Generic drugs articles

Indoor and outdoor allergies affect about 50
million people in the United States.(1)(2) Yet, according to "Attitudes
About Allergies," a national telephone survey, allergies are often
disregarded as a nuisance: in today’s society allergies get little respect.
As a result, allergy sufferers continue to cope needlessly with not only
the physical impact of allergies, but the emotional effects as well. The
survey was commissioned by Schering-Plough/MERCK Pharmaceuticals and
conducted by Generic cipro pills no prescription Harris Interactive(R). Three separate surveys were conducted:
a survey of more than 1,000 consumers, which included allergy sufferers and
non-allergy sufferers; a survey of more than 1,000 allergy sufferers only;
and a survey of 300 physicians.
The survey of consumers found that they view diabetes (81 percent),
hypertension or high blood pressure (76 percent) and arthritis (57 percent)
as more serious than indoor and outdoor allergies. Twenty-nine percent of
consumers said they view insomnia as more serious than indoor and outdoor
allergies. In addition, while the survey of consumers found that
seventy-eight percent feel sorry for allergy sufferers, more than a third
(36 percent) believe that allergy sufferers overstate the severity of their
symptoms and thirty percent say allergy sufferers use allergies as an
excuse to get out of something.
"Allergies are often disregarded in our society, making it acceptable
to tell allergy sufferers to ‘get on with it’ and not complain," said
Belinda Borrelli, PhD, associate professor, department of psychiatry and
human behavior, Brown Medical School and The Miriam Hospital. "But
allergies take an emotional toll on the sufferer. And despite that,
sufferers persevere, going to work, school and social engagements as if
nothing is wrong. Many don’t feel like it would be acceptable to call in
sick or change plans because of their allergies."
The survey of allergy sufferers found that about half (48 percent) feel
their spouse or significant other does not view their allergies to be a
serious health condition. Sufferers also perceive others as not taking
their allergies that seriously, saying their relatives (81 percent),
friends (86 percent) and co-workers (78 percent) view their allergies as a
somewhat serious or not serious health condition. Even their physicians,
they say, are ambivalent. The survey of allergy sufferers found that nearly
three quarters (74 percent) believe that their doctor views their allergies
as a somewhat serious or not serious health condition.
But clearly, that’s not the case. According to the survey of physicians
who treat allergies, a majority of physicians (84 percent) said in general,
patients do not overstate allergy symptoms. In addition, most physicians
view insomnia (83 percent) and osteoarthritis (69 percent) as being less
serious or equally as serious as allergies. Physicians report they view
diabetes (90 percent) and hypertension (84 percent) as being more serious
than allergies.
"Societal ambivalence toward allergies has impacted the management of
the disease," said David Lang, M.D., Section Head Allergy/Immunology
Respiratory Institute at Cleveland Clinic. "It’s true that allergies aren’t
life threatening, but they are quality of life-threatening on both physical
and emotional levels."
According to the survey of allergy sufferers, only about a third (34
percent) go to see a doctor for treatment when their symptoms are bothering
them.
"It’s absolutely crucial for allergy sufferers to begin a dialogue with
their physicians so that, together, they can address and overcome the
barriers keeping them from finding effective relief," said Jennifer
Derebery, M.D., clinical professor of otolaryngology at the Keck School of
Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
The survey of allergy sufferers also shed new light on the often hidden
emotional impact of allergy symptoms. According to the survey, six in 10
sufferers (62 percent) report that their symptoms impact their mood. The
sufferer survey also found that when experiencing symptoms about half (51
percent) say they feel annoyed; forty-eight percent say they feel irritable
(48 percent); forty-two percent say they feel frustrated. And, two in 10
(22 percent) report that their allergy symptoms make them feel less
attractive; nineteen percent feel self-conscious (19 percent).
"We need to empower people with allergies to speak up and treat their
allergies as what they are — a medical condition that can have difficult
and sometimes debilitating effects," said Mike Tringale, director of
external affairs, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). "Allergy
sufferers should feel comfortable talking about their symptoms with their
family, friends and healthcare providers."
