Guest guest Posted November 29, 2002 Report Share Posted November 29, 2002 1st and last articles are very interesting but I think most of us could have told them this a while back - their drugs are causing a lot more problems than they are curing. marianne > Daily News from Healthypages > 29 November 2002 > _______________________________ > > Warning over high-dose inhaled steroids > > High levels of an inhaled drug used to treat asthma have been linked to > adrenal gland malfunction in children, according to the results of a UK > survey. > > Researchers from several hospitals across the UK found that high doses of > the inhaled corticosteroid fluticasone was associated with adrenal gland > malfunction resulting in coma and convulsions, particularly among children. > > > The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys and produce hormones > that help regulate heartbeat, blood pressure and other vital functions. > > The researchers analysed more than 700 returned questionnaires that were > sent to almost 3,000 consultant paediatricians and adult endocrinologists > across the UK. > > The team found that 28 children and five adults had suffered “adrenal crisis > †associated with high levels of inhaled steroids prescribed for asthma. > > Of the children, 23 aged between 3 and 10 developed a sudden drop in blood > sugar levels, known as hyperglycaemia, which led to decreased > consciousness, coma and convulsions, and resulted in one death. The > remaining children and adults became lethargic, dizzy and/or nauseous. > > However, the researchers warn that the results may be an underestimate of > the true picture because of the low response rate to the questionnaire. > > Fluticasone, which is prescribed as either Flixotide® or Seretide®, > accounts for the smallest proportion of inhaled steroids prescribed for > asthma in the UK. Although guidelines recommend daily doses of up to > 1,000mg for children aged five and older with severe asthma, the drug is > only licensed for use in daily doses of up to 400mg in children. > > Daily doses of between 500mg and 2,000mg were prescribed to all the > patients in the study who experienced adrenal malfunction. > > In an accompanying editorial to the report, published in the Archives of > Disease in Childhood, Professor George Russell from the Royal Aberdeen > Children’s hospital said that, although manufactures have never advocated > the use of such high doses of inhaled corticosteroid therapy (ICT), “most > clinicians have been complacent about the use of ICTâ€. > > But the authors of the report say it may be dangerous to suddenly stop > taking fluticasone and add there is no evidence to suggest the dose > recommended by the manufacturers is harmful. > > However, they say their findings suggest the maximum manufacturers’ > recommended dose should not be exceeded unless treatment is supervised by > an expert in problematic asthma. > > © HMG Worldwide 2002 > > > ******************************* > > Other stories > > Warning for pregnant women with diabetes > Poor diabetes management in early pregnancy can lead to spontaneous > abortion and serious birth defects, according to UK researchers, > highlighting the importance of diabetes care during pregnancy. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5327 > > Major NHS pay reforms agreed > More than 1 million NHS staff are to get a 10 per cent basic pay increase > over the next three years in the biggest shake-up of the health service pay > system to date. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5328 > > New laser glue offers hope for skin graft patients > A glue which can be used as an alternative to stitches and staples in skin > graft surgery could prevent scarring and swelling among patients undergoing > the operation, a new US report suggests. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5329 > > Significant rise in mental health detentions > Official figures show that the number of people compulsorily detained in > mental health institutions has increased dramatically over the last 10 > years, sparking fears that proposed legal changes could boost this number > further. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5330 > > “NHS is better up North than down South†> Independent health inspectors have revealed a distinct north/south divide > in patient care in England, with London and the South coming second to the > North and the Midlands. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5331 > > Drug side effects put children at risk > The number of children dying from the side effects of prescription medicine > has risen over the last decade, according to UK research. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5332 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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