Bristol-Myers Squibb, maker of the antibiotic Tequin announced to healthcare professionals that the prescription information warning was a result of continued reports of serious cases of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

Information about the risks of low blood sugar and high blood sugar was added to the warning section in 2002. In 2006, labeling strengthened the existing warning of low blood sugar and high blood sugar along with a contraindication for use in diabetic patients. (FDA)

Posted by Michael Monheit at 10:07 AM | Permalink

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a dangerous health condition and is completely preventable. If you have Type 1 diabetes, high blood glucose can lead to DKA. When the body cannot use sugar for energy because of lack of insulin, the body breaks down fat for energy and ketones are made. Ketones are the acids or toxins produced when blood glucose rises in the absence of insulin. Large amounts of ketones in the blood cause the life-threatening problem called diabetic ketoacidosis. When high levels of ketones are in the blood, the ketones spill into the urine, just as sugar does. Your whole body becomes too acid: in other words, you have acidosis (BC Health)

Posted by Michael Monheit at 09:21 AM | Permalink

Last year the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey forced the company to comply with a deferred prosecution agreement after an investigation into $2.5 billion worth of channel stuffing which is a practice that involves overloading wholesalers with drugs to meet quarterly sales targets. (Read More)

Posted by Michael Monheit at 09:19 AM | Permalink

To help physicians with the appropriate use of antibiotics in children and adults with upper respiratory tract infection, a multidisciplinary team evaluated existing guidelines and summarized key practice points. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 100 million antibiotic prescriptions are written each year in the ambulatory care setting. With so many prescriptions written each year, inappropriate antibiotic use will promote resistance. The misuses of antibiotics have led to antibiotic resistant bacteria. (AAFP)

Posted by Michael Monheit at 09:20 AM | Permalink