For complete survey results, please visit

About Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis affects more than 50 million people in the United
States(1)(2) and accounts for more than 14 million physician office visits
each year.(3) It is one of the most costly chronic illnesses in the United
States(4) and is estimated to cause 100 million days of lost work per
year.(5)
There are two forms of allergic rhinitis: seasonal and perennial.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (often referred to as "hay-fever") occurs only
during certain times of the year and is commonly caused by allergies to
tree, grass and weed pollen. Perennial allergic rhinitis can occur
throughout the year and is caused by frequent exposure to allergens such as
animal dander, indoor mold spores or house dust mites.(6)
Allergic rhinitis results when the immune system comes in contact with
an allergen, such as dust mites, animal dander or pollen, and mistakenly
identifies it as an intruder.(7) An allergic reaction results, involving
the body’s release of various inflammatory mediators, such as histamine and
leukotrienes, as a defense against the allergens, causing allergy symptoms
such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and itching of the palate,
eyes and nose.(8)
About the Attitudes About Allergies Steering Committee
Guidance to the development of the survey was provided by the Attitudes
About Allergies Steering Committee including Belinda Borelli, PhD,
associate professor, department of psychiatry and human behavior, Brown
Medical School and The Miriam Hospital; Jennifer Derebery, M.D., clinical
professor of otolaryngology at the Keck School of Medicine, University of
Southern California, Los Angeles; David Lang, M.D., Section Head
Allergy/Immunology Respiratory Institute at Cleveland Clinic; and Mike
Tringale, director of external affairs, Allergy & Asthma Foundation of
America.
About the Attitudes About Allergies: Omnibus Survey
This survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Schering-
Plough/MERCK Pharmaceuticals and is based on telephone interviews conducted
January 10 - 20, 2008 with 1,007 adults 18 years or older throughout the
United States including 551 with indoor or outdoor allergies and 454
without indoor or outdoor allergies. Two adults reported they did not know
if they had either indoor or outdoor allergies and were excluded from the
results. All telephone interviewing was conducted using random digit
dialing (RDD) methodology. The data are weighted to be representative of
U.S. adults 18 years of age or older. The sampling error for this survey is
plus or minus 3.2 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.
About the Attitudes About Allergies: Allergy Sufferer Survey
This survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Schering-
Plough/MERCK Pharmaceuticals and is based on telephone interviews conducted
January 8 - 23, 2008, with 1,006 adults 18 years or older throughout the
United States who suffer from indoor or outdoor allergies. All telephone
interviewing was conducted using random digit dialing (RDD) methodology.
The data are weighted to be representative of U.S. adults 18 years of age
or older who have indoor or outdoor allergies. The sampling error for this
survey is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence
level.
About the Attitudes About Allergies: Physician Survey
This survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Schering-
Plough/MERCK Pharmaceuticals and is based on telephone interviews conducted
January 8 - February 1, 2008, with 302 physicians who treat patients with
allergic rhinitis. The physician sample included 102 primary care
physicians, 100 allergists, and 100 otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and
throat specialists). The total sample of physicians was weighted to be
representative of the population of physicians in the U.S. who treat
patients with allergic rhinitis. The sampling error for this survey is plus
or minus 5.8 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.
About Harris Interactive(R)
Harris Interactive is one of the largest and fastest-growing market
research firms in the world. The company provides innovative research,
insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident
decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in
performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll(R), one
of the longest running, independent opinion polls, and for pioneering
online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to
be the world’s largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online.
Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its North American,
European and Asian offices, and through a global network of independent
market research firms. More information about Harris Interactive may be
obtained at
References:
1 American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Topic of the Month:
March 2007: Spring & Allergic Rhinitis. Available at
Accessed August 1,
2007.
2 American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Tips to Remember:
Rhinitis. Available at
Accessed
August 1, 2007.
3 CDC. National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2004 Emergency
Department Summary.
