Better Muscle Control, Worse Side Effects In Parkinson's Drugs Tradeoff

Compared to older drugs for Parkinson disease, a newer class of medications called dopamine agonists might be better at preventing some of the disabling muscle control problems associated with the disease and its treatment, a new review of recent studies concludes.

Patients Are Encouraged To Consult Healthcare Professionals Before Discontinuing Medications

Patients concerned about recent news regarding the safety and efficacy of medications should seek guidance from their pharmacist, physician or other healthcare professional before they stop taking their medications. The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) strongly encourages patients to stay informed about their medications and ask their pharmacist or prescriber about any questions or concerns they may have about their medications.

Patients Often Don't Take What The Doctor Ordered

Patients often do not take the medicines their doctors prescribe, and a new review of existing research suggests that there is no proven way to get them to follow directions for long periods."Simple things don't work and nothing works very well, " said review lead author Dr.

Drug-Users Who Are Young And Homeless Are More Likely To Exit Treatment Early

Almost a quarter of the most problematic drug-users in some areas exit drug treatment programmes before they've even completed 30 days reports a new study published in BioMed Central's open access Harm Reduction Journal. It found that problem drug-users who were younger, homeless or not currently injecting are significantly more likely to exit early, possibly because drug services are off-putting and not suited to their needs.

Studies Look At Blacks' Noncompliance With Weekly Dialysis Treatment; Provider, Patient Satisfaction With Telephone Interpretation Services

"Dialysis 'No-Shows' on Saturdays: Implications of the Weekly Hemodialysis Schedules on Nonadherence and Outcomes, " (.

Ensuring Anti-HIV Drugs Are Taken In Africa

HIV-infected patients in the African country of Tanzania were more likely to stop taking their medications and to fail treatment if they had to pay for the drugs themselves.According the results of a new study conducted by Tanzanian physicians and Duke University Medical Center researchers, HIV-infected patients who openly discussed their illness were also more likely to fare better.

HIV Treatment Discontinued By Many In Africa

More than one-third of patients receiving HIV medication in Africa die or discontinue their treatment within two years, according to a study published in PLoS Medicine.Boston University researcher Sydney Rosen and colleagues identified and analyzed scientific reports over the past 7 years that gave details on adult patients remaining on antiviral treatment in 13 sub-Saharan African countries.

Risk Of Prostate Cancer Return Greatly Increased When Treatment Appointments Missed

Men with "low risk" prostate cancer who miss more than two radiation treatments in an eight week treatment face an increased chance of their cancer recurring. That is the conclusion of a new study examining more than 15 years of data and nearly 1, 800 patients treated at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

Adherence To Antiretroviral Treatment Linked To Health Literacy, Study Finds

HIV-positive people with low health-literacy levels are less likely to understand their medication instructions and, therefore, are less compliant with their antiretroviral treatment regimens, according to a study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Reuters Health reports.

Elderly Black Women More Likely To Maintain Hypertension Treatment If They Incorporate Spirituality, Study Finds

Elderly black women who use spirituality might be more successful adhering to a hypertension regimen, according to a study presented on Wednesday at an annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Fla., HealthDay/U.S.