Content about Endocrinology

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug to treat a rare but serious endocrine disorder.

Swiss drug maker Novartis announced the approval of Signifor (pasireotide), an injectable drug for treating Cushing's disease in adults for whom pituitary surgery is not an option or has not been curative. Novartis said Signifor was the first drug to be approved in the United States that addresses the disease's underlying mechanism.

DALLAS  — Comedic actresses Sherri Shepherd and Cloris Leachman are finding the humor in menopause by headlining the Poise brand’s Hot Flash Road Show, a free comedy tour making stops in New York and Los Angeles this fall that was announced Friday by Kimberly Clark. Open to the public, the Hot Flash Road Show is part of The 2nd Talk, an effort led by the Poise brand to start a whole new way to talk about menopause and help women approach this life stage with confidence.

INDIANAPOLIS — A biotech drug made by Eli Lilly for osteoporosis appeared no more or less effective than a pharmaceutical drug available as a generic in treating women with related bone fractures, but was more effective in some other measures, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial released Tuesday.

NEW YORK — Extended use of the oral DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin to lower blood-glucose levels by Type 2 diabetes patients is effective, according to a new study.

A team of eight researchers — four of which work for drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim — examined 2,121 Type 2 diabetes patients that had taken part in four previous 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in order to monitor them for a further 78 weeks. The participants who took part in the extended trial came from 231 sites in 32 countries.

An integrated wellness team approach to diabetes care can help patients not only improve their condition, but also lower their prescription costs, according to new research presented at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists’ 21st annual Scientific and Clinical Congress in Philadelphia.


PHILADELPHIA — An integrated wellness team approach to diabetes care can help patients not only improve their condition, but also lower their prescription costs, according to new research presented at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists' 21st annual Scientific and Clinical Congress in Philadelphia.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic has announced that this spring it is offering a free monitoring visit for patients with diabetes to help keep their health in check between visits to a primary care provider.

The complimentary monitoring service, which is available seven days a week, is administered by a MinuteClinic nurse practitioner or physician assistant and includes:

• Hemoglobin A1C and blood-glucose test (as needed);

• Blood pressure check;

• Body mass index (BMI);

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic version of a drug for treating and preventing osteoporosis in women after menopause, the agency said Monday.

The FDA announced the approval of ibandronate tablets in the 150-mg strength made by Apotex, Orchid Healthcare and Mylan Pharmaceuticals. Genentech makes the branded version of the drug.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson has launched an authorized generic drug for treating postmenopausal women, the company said Friday.

Watson announced the launch of progesterone capsules in the 100-mg and 200-mg strengths, an authorized generic version of Abbott Labs' Prometrium, under an agreement with Abbott. Abbott will manufacture the drug and supply it to Watson, which will market and distribute it and share profits. Other terms were not disclosed, the companies said.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, England — Pregnant women with diabetes are almost four times more likely to have a baby with a birth defect than women without the condition, and the likelihood is linked to the mother's glucose level, according to a new study released by Newcastle University Monday.

The study, led by researchers at Newcastle University and the Regional Maternity Survey Office and funded by Diabetes UK, suggests that as many as 1-in-13 deliveries to women with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes involves a major congenital anomaly, also known as a birth defect.

CHICHESTER, England — Self-monitoring blood glucose levels in Type 2 diabetics not on an insulin regimen may contribute little to managing the disease, according to an analysis published online last month by The Cochran Library.