Two Incretin Medications Fail to Decrease CV Risk in Patients With Diabetes

With all of the therapies available for treating diabetes, lowering blood sugar while also safely and effectively reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease has been difficult to find in single medication. That was underscored with the recent release of two new studies on saxagliptin and alogliptin, which found that, while they don’t increase cardiovascular risk, they don’t reduce it either. Find out more. 

Buprenorphine Film Strips Less Likely to Be Unintentionally Ingested by Children

Despite warning by pharmacists to safely store buprenorphine, unintended ingestion of the opioid by children under 6 years old sends some 1,500 youngsters to emergency departments each year. A new study suggests one way to reduce that threat. Find out why dispensing the drug as a film strip appears to cut down on the danger to children.

Pediatrics Group Recommends On-Line Resource for Lactation Drug Safety Questions

Nursing mothers often have questions about what drugs they can take without causing harm to their infant. A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pharmacists and other health professionals consult an easy-to-access resource that can answer most of those questions. Here are the details.

Fixed-Dose Combination Pill Improves Medication Adherence for CVD Prevention

Does taking multiple pills a day to reduce cardiovascular risk also lower therapy adherence? A new study suggests patients are more likely to regularly take a fixed-dose combination medication than their usual therapy. An accompanying commentary, however, questions whether enough research has been done on the benefits of a polypill. Follow the discussion here.