Hospital Medicine

Declaring that the benefits of the original formulation of OxyContin no longer outweigh the risks of misuse and abuse, the FDA announced it would not approve any applications for non-tamper resistant formulations of the drug, a decision that could have far-reaching implications for all makers of opioid medications.

Pharmacist and runner Jay Sochoka, BSPharm, RPh, reflects on his experiences competing in the Boston Marathon and shares his thoughts on the tragedy that occurred at this year's race.

Successful CRPS management should be viewed as a continuum that requires a flexible treatment approach that incorporates pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic components.

Pain is a common side effect of cancer that can be caused by the disease itself, treatment, and other factors. Greater awareness of the causes and types of cancer pain, knowledge of available treatments, and willingness to consult pain specialists are the keys to providing effective cancer pain management.

Pain has been associated with a number of conditions, including addiction, depression, and anxiety. Greater awareness of concurrent comorbid conditions and the options available to treat them produces better outcomes in chronic pain patients.

Over 10 years, lifestyle intervention and metformin were cost-effective or cost saving compared with placebo.

Studies showing improvements in GI symptoms in patients with IBS treated with antibiotics such as rifaximin and neomycin also provide evidence for the role of altered gut flora in this condition.

Approved by the FDA nearly four years ago, Otsuka Group's once-daily Samsca (tolvaptan tablets) is indicated to raise serum sodium levels in nonurgent patients with hyponatremia.

Approved by the FDA in July 2011, AstraZeneca's Brilinta (ticagrelor tablets) is a twice-daily treatment to reduce the rate of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death in adult patients with acute coronary syndrome.

The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) has created several useful resources for patients and physicians for IBS Awareness Month.

Data show that prevalence of concurrent IBS is actually higher in younger patients with OAB.

Promising advances in research hint at the day when truly tailored pain management will be possible, allowing us to move past our current model of treatment.

One orthopedic surgeon estimates University of Louisville sophomore guard Kevin Ware will return to the basketball court after six months of healing and rehabilitation following emergency surgery on the athlete's compound fracture in his right tibia.

Results from a mouse model study suggest that altering host gut microbiota via antibiotic treatment may reduce inflammation and other pathologies caused by H. pylori.

Researchers investigating the development of peptic ulcers in patients with liver cirrhosis reported that H. pylori is not the predominant etiology in this population.

Researchers in Taiwan report that type 2 diabetes is independently associated with increased risk of peptic ulcer bleeding.

Recent studies on the effectiveness of current IBS medications and various non-drug interventions, including hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, suggest that a combined approach may work best for this pathophysiologically complicated condition.

MRI data shows that multiple sclerosis patients with central neuropathic pain often have lesions focused in the center of the mid-thoracic spinal cord.

Electronic data can be used to create "virtual cohorts" to rapidly implement studies of MS disease activity, comorbidities, pharmacogenomics, and presymptomatic disease.

Study results show that IPX066 demonstrated a favorable tolerability profile throughout extended dosing in early Parkinson's disease (PD) and during the long-term management of patients with advanced PD.

Study looks at the association between diuretic treatment, hyponatremia, and osteoporotic fracture risk.

Jeffrey S. Borer, MD, of the Howard Gilman Institute for Heart Valve Disease, discusses the SHIFT study's value for cardiologists over various recent heart failure trials.

Jeffrey S. Borer, MD, of the Howard Gilman Institute for Heart Valve Disease, discusses the factors cardiologists consider in selecting specific beta blockers for heart failure patients.

Data from the PARTNER cohort A trial show transcatheter aortic valve replacement produces similar mortality rates at one year compared with the standard procedure.

Results from the CORONARY trial show no significant difference at one year between patients with CAD who underwent on-pump vs. off-pump CABG.

Results from the ASTRONAUT trial show that adding aliskiren to standard therapy for chronic heart failure does not improve mortality or rehospitalization rates.

Jeffrey S. Borer, MD, of the Howard Gilman Institute for Heart Valve Disease, discusses treating patients with heart failure with beta-blockers and whether there are any patients in this group who are not good candidates for this treatment.

Study results presented at ACC.13 show that patients with unprotected left main coronary artery disease treated with double kissing crush stenting experienced fewer cases of restenosis and other major adverse events compared to patients who received culotte stenting.

Results from the PARTNER II trial show improvements in 30-day mortality and stroke rates in patients with aortic stenosis who are not surgical candidates who were treated using a newer version of the Sapien transcatheter aortic valve replacement system.

Landmark study results presented at ACC.13 reveal patients with vascular disease treated with niacin therapy face increased risk of myopathy and other adverse events.