Health Library

FDA Approves New Drug to Fight Advanced Prostate Cancer WEDNESDAY, May 15 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that it has approved a drug to help men with advanced prostate cancer whose disease has spread to the bones. The drug, Xofigo, is targeted to patients with late-stage, metastatic disease that has spread to the bones but not to other organs, the FDA said in a news release. It is meant for patients who have already undergone surgery and/or drug therapies s...

FDA: Lower Ambien's Dose to Prevent Drowsy Driving WEDNESDAY, May 15 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved new, lower-dose labeling for the popular sleep drug Ambien (zolpidem) in an effort to cut down on daytime drowsiness that could be a hazard while performing certain tasks such as driving. The move follows the FDA's request to manufacturers in January that drugs containing zolpidem carry instructions that lower the recommended dose and provide more safety information...

Fitness in Middle Age May Help Shield Men From Cancer Later THURSDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) -- Men who are physically fit in middle age have a lower risk of developing and dying from certain cancers, new research indicates. "Fitness is a huge predictor of [cancer] risk," said Dr. Susan Lakoski, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Vermont, in Burlington. "You need to be fit to protect yourself against a cancer diagnosis in older age." Men who were fit in their 40s, 50s and ...

Fatal Crashes Involving Cellphone Use May Be Under-Reported THURSDAY, May 9 (HealthDay News) -- The number of fatal crashes involving drivers distracted by cellphones is vastly under-reported in the United States, according to a new study. National Safety Council researchers looked at 180 fatal crashes nationwide from 2009 to 2011 where evidence indicated driver cellphone use. Of the crashes in 2011, only 52 percent were labeled as cellphone-related in federal government data. "We believe the number of ...

Fast Food Hasn't Gotten Much Healthier, Study Says WEDNESDAY, May 8 (HealthDay News) -- Next time you have a craving for fast food, don't kid yourself that choices today are much healthier, a new study says. The nutritional quality of menu items at fast-food restaurants has improved only modestly over 14 years, according to researchers. The researchers analyzed menus from eight fast-food restaurant chains. The menus from 1997-1998 to 2009-2010 came from McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, Kentu...

Fish Oil Supplements Don't Protect Against Heart Trouble: Study WEDNESDAY, May 8 (HealthDay News) -- Although previous research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids may help those who have already had a heart attack or suffer from heart failure, a new study finds that the supplements do little to prevent cardiac trouble in people who have risk factors for heart disease. Italian researchers reported that omega-3 fatty acid supplements did not reduce death from heart disease or heart attacks or strokes in t...

Flame-Retardant Chemicals Could Be Toxic to Kids MONDAY, May 6 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to flame-retardant chemicals in the womb is associated with hyperactivity and lower intelligence in children, a new study indicates. Researchers examined the effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which were used for decades as fire retardants in common products such as carpeting, baby strollers and electronics. "In animal studies, PBDEs can disrupt thyroid hormone and cause hyperactivity and learning...

For Pregnant Smokers, Vitamin C Might Help Babies' Lungs TUESDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Vitamin C may help prevent lung problems in babies born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy, according to a small new study. Pregnant women are advised not to smoke because it can harm the baby's lungs and lead to problems such as wheezing and asthma. But if a pregnant woman can't quit smoking, taking vitamin C may help protect their baby's lungs, researchers found. The study included 159 women who were less th...

FDA Proposes Tougher Warnings for Tanning Beds MONDAY, May 6 (HealthDay News) -- Despite a prior recommendation from its own expert advisory panel, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday announced that it has no immediate plan to ban the use of indoor tanning devices by children. Instead, the agency is proposing bumping up "sunlamp products" from a low-risk, class I device to a moderate risk, class II device, and mandating that tanning devices have labeling warning against their use by young pe...

FDA Warns Pregnant Women About Migraine Drugs MONDAY, May 6 (HealthDay News) -- Pregnant women who struggle with migraine headaches should never use medicines containing the ingredient valproate because they can lower the IQ scores of their children, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Monday. The new warning will be included on the labels of medicines that contain valproate. These medicines already carry a boxed warning about fetal risk, including birth defects. Valproate products include valpro...