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Lazanda approved as breakthrough pain treatment
BEDMINSTER, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Archimedes Pharma for treating breakthrough pain in cancer patients, Archimedes said last week.
Archimedes announced the approval of Lazanda (fentanyl) nasal spray for cancer patients who have acquired a tolerance to opioid drugs. Breakthrough pain is an intense, sudden pain that is unpredictable and often debilitating and occurs despite otherwise appropriate pain therapy.
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Pfizer stands by Chantix
NEW YORK — Pfizer defended a drug used for smoking cessation Monday following reports of a Canadian study that found it raised the risk of heart problems.
The 8,216-patient study of Chantix (varenicline), published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that of the 4,908 patients who received Chantix, 52 had an increased risk of serious heart problems, with similar risks appearing in 27-of-the-3,308 patients who took placebo.