Content about Digestive diseases

NEW YORK — An organization focused on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis has revamped its website, the group said Tuesday.

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America said it worked with Pittsburgh-based digital marketing agency BarkleyREI to redesign the website. The new site includes a section for people newly diagnosed with the diseases; a library that includes webcasts, brochures, fact sheets and videos; social media integration; pages listing local chapters and support groups; and other resources.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is hoping to be the first to market a generic version of a drug used to treat ulcerative colitis, the company said.

Watson announced that it had filed with the Food and Drug Administration through a subsidiary for melamine delayed-release tablets, a generic version of Shire Development's Lialda, in the 1.2-g strength. Watson's filing included a Paragraph IV certification, a legal assertion that Lialda's patent protection is invalid, unenforceable or won't be infringed.

SAN DIEGO — Drug maker Santarus has submitted a new drug application with the Food and Drug Administration for a treatment for ulcerative colitis, the company said.

The application was for Uceris (budesonide) tablets in the 9-mg strength for moderate active UC. The company is developing the drug under a collaboration with Cosmo Technologies.

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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club is offering a free digestive health screening this month.

HORSHAM, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Johnson & Johnson for treating ulcerative colitis in children.

J&J subsidiary Janssen Biotech said Friday that the FDA approved Remicade (infliximab) for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in children who have not responded adequately to conventional therapies.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Shire for treating ulcerative colitis, the British drug maker said Monday.

Shire announced the approval of Lialda (mesalamine) delayed-release tablets for the maintenance of remission in patients with the disease.

The drug was already approved for inducing remission in patients with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory disease that affects the colon and causes chronic inflammation, sores and ulcers.

NEW ORLEANS — Studies have indicated that proton-pump inhibitors, used for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, reduce the efficacy of a popular blood-thinning drug, but Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America announced on Tuesday the results of a new study indicating that its own PPIs may have less of an effect.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is warning that long-term use of a class of drugs for gastroesophageal reflux disease may decrease levels of magnesium in the body and increase the risk of such side effects as seizures and heart rhythm problems, according to published reports.

The reports quoted the FDA as saying that in a quarter of cases of proton-pump inhibitors depleting magnesium from the body, use of magnesium supplements did not bring levels back to normal, and use of the drugs had to be stopped.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a drug made by Eisai for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, Eisai said Tuesday.

The drug maker announced its receipt of a complete response letter from the agency for its application for rabeprazole sodium extended-release capsules, a proton-pump inhibitor for GERD. The FDA delivers a complete response letter when it has finished reviewing a regulatory approval application, but issues remain that preclude final approval of the drug.