health news
The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that it approved Merck & Co.’s (MRK) drug Januvia to treat type 2 diabetes.
Januvia is the first in a new class of diabetes medicine known as DPP-4 inhibitor. The drug works by enhancing the body’s own ability to lower blood sugar, or glucose, when it is elevated. >>
FDA tested more than 100 soft drinks and other beverages and found five containing cancer-causing Benzene. The five drinks were Safeway Select Diet Orange, Crush Pineapple, AquaCal Strawberry Flavored Water Beverage, Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange and Giant Light Cranberry Juice Cocktail. >>
FDA approved Azilect, also called rasagiline, for use as an initial single-drug therapy for early Parkinson's disease, and as an addition to levodopa in more advanced patients. Levodopa is a standard treatment for Parkinson's.
Azilect, made by Israel's Teva, also has the potential to cause involuntary movements, hallucinations and lowered blood pressure, the FDA said. >>
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may approve a vaccine against a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer. What's interesting is, if approved, it may be given to girls as young as 9 years old.
The vaccine, Gardasil, is the most important advance in the fight against cervical cancer in 50 years. Merck says Gardasil offers optimum protection when girls are inoculated before they become sexually active. >>
Drug maker Valeant said that the Food and Drug Administration approved its man-made cannabis treatment to help cancer patients control vomiting. >>
