www.youtube.com/watch?v=axIzIzdUo1M

Continue reading here:
better medical marijuana – Video

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 336

Posted by Ed NormandFebruary 22, 2012 9:04 AM

Most people accept the fact that there are side effects for almost all prescription medications. Often, these side effects are minor or only effect a small percentage of the population. But doctors and pharmaceutical companies still have a responsibility to the public to protect them from dangerous or defective drugs. Here are some popular prescription medications that can come with some serious side effects, courtesy of Men’s Health:

Ambien. This popular prescription medication is a sleep aid, although it is becoming well known for its serious side effects. Some of the effects include “sleep eating,” memory loss and other odd behavior in general. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made the company add this label to Ambien’s Medication Guide: “After taking AMBIEN, you may get up out of bed while not being fully awake and do an activity that you do not know you are doing. The next morning, you may not remember that you did anything during the night.” Yikes. Chantix. This one is supposed to help patients who are trying to stop smoking. Chantix is used to help curb cravings for cigarettes. According to one study with over 3,000 participants, patients reported feeling suicidal thoughts and depression. The FDA issued the following warning for patients prescribed this medication: “Serious neuropsychiatric events have been reported in patients taking CHANTIX—as well as a lengthy list of side effects, including: serious skin reactions, cardiovascular events, night terrors, insomnia, nervous system disorder and eye disorders.” Okay, so maybe night eating doesn’t sound so bad after all.

Have you or a loved one experienced side effects from any of these drugs? You may be entitled to damages.

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

Originally posted here:
Scary Side Effects for Popular Prescription Medications

12:30pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News By Wendy Barlow , Court reporter

A 62-YEAR-OLD man, said to have a £35,600-a-year cannabis habit, has been jailed after he was caught growing the drug again.

John Patrick Corbett, who is also an alcoholic, had 24 large cannabis plants, which could potentially have yielded 630 grams of the drug, worth more than £6,000, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Corbett, who is on benefits, has a long record for cannabis offences and in November 2008 was spared prison for cultivating the drug at his home and claiming it was for medicinal purposes.

Three years earlier, he had been given a community rehabilitation order for cultivating cannabis.

The defendant, said to smoke £100 of cannabis a day, this time asked for help from the probation service again, but was jailed for 26 weeks instead.

Corbett, of Clover Hill Road, Nelson, had admitted producing cannabis, last October.

Silvia Dacre, prosecuting, told the court the cannabis farm, with 15 plants ready and nine growing, was not a very pro-fessional set-up.

She said: “It was a bit shambolic, really.”

The drugs could have been worth £6,300. Weighing scales had also been found.

Kristian Cavanagh, for Corbett, said he believed the probation service could offer him supervision and guidance. He needed to address his dependency on drink, which fuelled his cannabis problem.

The solicitor continued: “He’s not a sprightly 62-year-old. His long-term partner is disabled and relies heavily on the defendant.”

The court had earlier heard that in 2008, Corbett had been caught growing nine plants, which would have produced drugs with a street value of almost £1,300.

He had owned up on the basis he was growing the drugs for his own personal use.

The defendant had received four months in custody, suspended for two years.

Sending Corbett to prison last Friday, Recorder David Williams told him it was always a matter of regret to have a man of his age before the court.

Original post:
Nelson man's £35,000 cannabis habit leads to prison sentence

ProjectKnow.com Offers Vast Library of Information on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Addiction, and Recovery

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 22, 2012

ProjectKnow.com announced today the launch of its new website dedicated to answering hard questions that site visitors may have concerning substance and alcohol use. The new and improved website is intended to further the ProjectKnow.com goal of educating people about the causes, effects, symptoms and treatments for drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.

Evalyn Smith, the Knowledge Manager of ProjectKnow.com, spoke about the goals of the new website: “ProjectKnow.com is about more than just providing information about drug and alcohol addiction and substance abuse treatment,” she said. “It’s something we do extremely well, but it’s also about fostering a community where visitors can ask real-world questions and get real help from their peers—people with a very personal stake in recovery.”

ProjectKnow.com makes a wealth of information on drug and alcohol use available to the site’s visitors to allow for extensive research into all aspects of dependency. From alcohol to street drugs to prescription drug abuse, with the amount of available information, visitors can learn how to identify whether they or someone they know has a drug-related problem. Once the determination is made with the help of a social Q&A area, users of the site can educate themselves on the alcohol and drug addiction treatments available to help those who require assistance with the recovery process.

Along with educating visitors, the new site is designed to aid in the creation of a community comprised of site visitors and treatment personnel from alcohol and drug addiction treatment centers. A two-way conversation can ensue between visitors and rehab treatment personnel to provide answers to any questions visitors may have and to provide information that can help the drug addict or alcoholic become sober once more.