4 Goetzel R, et al. Health, absence, disability, and presenteeism cost
estimates of certain physical and mental health conditions affecting
U.S. employers. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
2004;46:398-412.
5 Bellanti JA, Wallerstedt DB. Allergic rhinitis update: epidemiology and
natural history. Allergy Asthma Proc 2000;21:367-370.
6 American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Tips to Remember:
Rhinitis. Available at
Accessed
July 25, 2007
7 American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Tips to Remember:
Rhinitis. Available at
Accessed
July 25, 2007
Schering-Plough

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BACKGROUND:
Every cell contains a tiny clock called a telomere, which shortens each time the cell divides. Short telomeres are linked to a range of human diseases, including HIV, osteoporosis, heart disease and aging. Previous studies show that an enzyme within the cell, called telomerase, keeps immune cells young by preserving their telomere length and ability to continue dividing.
FINDINGS:
UCLA scientists found that the stress hormone cortisol suppresses immune cells’ ability to activate their telomerase. This may explain why the cells of persons under chronic stress have shorter telomeres.
IMPACT:
The study reveals how stress makes people more susceptible to illness. The findings also suggest a potential drug target for preventing damage to the immune systems of persons who are under long-term stress, such as caregivers to chronically ill family members, as well as astronauts, soldiers, air traffic controllers and people who drive long daily commutes.
AUTHOR:
Buy zithromax pills Rita Effros, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and a member of the Jonsson Cancer Center, Molecular Biology Institute and UCLA AIDS Institute, is available for interviews.
"When the body is under stress, it boosts production of cortisol to support a "fight or flight" response," explains Effros. "If the hormone remains elevated in the bloodstream for long periods of time, though, it wears down the immune system. We are testing therapeutic ways of enhancing telomerase levels to help the immune system ward off cortisol’s effect. If we’re successful, one day a pill may exist to strengthen the immune system’s ability to weather chronic emotional stress."
—————————-
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
—————————-
JOURNAL:
The research was published in the May issue of the peer-reviewed journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity.
FUNDING:
The study was supported by the National Institute of Aging, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, the Geron Corp. and TA Therapeutics, Ltd.
Contact: Elaine Schmidt
University of California - Los Angeles
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Alexza
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXA) announced that it has completed
the enrollment in its Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial with AZ-002
(Staccato(R) alprazolam) in patients with panic disorder. AZ-002 is an
inhalation product candidate being developed for the acute treatment of
panic attacks associated with panic disorder. AZ-002 is being developed
through Symphony Allegro, a development collaboration formed between Alexza
and Symphony Capital in 2006.
The AZ-002 Phase 2a clinical trial was an in-clinic proof of concept
study. It was a four-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
evaluation of 49 patients with panic disorder. The primary aim of the
clinical trial was to assess the safety and efficacy of a single dose of
AZ-002 in treating a pharmacologically-induced panic attack. Differences
versus placebo in the intensity and the duration of a panic attack,
measured at multiple time points during the study using psychological and
physiological measurements, will be used to assess the safety and efficacy
of AZ-002. Alexza projects that the initial results will be reported before
the end of Q2 2008.
About Panic Attacks
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 2.4
million people in the United States suffer from panic disorder, a condition
characterized by the frequent and sudden occurrence of panic attacks. The
physical and emotional symptoms of a panic attack have many variations, but
often begin rapidly, peak within 10 minutes and last about 30 minutes.
There are currently no drugs approved for the acute treatment of panic
attacks. Oral formulations of drugs like alprazolam are approved for
chronic use to treat panic disorder. These drugs are intended to reduce the
frequency of panic attacks, but they do not typically eliminate their
occurrence.
