Advertisement
AlertSubscribe to Email Alert
American Medical News

American Medical News

 
HEALTH

News in brief - Sept. 4, 2000


Norplant advisory issued - Dietary supplements and ADHD - CPR guidelines revised

Norplant advisory issued

Regular quality assurance testing found that certain batches of the contraceptive Norplant had a lower than expected release rate result for shelf-life stability, leading manufacturer Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals to ask health professionals to discontinue use of kits distributed beginning Oct. 7, 1999. An Aug. 10 advisory letter specified packages with a 2004 expiration date and lot numbers #3990729, #3990775, #3990776, #3993006, #3003127, #3003166, #3003544 and #3003355. "While ... we do not believe there is an incremental risk of pregnancy, for patients in whom the avoidance of pregnancy is of great importance, use of a concurrent nonhormonal method can be considered," the letter said. The company also asked physicians to advise patients of the situation if they received a Norplant implant after Oct. 7, 1999, and the lot number is unknown. All Norplant shipments have been suspended while more information is gathered.

Dietary supplements and ADHD

The Federal Trade Commission charged Natural Organics Inc., in an Aug. 16 complaint, with making unsubstantiated claims that its dietary supplement "Pedi-Active A.D.D." treats attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. This action was the fifth one taken by the agency involving products marketed to treat ADHD. An FTC brochure, "Promotions for Kids' Dietary Supplements Leave Sour Taste," is available online (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/features/kidsupp.htm).

CPR guidelines revised

The American Heart Assn. has announced revisions to guidelines for training laypeople in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and called for increased public access to automatic external defibrillators. With these changes, published in the Aug. 22 Circulation, the group hopes to up the 5% survival rate for cardiac arrests experienced outside hospitals.

Back to top


Copyright 2000 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
 
Advertisement