Only Minor CV Risks Associated With
Smoking-Cessation Therapies

Pharmacists who field a lot of questions about the cardiovascular safety of smoking cessation therapies now have some comforting information to offer. A new study finds that the major products used to quit smoking don’t raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death. How should smoking-cessation product users be counseled to avoid risks of minor heart symptoms?

“Breakthrough” Drug Approved for Chronic
HCV Treatment

The latest FDA-approved therapies for HCV don’t require coadministration of interferon, which could decrease side effects and increase treatment adherence. Sofosbuvir and simeprevir are just two of several new drugs pouring out of the pharmaceutical pipeline that could revolutionize treatment for the more than 3 million Americans with the infectious disease. Here are the details.

Narrowly Focused Antibiotics Equally Effective for Pediatric Pneumonia

Broad-spectrum antibiotics may be the most common treatment for children hospitalized with pneumonia, but a new study suggests they don’t offer any benefits over use of more narrow-spectrum therapies. Find out how the choice of antibiotics affected readmission and other quality measures.

Long-Term Use of Acid-Reducing Drugs Can
Affect B12 Levels

Many patients stay on proton pump inhibitors and histamine 2 receptor antagonists for years, but a new study adds to evidence that long-term use is not risk free. Find out how much more likely vitamin B12 deficiency is for users of drugs for prevention of heartburn and ulcers.