About AZ-002 (Staccato alprazolam)
AZ-002 is the combination of Alexza’s proprietary Staccato system with
alprazolam, a drug belonging to the class of compounds known as
benzodiazepines. In a dose-escalation Phase 1 clinical trial, AZ-002 was
generally well tolerated at all doses tested (0.125 to 2 mg) and there were
no serious adverse events. Across all doses, pharmacokinetic analyses
revealed that peak plasma levels were generally reached within the first
few minutes after dosing. Alexza believes the non-invasive nature and rapid
pharmacokinetic properties resulting from administration via the Staccato
system make AZ-002, if approved for marketing, a viable product candidate
for the acute treatment of panic attacks.
About Symphony Allegro
In December 2006, Alexza entered into a collaboration with Symphony
Capital LLC, a biotech-focused private equity firm. Under the terms of the
agreement, Alexza and Symphony Capital established Symphony Allegro, Inc.,
which is providing funding to Alexza to accelerate clinical and other
related development activities of Staccato alprazolam (AZ-002) and Staccato
loxapine (AZ-004 and AZ-104). Alexza has granted a license to certain
intellectual property rights for the selected product candidates. Through a
purchase option, Alexza retains the exclusive right, but not the
obligation, to acquire 100% of the equity of Symphony Allegro at specified
prices during the term of the agreement. If Alexza chooses not to exercise
the purchase option, Symphony Allegro retains the rights to the product
candidates. The term of the agreement is up to four years.
About Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Alexza Pharmaceuticals is an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company
focused on the development and commercialization of novel, proprietary
products for the treatment of acute and intermittent conditions. The
Company’s technology, the Staccato system, vaporizes unformulated drug to
form a condensation aerosol that allows rapid systemic drug delivery
through deep lung inhalation. The drug is quickly absorbed through the
lungs into the bloodstream, providing speed of therapeutic onset that is
comparable to intravenous administration, but with greater ease, patient
comfort and convenience.
Alexza has six product candidates in clinical development. Alexza’s
lead program, AZ-004 (Staccato loxapine) for the treatment of acute
agitation in schizophrenic or bipolar disorder patients, is in Phase 3
testing. AZ-001 (Staccato prochlorperazine) for the acute treatment of
migraine headaches has completed Phase 2 testing. AZ-104 (Staccato
loxapine) for the acute treatment of migraine headaches and AZ-002
(Staccato alprazolam) for the acute treatment of panic attacks associated
with panic disorder are in Phase 2 testing. Product candidates in Phase 1
testing include AZ-003 (Staccato fentanyl) for the treatment of
breakthrough pain, which is partnered with Endo Pharmaceuticals in North
generic lasix online buy America, and AZ-007 (Staccato zaleplon) for the treatment of insomnia. More
information, including this and past press releases from Alexza is
available online at
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding the
potential timing of the announcement of results of the AZ-002 Phase 2a
clinical trial, potential benefits of AZ-002, future development of the
Company’s product candidates and safety of the Company’s products and
technologies. Any statement describing the Company’s expectations or
beliefs is a forward-looking statement, as defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and should be considered an
at-risk statement. Such statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties, particularly those inherent in the process of developing and
commercializing drugs. The Company’s forward-looking statements also
involve assumptions that, if they prove incorrect, would cause its results
to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. These and other risks concerning Alexza’s
business are described in additional detail in the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and the Company’s other
Periodic and Current Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission including the risks under the headings "Failure or delay in
commencing or completing clinical trials for our product candidates could
harm our business" and "If our product candidates do not meet safety and
efficacy endpoints in clinical trials, they will not receive regulatory
approval, and we will be unable to market them". Forward-looking statements
contained in this announcement are made as of this date and the Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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Patients with accident or trauma related chronic pain often have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. What isn’t clearly known, however, is how PTSD relates to mood disorders and pain severity in chronic pain patients.
University of Michigan researchers examined the contribution of PTSD to the pain experience, functional disability and frequency of depressive symptoms. They studied 241 patients referred to the university hospital’s pain rehabilitation program who reported their pain began after a traumatic injury. The subjects completed the McGill Pain Questionnaire and were administered the Pain Disability Index and the Post-traumatic Chronic Pain Test.
