Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pharmacy for December 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
New Guidelines Address Care for Malignant Pleural Effusions
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — New clinical practice guidelines for the management of malignant pleural effusions were published in the January issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
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Second-Line Antidiabetic Meds May Impact Cardiovascular Risk
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For adults with type 2 diabetes initiating second-line antidiabetic medications (ADM), cardiovascular risk is increased with use of sulfonylureas or basal insulin versus newer ADM classes, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
ACOG Updates Guidelines for Gestational HTN, Preeclampsia
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) has updated its guidance on the management of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia as well as chronic hypertension in pregnant women; the two practice bulletins were published in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia
Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy
Effect Sizes Uncertain for Meds Versus Placebo in Knee OA
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with knee osteoarthritis and at least 12 months of follow-up, there is uncertainty around estimates of effect size for the change in pain in association with medications versus placebo, according to a meta-analysis published in the Dec. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Review Highlights Lack of Tx Options for Prurigo Nodularis
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new review, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, provides evidence-based guidance for practitioners treating the dermatologic condition prurigo nodularis and highlights gaps in treatment development and research.
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Low-Priced Generic Drugs Most Likely to Have Shortages
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The lowest-priced generic drugs are more likely to experience shortages, according to a study published in the November issue of Value in Health.
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More Than Two-Thirds of Drug OD Deaths in 2017 Involved Opioids
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — More than two-thirds of drug overdose deaths in 2017 involved an opioid, with increases in overdose deaths from all opioids and synthetic opioids seen from 2016 to 2017, according to research published in the Dec. 21 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Opioid Prescribing Patterns Vary for Pediatric Patients
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in opioid prescribing among pediatric patients, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
ASH Develops Practice Guidelines for Venous Thromboembolism
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has developed new guidelines for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE); the clinical practice guidelines were recently published in Blood Advances.
Prophylaxis for Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized Medical Patients
Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolism
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Treatment of Pediatric Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thromboembolism in the Context of Pregnancy
Optimal Management of Anticoagulation Therapy
Complications, Costs Up With Cardiac Sx in Opioid Use Disorder
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) undergoing cardiac surgery have increased complications and costs, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in JAMA Surgery.
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Updated Guidelines Developed for Diagnosing, Treating Influenza
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Infectious Diseases Society of America has updated their recommendations for the care of patients with suspected or diagnosed influenza; the clinical practice guidelines were published online Dec. 19 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
New AAP Guideline Available for Infantile Hemangioma Treatment
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Academy of Pediatrics has developed its first guideline for the management of infantile hemangiomas (IHs); the clinical practice guideline was published online Dec. 24 in Pediatrics.
FDA Approves Drugs for Treatment of Two Rare Blood Diseases
MONDAY, Dec. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Two drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of rare blood diseases, the agency announced Friday.
More Information – Elzonris
More Information – Ultomiris
Vit C for Pregnant Smokers May Improve Newborn Lung Function
MONDAY, Dec. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For pregnant smokers, vitamin C supplementation may improve newborn lung function, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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Incorrect Prescribing Alerts Common for Psychotropic Meds
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Incorrect prescribing alerts for psychotropic medications may be common, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
FDA: Fluoroquinolones Tied to Heart Vessel Ruptures, Tears
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients taking fluoroquinolones may be at higher risk for ruptures or tears in the aorta, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
FDA: Teething Jewelry Linked to at Least One Infant Death
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Teething jewelry products, such as necklaces, pose significant safety risks and have been tied to at least one baby’s death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
A-Fib Risk Up for Antidepressant Users, but Higher Before Tx
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The risk for atrial fibrillation (AF) is increased among antidepressant users, particularly before treatment initiation, according to a study recently published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Racial Disparities Seen in Use of Oral Anticoagulants for A-Fib
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Black patients with atrial fibrillation are less likely to receive direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared with white patients, even after controlling for clinical and sociodemographic features, according to a study published in the December issue of JAMA Cardiology.
Prevalence of Benzodiazepine Use 12.6 Percent in the United States
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Overall, 12.6 percent of U.S. adults report past-year benzodiazepine use, with misuse accounting for 17.2 percent of overall use, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Psychiatric Services.
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CDC: ~65 Percent of U.S. Women Currently Using Contraceptives
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Almost two-thirds of U.S. women aged 15 to 49 years were currently using contraception in 2015 to 2017, according to a December data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
Affordable Care Act Sign-Ups Higher Than Expected
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Despite numerous difficulties, early figures show that sign-ups for health coverage next year under the Affordable Care Act are higher than expected.
