http://www.sfda.gov.sa© Saudi Food and Drug Authority. All rights reserved.Drug Sectorsfda@sfda.gov.sasfda@sfda.gov.saSFDA's RSS feeder 1.0.0.0http://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/412-en-17-9.htmWed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{9556ACF4-A281-4038-8316-92185690A824}We conducted a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial to determine whether higher doses of indomethacin would improve the rate of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/413-en-17-9.htmWed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{0FF9C6E0-50A2-4239-A0EA-332B8E9AE353}Recommendations on the frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) vary widely among physicians treating patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Aim of this study was to investigate two testing regimen of SMBG in patients with stable metabolic control...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/411-en-17-9.htmWed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{7FF2B178-11C6-4229-BF00-2FCE2A1B0532}During the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received intensive glucose therapy had a lower risk of microvascular complications than did those receiving conventional dietary therapy. We conducted post-trial monitoring to determine whether this improved glucose control persisted and whether such therapy had a long-term effect on macrovascular outcomes...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/409-en-16-9.htmTue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{2B2AD2AC-34D5-4910-8991-637A8DC75ECC}Interferon beta-1a and glatiramer acetate are commonly prescribed for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), but no published randomised trials have directly compared these two drugs. Our aim in the REGARD (REbif vs Glatiramer Acetate in Relapsing MS Disease) study was to compare interferon beta-1a with glatiramer acetate in patients with RRMS...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/410-en-16-9.htmTue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{75C87BBF-235C-486D-850A-66AD3B5336D7}Three warnings of serious adverse events associated with the use of atypical antipsychotic drugs among elderly patients with dementia were sent to health care professionals in Canada. We assessed the impact of these warnings on prescription rates of antipsychotic drugs in this patient population...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/408-en-16-9.htmTue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{591B3DAB-7975-4442-AAE6-B19C3F362987}Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are known to reduce proteinuria. Their combination might be more effective than either treatment alone, but long-term data for comparative changes in renal function are not available. We investigated the renal effects of ramipril (an ACE inhibitor), telmisartan (an ARB), and their combination in patients aged 55 years or older with established atherosclerotic vascular disease or with diabetes with end-organ damage...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/407-en-10-9.htmWed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{E4067536-523F-473E-9633-161B08BE651C}The American Diabetes Association and Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommend tight glucose control in critically ill patients based largely on 1 trial that shows decreased mortality in a surgical intensive care unit. Because similar studies report conflicting results and tight glucose control can cause dangerous hypoglycemia, the data underlying this recommendation should be critically evaluated...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/406-en-10-9.htmWed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{AD80298E-2056-4290-87DB-21330870B3DD}Objective To investigate whether paracetamol (acetaminophen) plus ibuprofen are superior to either drug alone for increasing time without fever and the relief of fever associated discomfort in febrile children managed at home...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/405-en-10-9.htmWed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{AF5C7A97-BADF-43F2-B7D1-D50826B8E9E9}Objectives To determine the prevalence of Ayurvedic medicines available via the Internet containing detectable lead, mercury, or arsenic and to compare the prevalence of toxic metals in US- vs Indian-manufactured medicines and between rasa shastra and non–rasa shastra medicines...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/402-en-08-9.htmMon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{24ECFC0C-E20B-427F-AA7D-B2AC8AE58979}OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on cognitive function and quality of life in healthy older adults...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/400-en-03-9.htmWed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{37C2D0F8-A617-4928-9299-A80259EE40C9}Hyperuricemia is a predictor for the development of hypertension and is commonly present in new-onset essential hypertension. Experimentally increasing uric acid levels using a uricase inhibitor causes systemic hypertension in animal models...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/397-en-02-9.htmTue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{05B35EF2-AEB7-4AAE-85F4-79BECB58F717}Objective To assess the effect of combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on health related quality of life...