Health Highlights: Jan. 19, 2008
Mar. 23 -- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:
New HIV Drug Approved for Adults Who Fail Other Treatments
The anti-HIV medication etravirine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for adults who have failed treatment with other antiretrovirals.
Sold under the trade name Intelence, etravirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, which helps block an enzyme that the AIDS-causing virus needs to multiply, the FDA said in a statement. This is aimed at reducing the amount of HIV in the blood and boosting infection-fighting white blood cells.
In clinical testing, 599 adults who received etravirine and additional antiviral therapy had greater reductions in blood HIV levels than adults who received a non-medicinal placebo and the same additional therapy. The most common side effects reported were rash and nausea.
The long-term effects of etravirine haven't been studied, nor have the drug's effects in pregnant women or among people age 16 or younger, the agency said.
Etravirine is distributed by Tibotec Therapeutics, whose parent firm -- Ortho Biotech Products -- is based in New Jersey.
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Canned Bean Recall Expanded Over Botulism Concerns
Michigan-based New Era Canning Co. is expanding its nationwide recall of canned green beans and canned garbanzo beans to include all product distributed over the past five years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. The beans may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism.
Botulism can be a life-threatening condition with symptoms beginning six hours to two weeks after consumption of tainted food. Symptoms may include double or blurred vision, droopy eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that feels like it's moving down the body. Botulism poisoning can also cause life-threatening paralysis of the breathing muscles.
There are no reports of illness from affected 6.5-pound institutional-sized cans, which may or may not have New Era's name on them. This FDA page lists all products currently involved in the recall.
Regardless of brand or product name, no cans should be opened or used. Even tiny amounts of C. botulinum can trigger serious illness if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the eyes or skin.
Any cans that may be affected should be carefully double-bagged and thrown away immediately, the agency warned.
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Recalled Heparin and Saline Flushes May Be Contaminated
Pre-filled syringes containing either the anti-clotting agent heparin or normal saline solution may be contaminated with a dangerous bacterium and are being recalled by the manufacturer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday.
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