Merck Insomnia Drug Side Effects Look to be Dangerous
FDA has safety concerns with Merck insomnia drug
BY MATTHEW PERRONE | AP HEALTH WRITER
WASHINGTON — Federal health regulators say an experimental insomnia drug from Merck can help patients fall asleep, but it also carries worrisome side effects, including daytime drowsiness and suicidal thinking.
The Food and Drug Administration on Monday released its review of the company’s sleep aid, suvorexant, ahead of a public meeting on Wednesday. The pill works by temporarily blocking chemical messengers that keep people awake.
The FDA said company trials show suvorexant is better than placebo at helping people fall asleep and stay asleep. And regulators said the drug’s effectiveness was consistent across several doses tested by Merck & Co. Inc.
But patients taking the higher doses of the drug showed an eight-fold increase in daytime drowsiness, which sometimes interfered with driving the next morning. Patients taking 20 milligrams and 40 milligrams of suvorexant had trouble staying in their driving lanes when tested by company researchers. FDA notes that four women actually had to stop the driving test due to excessive sleepiness.
Read more via WASHINGTON: FDA has safety concerns with Merck insomnia drug – Business Breaking News – MiamiHerald.com.
TEN RULES TO PROTECT YOUR FINGERS
- Beware of pinch points. Train yourself to recognize pinch pints and avoid placing your hands and fingers in such hazardous spots.
- Expect the expected. When using wrenches and other hand tools, with which you expect resistance, anticipate that the tool might slip or the object to which pressure is being applied may suddenly give way.
- Inspect tools. Check to see if they are in good condition and safe to use.
- Do not work on moving equipment. If the equipment can be stopped, do so. Working on moving equipment presents a real threat to hands and fingers.
- Replace machine guards following repairs that require removal of guards. The presence of machine guards is an important factor in keeping hands and fingers out of dangerous areas.
- Be mindful of equipment that starts automatically. Never work on such equipment without first eliminating the possibility of automatic startup.
- Deenergize electrical equipment prior to working on it. Flash burns caused by electrical equipment shorting out is a threat to hands and fingers when work around such equipment is being performed.
- Be mindful when closing doors. Keep hands and fingers clear. Also, watch for children’s fingers in the family car.
- Avoid touching lines or equipment that is hot. Every hot line or hot piece of equipment is a potential source of painful injury to any hand or finger that comes in contact with it.
- If the work being performed requires gloves, use them. Gloves offer protection from sharp objects, wood and metal splinters, acids, electrical burns, chemicals, and many other sources of injury.
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Addiction to Pain Medication Can Equal Jail Time!
Jail Time for Man who Faked Work Injuries to Get Drugs
A drug seeker thought he’d come up with the perfect plan to feed his addiction by claiming he was hurt on the job.May 14, 2013 Sandy Smith from EHS Today
Jose Ramon Amaya-Hernandez thought he found the perfect way to get prescription narcotics – go to a hospital claiming to be in pain due to a work-related injury. However, an investigation by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) uncovered the scam.
Amaya-Hernandez recently pleaded guilty to three counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and was sentenced to 45 days in jail on each count to run concurrently. He also must pay fines as well as a yet to be determined amount of restitution to the hospitals he defrauded.
The investigation found that Amaya-Hernandez filed a total of 53 claims for injuries over a 3-year period. The claims were filed at a dozen different Seattle area hospitals and were subsequently denied by L&I because there were no records showing that the man ever worked for any of the employers he listed on the claims. However, the hospitals provided him with narcotic pain medications for the treatment of his claimed injuries.
Although Amaya-Hernandez was using several aliases, L&I investigators became suspicious and used a cross match through the Department of Licensing to determine his actual identity and build their case.
via Jail Time for Man who Faked Work Injuries to Get Drugs | Safety content from EHS Today.
Safety Tips for Working Near Overhead Power Lines
National Electrical Safety Month: Six Safety Tips for Working Near Overhead Power Lines
In honor of National Electrical Safety Month this May, spark a safety-conscious conversation by sharing these six tips for working near overhead power lines.
May 13, 2013Laura Walter
Exercise and Benefits to Manage Diabetes
10 Ways to Move More With Diabetes
Working out at the gym is good for maintaining fitness and managing diabetes, but moving more throughout your day counts, too. Try these 10 tips to incorporate be more physical active with diabetes.
via 10 Ways to Move More With Diabetes – Diabetes Treatment and Management Guide – Everyday Health.
