two new light-activated drugs

May 2000

There's lots of excitement about two new light-activated drugs. Physicians provide these phototherapies in their office.

Visudyne (verteporfin, CIBA) is for the WET form of macular degeneration. The "wet" form is less common than the "dry" form...but it's more severe.

Wet macular degeneration is caused by an overgrowth of leaky blood vessels to the retina...leading to scarring and vision loss.

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Table of Contents

most drugs remain safe and effective long after their expiration date
Cardiology NSAIDs contribute to congestive heart failure (CHF) in elderly patients
Cardiology changing the generic name "amrinone" to "inamrinone"
Osteoporosis Actonel (risedronate) is now approved for osteoporosis
new dietary recommendations for antioxidants
Neurology & Pain new seizure drug called Zonegran (zonisamide)
Infectious Diseases penicillin TWICE DAILY for Strep throat
Infectious Diseases Zyvox (linezolid), a potent new antibiotic for certain resistant gram-positive infections
Infectious Diseases tricks to minimize the adverse CNS effects that patients get when they start Sustiva (efavirenz)
Gastroenterology alternative to Propulsid for heartburn and other GI disorders
Gastroenterology new drug for severe dry mouth called Evoxac (EE-vo-zak, cevimeline)
Men's Health Uprima (you-PREE-ma), a new prescription alternative to Viagra
two new light-activated drugs
universal Rx benefit card
Supplements vitamin C to help PREVENT the rare nerve disorder that occurs after an injury or fracture