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The recent publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) and the continuing introduction of new psychoactive drugs create challenges for updated diagnostic and therapeutic choices for primary care patients.
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Bioprosthetic aorta valves are recommended for those > 70 years of age because of their reduced durability compared to mechanical valves and mechanical prostheses, which are recommended for those < 60 years because bioprosthetic valves deteriorate more rapidly in younger individuals.
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Due to the short half-life and rapid onset of action of the new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), peri-procedural anticoagulant free time intervals should be shorter than with warfarin. Thus, there is uncertainty about the use of heparin bridging.
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Although not a life-threatening condition, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is one of the most annoying and troublesome problems that plagues aging males.
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Because of its strong efficacy, long-term durability, and predictability when titrated with algorithms employed in clinical trials, basal insulin remains a mainstay of treatment for type 2 diabetes patients who are not able to attain or maintain glycemic control with oral agents alone. Because diabetes is a progressive disorder, even patients who are initially well-controlled on basal insulin will likely require “fine tuning” of their diabetes regimen, usually with agents that preferentially affect postprandial glucose levels.
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Hydrocodone is formulated to resist crushing, breaking, and dissolution and still retain some extended-release properties.
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FDA warnings for existing drugs dominate pharmaceutical news this month. These warnings represent a new push by the FDA to regulate existing drugs for safety after they have been approved for marketing. It also comes at a time when the FDA is cleaning up its advisory committee processes, especially with regard to limiting potential conflict of interest by advisory committee members.