About ProjectKnow.com

ProjectKnow.com was started to help people answer their questions about drug and alcohol use and abuse. Whether you’re trying to help yourself or someone else who is struggling with a drinking problem or a dependency to illicit or prescription drugs, we’ll help you get informed and find any necessary detox or treatment options. The company’s services are available on the Web at http://www.projectknow.com.

###

Evalyn Smith
ProjectKnow.com
1-800-928-9139
Email Information

Original post:
New Site Answers Hard Questions about Addiction

A haul of suspected counterfeit sex drugs worth an estimated £140,000 has been found in police raids.

Around 28,000 suspected counterfeit erectile dysfunction tablets were seized by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) enforcement team following co-ordinated raids at three homes.

The raids took place as part of Operation Fitzroy, with the assistance of Leicestershire Police, at homes in Albert Street and Moor Lane in Loughborough, along with the Metropolitan Police in Frazier Street, south east London.

Two men have been arrested and drugs with an estimated value of £140,000 were seized.

It is suspected that the haul included around 6,000 counterfeit Cialis tablets, used to treat erectile dysfunction, although this needs to be confirmed by testing, the MHRA said.

Danny Lee-Frost, head of operations at the MHRA, said: “These raids demonstrate the MHRA's commitment to finding those attempting to deal with falsified medicines and send a very clear message that those responsible will not benefit from their criminality.

“It is the role of the MHRA to ensure the public have access to acceptably safe medicines and this action has prevented potentially unsafe medicines from reaching the public.”

See the original post here:
£140,000 sex drugs seized in raids

NASHVILLE, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that Michigan health plans are coming up with creative ways to manage their pharmacy benefits. Priority Health has formed an oncology patient centered medical home that will test a new payment reform system for chemotherapy drugs, according to the Michigan Health Plan Analysis.

Another example of creative pharmacy benefit management is Health Alliance Plan’s Hospital Readmission Avoidance program launched in January 2012. Under this plan clinical pharmacists will be integral in preventing hospital readmissions for the plan’s most chronically ill Medicare members, according to the report.

“With clinical guidelines being encouraged by health plans, the pharmaceutical industry will see opportunities to advocate for their drugs to be used in treatment plans,” says Betsy Dooley, market analyst with HealthLeaders-InterStudy.

The Michigan Health Plan Analysis also answers the following key questions:

What new plan design yielded high enrollment for BC/BS of Michigan in 2011? What factors contributed to regional and national health plans gaining enrollment between 2010 and 2011? What lawsuit could potentially alter competition within Michigan's health insurance industry?

Why Pharmaceutical Company Managed Markets Teams Need Health Plan Analysis

Health Plan Analysis identifies key health plan trends, allowing pharmaceutical companies to create comprehensive strategic plans and sales strategies at state and local levels. Updated quarterly, Health Plan Analysis provides a detailed look at plan design and financials, as well as information about mergers, legislation and other influencers driving healthcare in a particular region.

About HealthLeaders-InterStudy

HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a Decision Resources, Inc. company, is the authoritative source for managed care data, analysis and news. For more information, please visit www.HL-ISY.com.

About Decision Resources Group

Decision Resources Group is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources Group at www.DecisionResourcesgroup.com.

All company, brand or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Read more here:
Health Plans in Michigan Get Creative with Their Pharmacy Benefits Management

Contact: Dr. Ian Zagon
isz1@psu.edu
Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine

Researchers at The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania have discovered that the presence and integrity of the opioid growth factor receptor (OGFr), which mediates the inhibitory action of opioid growth factor (OGF) on cell proliferation, is a key to understanding the progression and treatment of human ovarian cancer. Transplantation of human ovarian cancer cells that were molecularly engineered to have a reduced expression of OGFr, into immunocompromised mice resulted in ovarian tumors that grew rapidly. This discovery, reported in the February 2012 issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine, provides fresh new insights into the pathogenesis and therapy of a lethal cancer that is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in the USA, and has a death rate that is unchanged for over 75 years.

