuterol, a frequently… . DRUG RECALL ALARMS SOME WITH ASTHMA Local allergy doctors say their phones have been busy with confused patients calling for guidance after an asthma drug was recalled earlier this week.”For people with asthma, it’s a major ordeal trying to decide what to take,” said Dr. Barry Asman of Monroeville. “Many simply stopped taking all their medications.”The only drug being recalled is milliliter vials of . percent albuterol sulfate solution for inhalation… . Asthma inhalers undergoing change Old-fashioned asthma inhalers that contain environment-harming chemicals will no longer be sold at year’s end — and the government is urging patients not to wait until the last minute to switch to newer alternatives.Patients use inhalers to dispense airway-relaxing albuterol during asthma attacks.Chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, once were widely used to propel the drug into the lungs. But CFC-containing consumer products are being phased out because CFCs… . Asthma inhalers undergoing change Old-fashioned asthma inhalers that contain environment-harming chemicals will no longer be sold at year’s end — and the government is urging patients not to wait until the last minute to switch to newer alternatives.Patients use inhalers to dispense airway-relaxing albuterol during asthma attacks.Chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, once were widely used to propel the drug into the lungs. But CFC-containing consumer products are being phased out because CFCs… . Chattanooga Times-Free Press Chattanooga Asthma patients to pay more to inhale –Hixson resident Vesta Hudson has used a generic inhaler for years to relieve acute asthma attacks. But come Jan. , a federal mandate will force her and millions of others to switch to an environmentally friendly — and more expensive — inhaler. With no insurance through her employer, Ms. Hudson now pays out-of-pocket for her generic inhaler every four to six weeks. When the last of the generics are pulled from pharmacy shelves, she’ll have scrimp to pay for… . Kevin, M.D Medical Weblog – Xopenex to have a monopoly? Apr. , ( Kevin, M.D Medical Weblog delivered by Newstex) — Only if Sepracor (NASDAQ SEPR) plays its cards right, according to Derek Lowe In CFC inhalers are going away, a topic I’ve covered extensively here and here. That leaves Sepracor in a position to make themselves quite a lot of money if they’re willing to do one thing out of the ordinary price the Xopenex HFA MDI at or below the same price as the other HFA albuterol products. This would set… IVAX Reports First Quarter Results; Revenues up . % to . Million; Net Income . Million; EPS . Earnings Guidance Improved; Earnings Guidance Confirmed IVAX Corporation, Miami David Malina, – - Director/Investor Relations & Corporate Communications IVAX Corporation (AMEX IVX) (LSE IVX.L) (WSE IVX) reported first quarter net revenues of . million and gross profit of . million, . % and . % increases, respectively, over net revenues of . million and gross profit of . million in the first quarter . Net income in the first quarter was . million. Earnings per share were . for the… IVAX to Distribute Letter to Shareholders IVAX Corporation, Miami David Malina, – - IVAX Corporation (AMEX IVX) (LSE IVX.L) will distribute a letter to shareholders, the text of which follows. Dear Shareholder Recently, IVAX announced that we expect to meet or exceed analysts’ consensus earnings expectations of . per share for the fourth quarter and . for the year . IVAX ended a good year with a strong fourth quarter. Revenues for the year were at record levels and net income… Health Notes Study finds new drug better at preventing asthma attacks CHICAGO – A new asthma inhalant drug works better at preventing attacks and lasts longer than a widely used prescription medication, researchers say.The new drug, salmeterol xinafoate, was recently approved for marketing in the United States under the brand name Serevent.Researchers reporting in yesterday’s issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association compared the drug’s effectiveness with… –

http://www.healasthma.com past six monthsthe past twelve months Search Hint: Connecting terms with AND narrows your search to give more precise results …more on search operators – . USA TODAY – Medicare wrestles with drug coverage, payouts Federal regulators called on Congress on Thursday to change the way Medicare pays for drugs, blaming the current system for wasting billions of dollars, even as cancer patients urged members to add to the list of drugs covered. Patients want all medications for cancer covered — both those given intravenously and some newer treatments that can be taken as pills. But Medicare, with few exceptions, covers only those given intravenously. The request comes as Medicare and… . The San Diego Union-Tribune – Nasdaq spot might enhance Valle de Oro stock The stock of Valle de Oro Bank is scheduled to go on Nasdaq Tuesday, and that should enhance the liquidity and visibility of the stock that only does volume of shares a day, says Hans W. Schroeder of Hoefer & Arnett in San Francisco.The bank achieved a third quarter earnings per share of cents, percent above a year ago and beating Schroeder’s forecast by five cents.”The gain was fueled by continued strong loan growth,” the… . SAN DIEGO AND CALIFORNIA Mission West CEO calls it quits J. Gregory Kasun has resigned as president, chief executive officer and director at Mission West Properties. In addition, Harve Filuk, vice president, and Richard Tartre, a director, have also resigned. The company said it has appointed Michael Earley as its new president and CEO, and Mark Foletta as the new vice president. Kasun and Filuk will continue to consult with the company during the transition. Mission West is a San Diego-based real estate developer… . Daily Camera (Boulder, CO) – THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: I AM YEARS OLD, FEET INCHES TALL AND POUNDS. I STARTED MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDING AND PACE WALKING YEARS AGO. I’VE BEEN NOTICING THAT ABOUT MINUTES INTO MY ROUTINE, MY ARMS AND THIGHS START TO ITCH, ESPECIALLY WHEN BIKING ON A ROUGH SURFACE. IT’S UNCOMFORTABLE AND INTERFERES WITH MY EXERCISE AND OUTDOOR ENJOYMENT. WHAT CAUSES THIS AND HOW CAN I OVERCOME IT? Henry N. Claman, M.D.This sounds as if you have developed a mild form of “exercise-induced anaplylaxis.” This is a “physical allergy” in which exercise causes the release of substances such as histamine. These in turn cause itching and often swelling, much like the hives caused by allergies to certain foods or medications.You should be careful to slow your exercise lest the symptoms get worse. Severe cases can result in swelling of the… . Bismarck Tribune, The Asthma sufferers misusing drug, dying WASHINGTON (AP) — Twenty people have died since a drug for chronic asthma hit the market in , many of them apparently because they mistakenly believed the drug would immediately relieve their breathing problems.The drug, Serevent, is very effective at preventing asthma attacks and its effects last longer than other drugs, experts agree. But it doesn’t treat actual asthma attacks — because it takes at least minutes to begin working…. . NEW ASTHMA DRUG BLAMED IN DEATHS EXPERTS SAY SEREVENT IS EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING ASTHMA ATTACKS, NOT TREATING THEM. WASHINGTON Twenty people have died since a drug for chronic asthma hit the market in , many of them apparently because they mistakenly believed the drug would immediately relieve their breathing problems.The drug, Serevent, is very effective at preventing asthma attacks and its effects last longer than other drugs, experts agree. But it doesn’t treat actual asthma attacks because it takes at least minutes to begin working.”"It’s… . THE ORLANDO SENTINEL – MISUSE OF ASTHMA DRUG COULD BE FATAL SEREVENT SHOULDN’T BE USED DURING AN ACTUAL ATTACK FROM ASTHMA. Doctors say asthma sufferers are dying because they improperly use the nation’s newest and longest-acting asthma drug, prompting a pharmaceutical giant to warn doctors and patients.The drug,