Drug Therapy

As we continue to debate and search for a common treatment for these two diseases, physicians should continue to treat these as two different entities as we have in the past.

Interstitial cystitis is not an uncommon condition, yet researchers continue in their struggle to define it and reach consensus on appropriate diagnostic criteria. In part one of this two-part Urology Times interview, Christopher K. Payne, MD, discusses the current controversy over the definition of IC and his approach to diagnosis.

Interstitial cystitis is not an uncommon condition, yet researchers continue in their struggle to define it and reach consensus on appropriate diagnostic criteria. In part one of this two-part Urology Times interview, Christopher K. Payne, MD, discusses the current controversy over the definition of IC and his approach to diagnosis.

The FDA has approved the anticholinergic agent solifenacin succinate (Vesicare) for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence.

Combination therapy with extended-release tolterodine tartrate (Detrol LA) and doxazosin mesylate (Cardura) is twice as effective as doxazosin alone in relieving overactive bladder symptoms in men with both bladder obstruction and overactive bladder symptoms, according to a recent study in the British Journal of Urology (2004; 94:817-20).

Topical alprostadil (Alista) appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of female sexual arousal disorder in premenopausal women, according to a phase II clinical study presented at the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health annual meeting.

The FDA has issued a consumer alert for and has stopped the importation of the dietary supplements Actra-Rx and Yilishen, because they contain prescription-strength quantities of sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra.

University of Michigan scientists have developed a bioartificial kidney that appears to improve kidney function in people with acute renal failure.

San Diego-Treatment with the dual neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor duloxetine (Yentreve) results in durable improvement in symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, according to a study of open-label transition from placebo to active therapy.

San Diego-Two anticholinergic drugs commonly used in the treatment of overactive bladder have similarly low incidences of adverse events affecting the central nervous system, according to an analysis of data from a large randomized trial of the agents.

Whistler, British Columbia, Canada-In separate studies, Canadian researchers have found that two newer phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors improve erectile function in diabetic men, a population in which erectile dysfunction can be difficult to treat.

New York-Approximately 50% of men who undergo bilateral nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy may be expected to achieve normal erectile function, but that recovery may take up to 4 years, according to a study conducted by urologists at Me-morial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York.

FDA approves new 12-month LHRH implant for prostate Ca

San Diego-Treatment with the dual neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor duloxetine (Yentreve) results in durable improvement in symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, according to a study of open-label transition from placebo to active therapy.

New York--Men with prostate cancer are being urged to seek the advice of a medical oncologist in a new educational campaign launched by the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

An investigational testosterone transdermal patch (Intrinsa) increases sexual activity and desire and decreases personal distress in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, according to study results presented at the North American Menopause Society annual meeting.

U.S. Pharmacopeia, hired by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to determine drug coverage, recommended the addition of erectile dysfunction drugs for possible Medicare coverage in 2006.

The FDA approved the marketing of a histrelin implant (Vantas) for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Whistler, British Columbia, Canada--Radiofrequency ablation of small renal tumors appears to be an effective nephron-sparing approach for treating localized kidney cancer in a very select group of patients using imperative indications, according to a short-term study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

The infection rate was cut in half for the men with the InhibiZone antibiotic covering (1.36% vs. 2.41% in those receiving the untreated prosthesis).

Paris--A novel adjustable device for intrinsic sphincteric deficiency shows success in women with stress unitary incontinence after other surgeries have failed, according to findings from an international, multicenter study.

Nashville, TN--As institutions accrue more experience with robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, they are beginning to perform outcomes analyses to evaluate the pros and cons of the procedure compared with traditional open retropubic radical prostatectomy.

Phildadelphia--Photoselective vaporization of the prostate using a new higher-power potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser is a safe and efficacious treatment for BPH, according to a study presented at the AUA annual meeting.

San Diego-A newer bulking agent consisting of synthetic calcium hydroxylapatite compares favorably with traditional glutaraldehyde cross-linked bovine collagen as a treatment for type III stress urinary incontinence or intrinsic sphincteric deficiency, according to an interim analysis of data from an ongoing randomized trial of the two substances.

Computer labels withstandchemicals, extreme temps

Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Debiopharm S.A. have agreed to market triptorelin pamoate (Trelstar Depot, 3.75 mg, and Trelstar LA, 11.25 mg) within the United States and Canada.

Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc. has introduced a money-back guarantee program for BPH patients not satisfied after taking extended-release alfuzosin hydrochloride (Uroxatral) as directed by their physician.

Revisions have been made to the precautions and adverse reactions sections of the label for the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid (Zometa).

The National Cancer Institute began a 3-year study to validate a test that detects bladder cancer recurrence.

Chemotherapy regimens using docetaxel (Taxotere) significantly reduced the risk of death by 24% and 20% in men with hormone-refractory prostate cancer, according to the results of two separate phase III studies published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine (2004; 351:1502-12 and 1513-20).