Botox does more than Beauty – MS patients find relief from tremors
July 18, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Botox does more than Beauty – MS patients find relief from tremors
Injections of Botox may provide some arm tremor relief caused by multiple sclerosis, according to a small Australian study, published in the journal Neurology.
Botulinum toxin type A, best known by its brand-name Botox, is commonly used to smooth aging skin, but is also approved for other uses, including chronic migraines, overactive bladder conditions, and excessive sweating. Now, it seems it has shown to be effective in treating MS-related arm tremors.
Melbourne researchers discovered that when Botox injections were given to 23 patients, the injections not only reduced their tremors, but improved their ability to write. Arm tremors affect an estimated two-thirds of people inflicted with multiple sclerosis.
The study involved 23 patients with MS who also had mild to moderate arm tremors. All patients received a round of saline (placebo) injections and a round of Botox injections — three months apart. Fifty percent of the patients received the Botox injections first, while the other half first received the placebo injection.
On average, the patients who received the Botox treatment, showed improvement in their tremors form moderate to mild — or from a 5 to a 3 on the tremor score. On the other hand, no improvement was seen in the patients after the injections of placebo.
According to Nicholas LaRocca, vice president of health care delivery and policy research at the National MS Society, there is currently no particularly good method to treat MS-related arm tremors, which includes exercise and physical therapy. “Exploring new treatments is important, and it’s heartening to see there’s some promise here,” LaRocca said of the study findings. But he cautioned there is still much to be learned about the findings. “This study is fairly preliminary, and it had a small number of patients,” LaRocca said.
Dr. Anneke van der Walt, a neurologist at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia agrees stating that “There are several questions that need to be answered by doing larger and longer-term studies.”
Pharmacy Headquarters Blog (PharmacyHeadquarters.com) Editorial Staff Copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
Healing Skin Cancer? FDA approves a new drug to help!
July 11, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Erivedge: New FDA Approved Drug for Skin Cancer Shows Promise
At the height of the summer season comes the news of two studies that show promise against treating two types of skin cancers through the use of a newly US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug. Manufactured by Genentech, Vismodegib — which is marketed under the brand name Erivedge– has been shown as effective in helping two types of advanced basal cell carcinoma skin cancers: metastatic basic cell carcinoma and Gorlin syndrome.
Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, patients with Gorlin syndrome, also known as Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome, who took Vismodegib, saw an annual average of two new tumors versus 29 new tumors a year in patients taking a placebo. The study also revealed that 30 percent of the metastatic basal cell carcinoma in the study responded positively to the treatment with tumor shrinkage.
“It is a landmark day for patients with basal cell carcinoma and all those involved in their care — the greatest advance in therapy yet seen for this disease,” said John Lear, consultant dermatologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary in Britain.
The effectiveness of Vismodegib isn’t without its adverse side effects however. A high study patient early drop out rate was seen due to hair loss, loss of taste, and muscle cramps. “Side effects are considerable and frequent, resulting in high rates of drug discontinuation, and these rates will probably be even higher in clinical practice,” Lear said.
The once-per-day pill was approved by the FDA in January of this year.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for 80 percent of nonmelanoma forms of skin cancer. Although rarely life threatening, a small percentage of patients will develop basal cell carcinoma that is inoperable and potentially life-threatening.
Lear added that more research is needed to determine who the drug will best serve, how long Vismodegib will work to guard against skin cancer, and when it should be given.
Additional information can be found in the press release.
Pharmacy Headquarters Blog (PharmacyHeadquarters.com) Editorial Staff Copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
Fabior Foam: FDA Approval for Acne Treatment
May 30, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Fabior Foam: FDA Approval for Acne Treatment
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has received a FDA nod to market Fabior (tazarotene) in the United States to tackle blackheads and pimples in acne sufferers.
The new treatment will be in the form of a topical foam to treat acne, known in medical circles as acne vulgaris. Fabior Foam is indicated to treat acne patients 12 years and older who have moderate-to-severe acne. Prescribed in the 0.1 percent strength, Fabior Foam is touted as the only topical foam with FDA approval for treating acne in patients 12 years and older.
“Stiefel is dedicated to meeting the needs of patients and dermatologists, and we believe Fabior foam will be an important treatment option for people with moderate-to-severe acne,” Stiefel VP North America dermatology Jean-Christophe May said.
FDA approval of Fabior was based upon data from from two studies (phase III). Double-blind and randomized trials were conducted for 3 months (12 weeks) involving 1,485 patients who had moderate-to-severe acne. Among the participants, patients who received and applied Fabior Foam showed a significant reduction in their lesion numbers. Reactions to the foam were reported at the site where applied, which included redness, irritation, exfoliation, and dryness.
In the United States, while anyone can develop acne, it is seen primarily in young adults and adolescents, where hormonal changes are prevalent. However, certain cosmetics, some medications, and heredity/genetics can also play a role in developing acne. It’s estimated that up to 50 million people in the United States battle acne, reports the American Academy of Dermatology.
Stiefel Laboratoris, a subsidiary of GSK developed Fabior Foam.
Pharmacy Headquarters Blog (PharmacyHeadquarters.com) Editorial Staff Copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