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/399-en-02-9.htmTue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{71DA219C-DBBB-47E3-A290-7C06784248CC}Tibolone has estrogenic, progestogenic, and androgenic effects. Although tibolone prevents bone loss, its effects on fractures, breast cancer, and cardiovascular disease are uncertain...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/398-en-02-9.htmTue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT{445BD291-4697-4578-85FE-0B96A264AF79}High chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic in drinking water has been related to diabetes development, but the effect of exposure to low to moderate levels of inorganic arsenic on diabetes risk is unknown. In contrast, arsenobetaine, an organic arsenic compound derived from seafood intake, is considered nontoxic...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/396-en-27-8.htmWed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT{9AC6F9C5-32CA-4069-9AF3-2A4938B55748}Objective: To examine whether use of vitamins B12, B6, and folate was associated with reduced severity of depressive symptoms and 2-year incidence of clinically significant depression. SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/394-en-26-8.htmTue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT{DFB95201-1BD3-4CFB-8F1B-FEF76FBCB5BB}Context Observational studies have reported associations between circulating total homocysteine concentration and risk of cardiovascular disease. Oral administration of folic acid and vitamin B12 can lower plasma total homocysteine levels. SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/391-en-23-8.htmSat, 23 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT{1B6D579A-9467-49CC-B8EB-7773CB4DCDA9}The use of proton pump inhibitors has been associated with an increased risk of hip fracture. We sought to further explore the relation between duration of exposure to proton pump inhibitors and osteoporosis-related fractures. SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/389-en-12-8.htmTue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT{50DE5351-1702-42F1-BB3A-2AB0995A3A17}Objective, To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of concomitant efavirenz- or nevirapine-based combination antiretroviral therapy and rifampicin-based antitubercular therapy...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/388-en-12-8.htmTue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT{FEB877C7-CC9E-4CF0-8AA3-5ED56B9A9EB3} Women with urge urinary incontinence are commonly treated with antimuscarinic medications, but many discontinue therapy...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/385-en-10-8.htmSun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT{092E75B4-A8FB-4244-9B33-4F1123639B40}Most patients with severe hypertension are at high risk for cardiovascular events and require prompt blood pressure (BP)-lowering and combination therapy to achieve BP goals. This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of initial treatment with the combination of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) compared with valsartan monotherapy in patients with severe hypertension...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/384-en-10-8.htmSun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT{63FA2DEE-73F7-402C-B9DF-EF2C66EA715E}Thiazolidinediones (rosiglitazone, pioglitazone) influence insulin sensitivity and are used for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Rosiglitazone achieves sustained improvements in glycaemic control, whilst having pleiotropic effects on cardiovascular risk factors. However, analysis of cardiovascular outcomes has been controversial...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/381-en-07-8.htmThu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT{6A48E0AF-DDF2-4EC0-8B9D-A207B3FB7030}Long-term calcium intake is related to the formation of urinary stones. Structure and composition of kidney and gallstones are similar to dental calculus. Saliva is the source of calcium for supragingival dental calculus formation. The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the possible effects of long-term calcium and vitamin D supplementation with or without alendronate administration on salivary electrolyte concentrations and supragingival calculus formation in osteoporotic women...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/382-en-07-8.htmThu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT{6212D988-EB33-4C6D-B998-657165341E3D}We reviewed the efficacy, characteristics, safety and clinical effectiveness of rosuvastatin...SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/383-en-07-8.htmThu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT{CF0C1528-1F84-4D31-9DB8-5F8A82FF3093}A substantial number of children presenting to the emergency department with an apparent lifethreatening event had a positive toxicology screen result. In particular, a number of children were found to have been given an over-the-counter cold preparation. We would recommend that toxicology screens be included as part of the routine evaluation of children who present with an apparent life-threatening event..SFDA's Drug Sector Authorshttp://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Drug/News/390-en-13-8.htmWed, 13 Aug 2008 08:06:34 GMT{D97BC9AF-EC0A-4AE7-9455-48A584D5CED0}The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American counterpart to the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA),is notifying the public of the risk of a rare condition of muscle injury called rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney failure or death, when simvastatin is used with amiodarone...SFDA's Drug Sector Authors