The OGF (also-termed [Met5]-enkephalin)-OGFr axis plays a fundamental role in cancer, development, and cellular renewal by regulating cell proliferation. An important question addressed in this study relates to the requirement of this peptide-receptor system for the progression of carcinogenesis. Human ovarian cancer cell lines that were genetically modified to underexpress OGFr grew far more rapidly in tissue culture than control (empty vector/wildtype) cell lines. Moreover, the addition of OGF to cultures of these genetically modified cells did not respond to the inhibitory peptide and change cell number, indicating that the loss of OGFr interfered with the function of the OGF-OGFr axis with respect to regulating cell proliferation. Immunocompromised mice injected with ovarian cancer cells that had a reduction in OGFr displayed tumors much earlier than controls, and these tumors grew faster than controls. Putting this information together with knowledge that the pathway for OGF-OGFr regulation of cell proliferation in ovarian cancer is by way of increasing the cyclin-dependent inhibitory kinase proteins p16 and p21, we now can understand that minimizing the quantity of OGFr results in an increase in the number of cells entering the G1/S phase of the cell cycle. This has the net effect of increasing the progression of tumorigenic events. These results reveal the critical nature of OGFr in human ovarian cancer, and that the receptor along with its ligand, OGF, is essential for determining the course of these neoplasias.

The research team was comprised of Dr. Ian S. Zagon, Distinguished University Professor, and Dr. Patricia J. McLaughlin, Professor, along with Dr. Renee N. Donahue in the Department of Neural & Behavioral Sciences. Drs. Zagon and McLaughlin discovered that endogenous opioids serve as growth factors, and have been pioneers in translating their findings from the bench to the bedside. Dr. Zagon states that “Over 75% of women are initially diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. Despite excellent initial response to cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, 65% of these patients relapse within two years. However, only palliative care is available for these patients. With evidence from Phase I and II clinical trials as to the success of OGF for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer and knowledge presented herein that the OGF-OGFr axis is a critical determinant of the course of ovarian neoplasia, the present study raises the possibility of using this information to modulate the OGF-OGFr pathway with i) exogenous OGF, ii) imiquimod to upregulate OGFr, and/or iii) low dose naltrexone (LDN) to increase OGF and OGFr, as a therapeutic strategy for ovarian carcinoma.” Co-author Dr. McLaughlin adds that “A major problem in ovarian cancer is the need for diagnostic markers – both for early diagnosis and to monitor treatment modalities. Since some of the signaling pathways for OGF-OGFr are known (e.g., karyopherin ?, Ran, p16, p21), the components of this system would represent a worthwhile focus in designing diagnostic assays.” Dr. Donahue, who conducted the ovarian cancer studies and its relationship to the OGF-OGFr axis for her doctoral dissertation, states that “Ovarian cancers frequently have a methylation of p16 that is associated with an increased progression of ovarian cancer and a loss of OGFr in ovarian tumors. The diminished expression of OGFr and its repercussions on tumorigenesis, only adds to the concern about the need for information concerning genetic and epigenetic changes that may impact the course of disease and its treatment. Our findings also hold potentially ominous overtones for those individuals taking naltrexone for addictive disorders. The dosage used for treatment of addiction blocks opioid receptors continually. The present findings that diminishing the OGF-OGFr axis by depleting the receptor exacerbates tumorigenesis, could place these patients using naltrexone at risk for accelerating disease processes that involve cell proliferation.”

Dr. Steven R. Goodman, Editor-in-Chief of Experimental Biology and Medicine, said “This compelling evidence confirms the absolute requirement for OGFr (and OGF) as a tonically active inhibitory regulatory mechanism in ovarian cancer. As a corollary, amplifying the OGF-OGFr pathway is a novel and highly effective biotherapeutic strategy to suppress the progression of these deadly cancers.”

###

Experimental Biology and Medicine is the journal of the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine. To learn about the benefits of society membership visit www.sebm.org. If you are interested in publishing in the journal please visit http://ebm.rsmjournals.com/.

[ | E-mail | Share ]

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

View post:
A breakthrough in understanding the biology and treatment of ovarian cancer

We all know that the big drug companies are not always truly honest with us regarding the potential side effects of their medications, and this is true for medications for dogs also.

There is one drug for arthritis in dogs, Rimadyl, that is being widely prescribed in Crescent City. But what you are not being told is that one potential side-effect could be the death of your dog. I’ve done a lot of research on this drug and I will not give it to my dog. I’d like to offer for all who might be interested some links that are providing information about the risks of using Rimadyl.

There are  thepetguardian.com/html/kpho_phoenix_-_dog_drug_may_be.html  and srdogs.com/

Pages/rimadylfr.html (this site also included a link on the side panel that shares the stories of some horrible deaths of dogs that may have resulted from Rimadyl. Very difficult to read for any dog lover.)

Another is pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/

doghealth2/ (a yahoo group of over 1,400 dog lovers.) If you’d like more information, please feel free to e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Leah L. Ward

Crescent City

Extending the payroll tax cut further depletes Social Security

I am absolutely amazed that none of the many news items I’ve seen on TV and read in the newspaper have mentioned the fact that the Congress, by extending the payroll tax cut, has effectively further depleted the future solvency of Social Security.

