Oral Medication Dispenser
The design of the Exacta-Med dispenser prevents the attachment of a luer needle hub or a needleless connector, to help eliminate potential error from wrong-route oral liquid medication administration. For more information, contact Baxa Corp. by visiting
Service Allows Access to Device Data
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a novel service that provides access to clinical information from an implanted Medtronic device. CardioSight is designed for use by physicians who care for heart failure patients with such a device but who did not implant it. For more information, contact Medtronic by visiting
www.medtronic.com/physician/cardiosight
New Supplement for Joint Health
CH-Alpha joint health supplement contains 10 g collagen hydrolysate and may improve joint function, strength, and mobility. The supplement comes in monthly packs of 30 ready-to-drink vials, retailing for $60. For more information, contact GELITA Health Products U.S. Inc., by visiting
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Tests
Liquid pap specimens collected and processed with the Cytyc Corp. ThinPrep system can now be used with the Gen-Probe Inc. APTIMA Combo 2 assay to test for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. For more information, contact Gen-Probe Inc. by calling 800-523-5001 (option 1) 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST or by sending an e-mail to
Rapid Heart Failure Test
The Food and Drug Administration has granted a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waiver for the Triage BNP test. The rapid immunoassay tests blood for the presence of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which can be used to diagnose heart failure and assess severity. The 15-minute assay involves placing a few drops of the patient's blood on a disposable test device, which is then inserted into the Triage meter. For more information, contact Biosite Inc. by visiting
Clonazepam Disintegrating Tablets
Clonazepam orally disintegrating tablets (0.125 mg, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg) have been approved, alone or as an adjunct, for treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (petit mal variant), akinetic and myoclonic seizures, and for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia as defined in DSM-IV. For more information, contact Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. by visiting
New Indication for Diovan
Diovan (valsartan) is now approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in patients with left ventricular failure or dysfunction following myocardial infarction. The drug's heart failure labeling also has been expanded to include use in the treatment of a broader range of heart failure patients. The drug is no longer limited to those intolerant of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. For more information, contact Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. by visiting
Updated Label for ParaGard IUD
The label for ParaGard T 380A intrauterine copper contraceptive includes new prescribing information. Nulliparity or a history of sexually transmitted diseases is no longer a contraindication, nor is pelvic inflammatory disease unless a patient currently has acute disease or engages in sexual behavior suggesting a high risk for the disease. For more information, visit
Expanded Labeling for Pap Test
The ThinPrep pap test label now includes the detection of endocervical and endometrial glandular lesions. For more information, contact Cytyc Corp. by visiting
Extended-Release Pain Relief
Tramadol HCl extended-release tablets are approved for the management of moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in adults who require around-the-clock treatment of pain for an extended period of time. For more information, contact Biovail Pharmaceuticals Inc. by visiting
SelectSecure Lead System Approved
The SelectSecure pacing lead (model 3830) is approved for use with pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. The lead has a lumenless design that allows for flexibility and a smaller body size while maintaining insulation thickness. For more information, contact Medtronic Inc. by calling 800-328-2518 or 800-328-2518.
Frozen Premixed Ceftriaxone
Ceftriaxone injection is now packaged in single-dose plastic containers. The premixed frozen drug is ready to use. Ceftriaxone is indicated for the treatment of susceptible bacterial infections in the lung, skin, abdomen, genitourinary tract, ear, blood, CNS, bone, and joints. For more information, contact Baxter Healthcare Corp. by calling 800-422-9837 or 847-948-4770.
Mobic for Tx of Juvenile RA
Mobic (meloxicam) tablets and oral suspension have been approved for the relief of the signs and symptoms of pauciarticular or polyarticular course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in patients age 2 years and older. For more information, contact Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. by calling 800-243-0127 or 203-798-9988.