A worrying number of American adults are ignoring symptoms consistent with warning or "mini" strokes, according to a new survey conducted by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA). The study found 35 per cent of respondents experienced at least one sign of a transient...

The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug Stivarga (regorafinib) for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver cancer. It is the first FDA-approved treatment for this condition in nearly a decade. Developed by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Stivarga is already...

Everyone over the age of 40 should understand their individual level of heart attack and stroke risk, a medical expert has stated. Marvin Lipman MD, chief medical adviser to Consumer Reports, highlighted the importance of understanding the risk factors involved. He suggested those who find they are...

A new formulation of the opioid oxycodone has been approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), providing doctors with a new option for treating patients in pain. RoxyBond (oxycodone hydrochloride) is the first immediate-release opioid analgesic with labeling for abuse-deterrent...

Many physicians prescribe steroids to treat a sore throat, but the findings of a new study by researchers at the University of Oxford question the effectiveness of corticosteroids such as Maxidex (dexamethasone) in treating a sore throat. The study published in the Journal of the American Medical...

New restrictions on use of certain cough and pain medicine to treat children have been announced by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The government body warned parents and health care professionals that medicines containing codeine and tramadol carry "serious risks" to children under...

Many patients with health insurance are still over-paying for their prescriptions, according to Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).  Priscilla VanderVeer, spokeswoman for the organization, observed many patients still have a "hard time affording their medicines". She...

Patients taking medication for asthma have been reminded to keep up-to-date with vaccinations against pneumococcal disease. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) released the warning following a survey, which revealed many at-risk patients with asthma were unaware of their vaccination...

The difficulties treating and diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been highlighted by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). IBS is believed to affect around 20 percent of the population, although many remain unaware they suffer from the gastrointestinal disorder, attributing it to...

Vaccinating children against the influenza virus could save their lives, according a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Figures from the current flu season show there have been 72 pediatric deaths related to the influenza virus. New influenza vaccines are brought out...

A new antibody test to improve diagnosis of prostate cancer has been launched by pharmaceutical firm Roche. Prostate cancer accounts for 15 percent of cancer cases diagnosed in men. It occurs in the prostate glands of males and symptoms include difficulty urinating and blood in the urine or semen....

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has issued a voluntary Class II recall for three batches of its Ventolin HFA 200D inhalers, totaling over 593,000 units. The recall only affects hospitals, pharmacies, wholesalers and retailers and will not require patients to return their medication. Ventolin inhalers are...

Two medications for treating the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been granted US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use on children. Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and Harvoni (ledipasivir and sofosbuvir) are already prescribed to adults but are the first HCV medications given approval for...

EpiPen prices in the United States have more than doubled over the past 10 years, leaving many patients who need the life-saving devices struggling with the cost. These are the findings of a recent report published by the University of Chicago, following analysis of nationwide data on people with...

Looking for ways to save money on your prescriptions? Opting for generic alternatives to branded drugs is a great way to significantly reduce your prescription bills. Nearly eight of ten prescriptions filled in the United States are for generics, according to figures from the FDA. These drugs are...

The president and chief executive of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has highlighted the importance of discounts on prescriptions. His comments come following the launch of the organization's "Share the Savings" campaign. He suggested patients with access to discounts...

A new drug to treat adult patients suffering from primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) has been approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) was developed by Genentech - a member of the Roche Group - and will be available to patients across the United...

The cold wintery weather can be the cause or trigger for a variety of health issues and problems. Everyday complaints such as the common cold and flu are more frequent, as are hospital acquired infections and viral infections such as norovirus. The cold months of the year also bring a higher risk...

People with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have different brain structures from those without the condition, a recent study suggests. Researchers found certain key areas of the brain were a smaller volume among patients with ADHD than those measured in people without the condition....