Not even AARP nor the Tea Party, which is supposed to be for the people, including seniors, has mentioned it.

I wonder how many people actually realize what is happening. Last night on “PBS NewsHour” was the first mention made during an interview with U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi and she defended it by saying it would only be for a few years.

Laurel Marquart

Crescent City

See the article here:
Letters to the Editor Feb. 18, 2012

Drugs that improve connections between nerve cells in the brain may be able to improve people's memory and help understand disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, scientists have revealed.

A new study, published in the journal PLoS Biology, found that when a protein used to strengthen synapses in the brain was given to rats, it improved their ability to learn and retain information.

The study, led by doctors Jose A Esteban, Shira Knafo and Cesar Venero, is the result of collaboration between researchers at The Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa at the Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia (UNED) in Spain; the Brain Mind Institute at the Ecole polytechnique federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland; and the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology at the Faculty of Health Sciences in Denmark.

They looked at the connections, or synapses, which control cognitive function, and the way they change in strength and properties – known as synaptic plasticity.

Alterations in synaptic plasticity, suggested to be the cellular basis for learning and memory, are thought to be responsible for multiple cognitive deficits such as autism and Alzheimer's disease.

The new study looked at how synaptic plasticity can be manipulated to improve cognitive performance.

Scientists found synapses can be made more plastic by using a small protein fragment or peptide.

When administered to rats, this peptide – called FGL – was found to enhance their ability to learn and retain spatial information.

Dr Esteban said: “We have known for three decades that synaptic connections are not fixed from birth, but they respond to neuronal activity modifying their strength.

“Thus, outside stimuli will lead to the potentiation of some synapses and the weakening of others.”

The rest is here:
Drugs hope for memory improvement

The Food and Drug Administration, along with private manufacturers, announced efforts on Tuesday that they say will stave off shortages for two cancer drugs.

The FDA sped up approval of a new formulation of methotrexate, a drug used to treat children’s cancer, made by  APP Pharmaceutical. It said another company that makes the drug, Hospira, had pushed out extra doses to address the ongoing shortage.

The FDA also said it would temporarily allow imports of an Indian-made drug called Lipodox, which is not yet approved in the United States but can be used as a substitute to cover shortages of the cancer drug Doxil.

“Temporary importation of unapproved foreign drugs is considered in rare cases when there is a shortage of an approved drug that is critical to patients and the shortage cannot be resolved in a timely fashion with FDA-approved drugs,” the FDA said in a statement.

“We must aggressively address the often life-threatening challenge of drug shortages,” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said at a news conference. “The FDA has been actively and aggressively working with industry … to ensure treatment and therapies get into the hand of those who need them, when they need them.”

In an unusually coordinated move, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Nancy-Ann DeParle wrote a blog post trumpeting the Obama administration’s October executive order asking drugmakers to voluntarily report shortages. Since that effort, FDA says drug shortage notifications have increased sixfold.

“Since President Obama signed his executive order, FDA has prevented 114 drug shortages. In part, this resulted from the administration’s call for voluntarily notification to the FDA of potential shortages,” wrote DeParle. “Congress still has not acted on legislation that would make notifying the FDA of potential drug shortages mandatory in more cases. And we know that there is no one single cause of drug shortages: Everyone has a role to play to prevent shortages from happening.”

The FDA also borrowed a page from the White House’s health reform law playbook, showcasing the story of child who might lose access to life-saving cancer drugs to bring a human element to the problem of drug shortages.

“Just last week we saw the news about the shortage, and we asked my son’s clinic if we should be worried about Nate,” said Sara Stuckey, of Lincoln, Ill. Stuckey's 6-year-old son Nate has acute lymphoblastic leukemia and needs methotrexate to live. “The head nurse said there was enough for the next treatment, but after that we should be concerned.”

Hamburg called on Congress to pass one of the bipartisan bills introduced in the House and Senate to slow drug shortages by requiring manufacturers to tell the FDA when there are potential shortages, among other measures.

“The proposed legislation would really put into law a broader reporting framework, which we think will have real benefits,” Hamburg said. She added that since many drug ingredients come from around the globe, FDA “must have the ability, the resources, the dollars and people to be able to go out around the world to ensure products are being made in ways that accord with our standards to ensure safety and quality.”

Congress is in the process of reauthorizing a program through which private industry pays fees to the FDA to have drug products approved. It is a likely vehicle for any drug-shortage legislation to hitch a ride.

See more here:
FDA Slows Shortages of Two Cancer Drugs