Results showed PTSD and depression are significantly correlated and both disorders are associated with perceived disability attributed to chronic pain. Therefore, in cases of disabling accident-related chronic pain with comorbid depression, symptoms of PTSD may be critical to understanding both disorders. The authors concluded that increased attention to treating PTSD as a primary focus in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic pain and comorbid depression is important when prior treatment efforts for pain and depression have not been successful.
American Pain Society
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United States

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Research into the correlations between allergies and the development of
tumours - and possible benefits for future cancer treatments - has finally
become an established research discipline in its own right. That was the
conclusion at the 2nd International AllergoOncology Symposium, which took
place in Vienna at the weekend. The symposium’s organiser, Prof.
Jensen-Jarolim, was extremely happy with the event, which was attended by
over 90 doctors and scientists from over 10 different countries. This
fascinating field of research, which she has succeeded in establishing with
support from the Austrian Science Fund FWF, has also been honoured with its
first review article in the international journal "Allergy".
Although scientists have been aware of the phenomenon for over 50 years, it
is only over the last three of these that there has been a dedicated field
of research looking into the influence of allergic reactions on the
development of tumours. Known as AllergoOncology, this discipline looks at
the ways that allergic reactions can inhibit the growth of cancer tumours.
This field of research was founded by Prof. Erika Jensen-Jarolim, head of
the Department of Pathophysiology at the Medical University of Vienna. Her
work on establishing AllergoOncology as a distinct field of medical research
began several years ago as part of a project run by the Austrian Science
Fund FWF.
Synergy & Symposium
Last weekend’s International AllergoOncology Symposium in Vienna, the second
to be organised by Prof. Jensen-Jarolim, provided a host of international
immunologists and oncologists with the ideal opportunity to discuss
potential synergies in their work. The broad spread of topics covered at the
event included a presentation by Prof. Chris Parish from the John Curtin
School of Medical Research in Australia. He referred to a project during
which resistance to certain chemically induced tumours was achieved in a
mouse model through the administration of white blood cells, which are also
associated with allergies.
"Even if results from animal models cannot be transferred directly to
humans, projects like Prof. Parish’s still demonstrate the enormous
therapeutic potential of AllergoOncology," comments Prof. Jensen-Jarolim.
generic zithromax online buy Another project presented by Dr. Manuel Penichet, University of California,
which was carried out in cooperation with teams led by Prof. Hannah Gould,
King’s College, London, and Prof. Jensen-Jarolim sought to combat breast
cancer. To do this, the team used a key characteristic of the special
antibodies that are jointly responsible for allergic reactions - IgE
antibodies. These antibodies have a highly reactive and long-lasting effect
against proteins that the body classes as unwanted. This IgE response can
also be accurately directed against protein structures in certain tumour
cells. This characteristic is being used by the team and can even be
enhanced by making specific adjustments to the antibody structure.
However, Prof. Jensen-Jarolim also felt that the potential of
AllergoOncology should be critically scrutinised during the symposium, and a
debate involving a panel of specialists led by the life science journalist
Johanna Award-Geissler provided the ideal solution. Prof. Jensen-Jarolim
explains: "To ensure a field of research survives in the long term, we need
to have people who are willing to be critical and we must put in place
consistent checks. That’s why symposium participants were also presented
with data from a Viennese study of over 22,000 cancer patients, which had
been unable to identify any general link between mortality and the
concentration of IgE in serum, except in the case of lymphoma and leukaemia.
The reasons behind this will need to be analysed further."
A review article that was exclusively unveiled in advance at the weekend
showed just how much progress has already been made towards making
AllergoOncology an established field in international medicine and science.
The article is due to be published officially in the international journal
"Allergy" in a few weeks. From the FWF’s perspective, both the symposium and
the state-of-the-art article demonstrate that providing early support for
newly emerging interdisciplinary fields of research such as AllergoOncology
really does make sense.
The full programme of the 2nd International AllergoOncology Symposium can be
found at:
Medizinische Universit?¤t WienInstitut f??r Pathophysiologie
Austrian Science Fund FWF
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