Drug News

PAINKILLERS - CANADA
U.S. officials push to beef up painkiller warnings - The Star
Federal health officials on Tuesday proposed sterner warning labels for acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen, again cautioning millions of Americans who take the nonprescription pain relievers regularly of potentially serious side effects.

CANNABIS - CANADA
Drug driving doubled since 1989 - Edmonton Sun
A study coming on the heels of federal efforts to discourage drug-impaired drivers indicates driving under the influence of marijuana and hashish has more than doubled since 1989. The survey by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse says young males are driving under the influence of cannabis as often as, or more often, than they drive under the influence of alcohol.

ALCOHOL – USA
Too Much Christmas Cheer? A Number Of Tips On Staying In Control Over The Festive Season - Medical News Today
Christmas is a time when the drinks flow freely- there are more parties than usual and the temptation is to overindulge a little. After all, there are always New Year’s resolutions!

PRESCRIPTION – USA
FDA Panel Recommends Warning For Adult Antidepressant Suicide Risk - Medical News Today
An FDA advisory panel on Wednesday voted 6-2 in favor of updating black box warnings on antidepressants to state that there is an increased suicide risk for young adults up to age 25, the New York Times reports (Carey, New York Times, 12/13).

ALCOHOL – CANADA
Blood alcohol levels have paradoxical effect on brain injuries
A study led by trauma surgeon Dr. Homer Tien out of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, shows that alcohol has a paradoxical effect on mortality of patients admitted to hospital with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

ALCOHOL - UK
Alcohol Abuse ‘Severely Impairs the Brain’
Excessive alcohol consumption over an extended period of time can have a drastic impact upon the brain, new research suggests. Scientists in Germany, Britain, Switzerland and Italy examined 15 alcoholic men and women over a period of 38 days after they stopped drinking and the changes observed in their brains were remarkable.