Drug shortages are becoming more common

May 2001

Drug shortages are becoming more common.

Recent shortages include albuterol inhalers...Fiorinal...phentermine...injectable dexamethasone...naloxone (Narcan)...fentanyl...succinylcholine...Enbrel...and tetanus vaccines.

These shortages are causing last-minute substitutions...rescheduled surgeries...and delayed vaccinations.

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many patients are getting drug doses that are too high
Diabetes Lantus, the new long-acting "peakless" insulin
Alzheimer's Disease new Alzheimer's drug, Reminyl
Ophthalmology glaucoma patients using two new eyedrops called Lumigan (bimatoprost) and Travatan (travoprost)
Ophthalmology patients getting severe migraines after using Xalatan (latanoprost) eyedrops
Respiratory & Allergy LESS frequent use of antibiotics for treating acute exacerbations of COPD
Cardiology severe muscle pain in patients taking both gemfibrozil (Lopid) and Baycol or other statins
Cardiology more unstable angina patients on Plavix and aspirin
Gastroenterology dose of Pepcid needs to be reduced even in patients with MODERATE renal impairment
Gastroenterology Protonix IV (pantoprazole), the first INTRAVENOUS proton pump inhibitor
Pediatrics rickets is making a comeback
Infectious Diseases Valcyte (valganciclovir) tablets, an improved version of oral Cytovene (ganciclovir)
Infectious Diseases TMP/SMX (Bactrim, Septra) for head lice
Hematology & Oncology mistletoe for breast cancer
Hematology & Oncology melatonin might help prevent or treat breast cancer
Shortages Drug shortages are becoming more common

Drug shortages are becoming more common

Get concise advice on drug therapy, plus unlimited access to CE

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