Simvastatin Didn’t Reduce COPD Exacerbations,
Improve Lung Function

While statins effectively lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, recent research has suggested other benefits for the commonly prescribed drugs. Among those is reducing the rate and severity of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A large randomized trial found no evidence of benefit, however. Here are the details.

PSA-Only Relapse Survival Not Effected By
Androgen-Deprivation Delay

When to start androgen-deprivation therapy in patients with PSA-only relapse after prostate cancer treatment is not an easy decision. Patients may be anxious to do something, but the drugs can cause a range of difficult side effects. Now, a new study finds that delaying treatment up to 2 years in some men doesn’t affect survival rates. Why do the researchers believe that delay also could be beneficial?

Antibiotic Use in Infancy Raises Persistent Asthma Risk

TUnnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for infants not only can increase resistance and costs, they also predispose patients to development of asthma. That’s according to a new study from Boston Children’s Hospital linking use to early-onset childhood asthma. Find out how repeated courses of antibiotics affect the risk.

FDA Reduces Eszopiclone Starting Dose to Reduce Next-Day Impairment

The FDA again has reduced the starting dosage of a sleep medication formulation because of concerns about next-day impairment. A safety alert reduced the recommended starting dose of eszopiclone, marketed as Lunesta, to 1 mg at bedtime. Labels and prescribing inserts will reflect the change for both Lunesta and generics.