Sorafenib for Desmoid Tumors Ups Progression-Free Survival
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Sorafenib prolongs progression-free survival among patients with desmoid tumors, according to a study published in the Dec. 20 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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ADA 2019 Standards of Care Emphasize Patient-Centered Care
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patient-centered care is emphasized in updated clinical practice recommendations from the American Diabetes Association 2019 Standards of Care, published as a supplement to the January issue of Diabetes Care.
Pembrolizumab Promising for Metastatic Head, Neck SCC
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, pembrolizumab has a favorable safety profile and is associated with prolongation of overall survival, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in The Lancet.
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Hospitalization for Upper GI Bleed Highest With Rivaroxaban
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients initiating oral anticoagulant therapy, the incidence of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal bleeding is highest and lowest with rivaroxaban and apixaban, respectively, according to a study published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Modified-FOLFIRINOX Beneficial in Resected Pancreatic Cancer
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with resected pancreatic cancer, adjuvant therapy with a modified regimen of chemotherapy with fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX), compared with gemcitabine, results in significantly longer survival, according to a study published in the Dec. 20 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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FDA Advisory Panels: Prescribe Naloxone With Opioid Painkillers
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The labels of prescription opioid painkillers should advise doctors to consider simultaneously prescribing the opioid overdose antidote naloxone, two U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panels recommend.
Postmenopausal Vaginal Estrogen Not Tied to Negative Health Outcomes
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For postmenopausal women, vaginal estrogen use is not associated with negative health outcomes, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Menopause.
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Cardiac Malformations Not Up With First-Trimester Ondansetron
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — First-trimester ondansetron use is associated with a small increased risk for oral cleft but no increased risk for congenital malformations or cardiac malformations, according to a study published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Failure of Timely Stop to Certain Prescription Drugs Is Common
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Legacy prescribing of certain drugs, such as antidepressants and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), is common, according to a study published in the November/December issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Opioids Offer Small Improvement in Pain, Physical Function
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Opioid use is associated with small improvements in pain and physical functioning in patients with chronic noncancer pain, according to research published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Chest CT Can ID Respiratory AE Risk in RA Patients on Biologics
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Chest computed tomography (CT) findings may identify risk factors for respiratory adverse events (RAEs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients undergoing long-term biological therapy, according to a study recently published in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
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Routine Supplements to Prevent Chronic Disease Not Advised
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Routine use of vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent chronic disease is not recommended, according to an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics position paper published in the November issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Buprenorphine-Naloxone Cost-Effective for Opioid Use Disorder
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Buprenorphine-naloxone is cost-effective compared with extended-release naltrexone for treating opioid use disorder, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Adherence and Intensity of Lipid-Lowering Tx Influence CV Risk
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adherent patients receiving high-intensity statin and/or ezetimibe therapy have the lowest cardiovascular risk, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in JAMA Network Open.
Barbershop Intervention Leads to Reduced BP in Black Men
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A barbershop-based intervention can lead to significantly reduced blood pressure and sustained improvements over one year in black men, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Circulation.
Solriamfetol Feasible for Sleep Apnea-Related Tiredness
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Solriamfetol therapy, compared with placebo, results in improvements in wakefulness and sleepiness measures in patients with excessive sleepiness due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a study published online Dec. 6 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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Some With Type 2 Diabetes Inappropriately Monitoring Blood Glucose
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes may be self-monitoring blood glucose inappropriately, according to a research letter published online Dec. 10 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Cisplatin Superior to Cetuximab for HPV+ Oropharyngeal Cancer
Homicide, Suicide, and Overdose Leading Causes of Maternal Death 
Model Predicts Poor Outcomes Within 30 Days of a Before Medically Advised Discharge 
Fewer Than Half of Drug Overdose Survivors Go to the Hospital 
2000 to 2023 Saw Rise in Pediatric Exposure to Medications, Supplements 
Holding DMARDs at Time of COVID-19 Vaccine Not Warranted in Those With Inflammatory Arthritis 
1 in 3 With Lupus Take Supplements, Medications With Potential for Interactions 
2013 to 2024 Saw Decrease in Benzodiazepine Prescribing 
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, SGLT-2is Slow Renal Function Decline in T2D With Albuminuria 
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