Pharmacology News

The FDA has approved Gilead Science’s antiviral IV drug remdesivir — also known as Veklury — for adults and children aged older than 12 years when treatment of COVID-19 requires hospitalization.

Use of the antiepileptic valproate during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring during early childhood, according to research published in Scientific Reports.

Purdue Pharma and the United States Department of Justice announced that they have reached a deal that resolves multiyear civil and criminal investigations into the pharmaceutical company’s marketing practices related to its opioid medications.

The FDA has asked five drug manufacturers to voluntarily recall several lots of extended-release metformin after agency lab testing revealed unacceptable levels of the nitrosamine impurity N-Nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA.

Cannabis use significantly increased the odds for nonmedical opioid use among adults with a history of substance abuse, according to research published in Addiction.

Among older adults taking at least two prescription medications, just one in four had a comprehensive mediation review with their pharmacist, according to findings from the National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted by the University of Michigan.

In new Rapid Living Practice Points published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the ACP announced that current evidence suggests there is a net benefit associated with the use of remdesivir in patients with COVID-19.

The ACP has issued clinical advice for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The advice is based on WHO’s update to its evidence-based guidance in July 2018.

Prescription pain medication abuse has declined in recent years, according to research presented at the Anesthesiology 2020 annual meeting.

Treatment with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine may increase the rates of several CV adverse events, including QT prolongation, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias and HF, researchers found.