Tag Archives: drug

In Treating Crohn’s Disease, Earlier is Better

Patients receiving medical therapies when they have more complicated stages of Crohn’s disease (CD) are more likely to require surgery, researchers report in the March issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The disease is most-effectively treated by drugs at its … Continue reading

Posted in GI Tract | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How Does an Antibiotic Reduce Symptoms of IBS?

Rifaximin alters the intestinal microbiota to prevent inflammation and visceral hyperalgesia in stressed rats, according to the February issue of Gastroenterology. These findings could explain the ability of this antibiotic to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in patients. … Continue reading

Posted in GI Tract | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Are IBD Drugs Safe During Pregnancy?

Researchers find no evidence that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during pregnancy, or medical treatment for IBD during pregnancy, increases risk for congenital abnormalities in children. The findings, based on a large database analysis, are published in the January issue of Gastroenterology. … Continue reading

Posted in GI Tract, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A New Drug for Diabetes and Fatty Liver Disease?

Obeticholic acid (OCA)—an agonist of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR)— increases insulin sensitivity and reduces markers of liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to a study published in … Continue reading

Posted in GI Tract, Liver/Biliary, Pancreas, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Are Patients Receiving the Latest Anti-HCV Drugs?

Less than 20% of patients infected with the most common Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype receive the latest drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to the August issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. This low … Continue reading

Posted in Liver/Biliary, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Long-Term Effects of Teduglutide for Short-Bowel Syndrome

The glucagon-like peptide (GLP) teduglutide is effective for long-term treatment of patients with short-bowel syndrome intestinal failure, according to the July issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Short-bowel syndrome is a relatively rare condition that results from massive small bowel … Continue reading

Posted in GI Tract, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can We Increase the Sensitivity of Pancreatic Cancer Cells to Chemotherapeutics?

Researchers have identified small molecules that increase the ability of chemotherapeutic agents to kill pancreatic cancer cells and slow tumor growth in mice, according to the February issue of Gastroenterology. One way that chemotherapeutics such gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, and platinum-based compounds … Continue reading

Posted in Cancer, Pancreas, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Does a Response to Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy Indicate GERD?

Just because a patient’s upper gastrointestinal symptoms are alleviated by proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) doesn’t necessarily mean that they have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to the December issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The efficacy of PPI therapy often … Continue reading

Posted in GI Tract, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 301 Comments

Many Patients Without GERD Continue to Take PPIs

More than 42% of patients with negative results from pH monitoring studies continue proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, despite evidence that they do not have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to the June issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. PPI … Continue reading

Posted in GI Tract, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Is Medicine or Surgery the Best Treatment for Crohn’s Disease?

For patients with Crohn’s disease and intra-abdominal abscesses, nonsurgical and surgical management strategies result in similar rates of abscess recurrence and complications, according to the April issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Crohn’s disease can progress from inflammation and ulceration … Continue reading

Posted in GI Tract, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments