Login
Subscribe
In this issue of Worst Pills, Best Pills News, we include a few of the most important recent updates to drugs listed on the WorstPills.org website concerning drugs in the latest edition of the book “Worst Pills, Best Pills.”
|
Pain Drug name: acetaminophen and codeine (TYLENOL WITH CODEINE); codeine About these drugs: Codeine is a narcotic basically derived from morphine. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to relieve pain but is... |
In this issue of Worst Pills, Best Pills News, we include a few of the most important recent updates to drugs listed on the WorstPills.org website concerning drugs in the latest edition of the book “Worst Pills, Best Pills.”
|
Pain Drug name: acetaminophen and codeine (TYLENOL WITH CODEINE); codeine About these drugs: Codeine is a narcotic basically derived from morphine. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to relieve pain but is sometimes also used to treat cough and diarrhea not caused by poison. Latest action: In February 2013, the FDA announced that a new boxed warning (the agency’s strongest warning) will be added to the drug label of codeine-containing products to address the use of codeine for pain management in postoperative pain for children after tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. A contraindication will be added to restrict codeine from being used in children who have undergone tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. |
|
High cholesterol Drug names: atorvastatin (LIPITOR); lovastatin (ALTOPREV, MEVACOR); lovastatin extended release (ALTOCOR); pravastatin (PRAVACHOL); simvastatin (ZOCOR) About these drugs: Atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin are members of the statin family of drugs and are used to lower cholesterol. Latest actions: In February 2012, the FDA issued information concerning safety changes for statins. These changes include removing routine monitoring of liver enzymes from the drug product information but adding information about potential, generally nonserious and reversible cognitive side effects, as well as reports of increased blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Safety changes also were added for lovastatin concerning contraindications and dose limitations when lovastatin is taken with certain medicines that can increase the risk for muscle injury. |
|
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder Drug name: atomoxetine (STRATTERA) About this drug: Atomoxetine is approved by the FDA to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents and adults. Atomoxetine increases function of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The drug is intended to be part of a therapy that includes educational, psychological and social measures. It may control, but does not cure, ADHD. Latest actions: In June 2012, the FDA updated the information on the drug product label of atomoxetine, indicating that it should not be used in patients with severe cardiovascular disorders. This includes patients whose condition would likely deteriorate with increases in blood pressure or heart rate. In August 2012, the FDA updated the information on the drug label of atomoxetine, noting post-marketing reports of severe liver injury associated with atomoxetine use. |
