The FDA has approved adalimumab (Humira, Abbott) to treat adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. This monoclonal antibody helps to reduce excessive levels of human tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which plays a role in abnormal inflammatory and immune responses.

The labeling includes a boxed warning about potential serious adverse events, including tuberculosis, opportunistic infections, and sepsis. canadian pharmacy online

Adalimumab was previously approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spon-dylitis.

For more information on adalimumab, see Meeting Highlights.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has received marketing approval from the FDA for eculizumab (Soliris). This is the first therapy approved for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria  (PNH), a rare, life-threatening blood disorder characterized by chronic red blood cell destruction (hemolysis).

In patients with this acquired genetic blood disorder, the red blood cells are destroyed by complement, a component of the body’s immune system. PNH affects 8,000 to 10,000 people in North America and Europe.

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One in 13 patients presenting to an emergency department (ED) with chest pain or symptoms of thrombosis may be at risk for heparin-induced thrombo-cytopenia (HIT), according to a study from the University of Texas School of Medicine at Houston.

The researchers tested admission samples from 324 ED patients for heparin-PF4 antibodies and, if these were positive, for platelet-activating antibodies. Twenty-four patients (7.4%) were found to have the antibodies.

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The FDA has approved an accelerated dosing schedule for an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine and recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Twinrix, GlaxoSmith-Kline): three doses given within three weeks, followed by a booster dose at 12 months.

As the only hepatitis A and hepatitis B combination vaccine available in the U.S., Twinrix will now be given at zero, seven, and 21 to 30 days, followed by the booster dose at one year.

The vaccine was first approved for adults older than 18 years of age in May 2001 on a dosing schedule of zero, one, and six months. canadian cialis

Hepatitis A, which can be fatal, is spread by close personal contact and by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis B is transmitted through infected blood or body fluids.