Weight loss and Weight Chat Blog

March 24, 2009

Lexapro, Celexa and depression

Last week’s FDA approval of Lexapro to treat depression in adolescents 12-17 years old got me to thinking both about bureaucratic nonsense and corporate shenanigans. That’s because, in a classic case of bureaucratitis, the FDA approval came just weeks after Justice Department prosecutors, following a 5-year investigation, accused Forest Laboratories of illegally marketing Lexapro for use in these very same children. Of course, such actions are not mutually exclusive because, in fact, it would have been illegal for Forest to promote the use of Lexapro in kids prior to such an FDA approval, but, really, when one arm of the government says it’s now fully convinced of Lexapro’s efficacy in children doesn’t it seem a bit odd that another arm would be spending so much time and effort prosecuting the company for promoting such use? Shouldn’t they be going after companies promoting things that don’t actually work? Maybe yes, maybe […]

Original post by admin and weightlossopinions.com

April 24, 2008

Cimzia approved for Crohn’s disease

The FDA has granted approval of Cimzia [certolizumab pegol] as the fourth biologic agent for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. Cimzia, like Remicade [infliximab] and Humira [adalimumab], is an antibody that blocks the action of TNF (tumor necrosis factor), a pro-inflammatory chemical known to play a central role in causing the pathology of a variety of inflammatory disorders including Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. Tysabri [natalizumab], the fourth biologic for Crohn’s, is also an antibody, but it works by blocking the action of certain types of white blood cells that are involved in the inflammatory process.
Cimzia [certolizumab pegol] received approval for treating adults with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease who have not responded to conventional therapies.
All biologics approved for Crohn’s disease must be given by injection. Remicade and Tysabri are given by IV infusion while Cimzia and Humira are given by subcutaneous injection. Humira […]

Original post by admin and weightlossopinions.com

Powered by WordPress