off label drug use news stories on Newser

Big Pharma Flouts Laws on Off-Label Uses

Sarah Quinn — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:19:14 CST

Back in 2004, a unit of drug giant Pfizer pleaded guilty to marketing a drug, Neurotonin, for unapproved uses, paid $430 million in fines, and promised to clean up its act—which it had no intention of doing. "At the very same time Pfizer was in our office negotiating and...

Bone Drug Reduces Breast Cancer Relapse

Harry Kimball — Sat, 31 May 2008 19:21:18 CDT

A drug designed to protect cancer patients' bones also renders breast cancer relapses less likely, a new study says. Funded in part by the drug's maker, Novartis, researchers found that even two injections of Zometa a year cut tumor recurrence by 35% in more than 1,800 pre-menopausal women.

Viagra Linked to Reduced Fertility

Harry Kimball — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 06:32:28 CST

Popular sexual potency drug Viagra has been linked to sperm effects so dramatic that it could seriously affect male fertility, researchers have discovered. The findings are particularly troubling because in-vitro fertilization clinics often provide Viagra to men to increase sperm production. The new studies show that while Viagra increases sperm...

Migraine Pill Helps Alcoholics Quit: Study

Colleen Barry — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:37:34 CDT

A migraine drug appears to help alcoholics quit drinking without needing detox treatment, researchers have found. In 14 weeks, 15% of participants using the drug Topomax had stopped drinking for seven weeks or more, while others reduced their drinking, according to the study published in the Journal of the American...