Sanofi-aventis Canada announced in June, 2018 that it will immediately stop the distribution of Amaryl (Glimipiride) 1,2 and 4mg tabs in Canada. Glimepiride (original trade name Amaryl) is an orally available medium-to-long-acting Sulfonylurea antidiabetic drug.
Author: Amir Khakshaee (Amir Khakshaee)
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Congo Receives First Doses of Ebola Vaccine Amid Outbreak
KINSHASA (Reuters) – The first batch of 4,000 experimental Ebola vaccines to combat an outbreak suspected to have killed 20 people arrived in Congo‘s capital Kinshasa on Wednesday. That is the first time the vaccine would come into use since it was developed two years ago. The vaccine, developed by Merck and sent from Europe by...
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Extraordinary!
That’s what our physician at the clinic asked us to write on the website: I don’t usually share my stories happening daily but this is what I heard today from a 5 year old girl who understood me more than anyone else and more importantly she could verbalize it in the cutest way possible; I...
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2018 Aerial Spray Program in Peel Region
The City of Mississauga will be conducting an aerial spray treatment to prevent tree defoliation by gypsy moth caterpillars and fall cankerworms. Health Impacts only in sensitive persons: skin rashes, upper respiratory tract irritation, NO reports of cancer or groundwater contamination. Cautions: Bring outdoor items inside, Remain indoors, Wash outdoor items, Leave air conditioners closed....
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Allergy Testing
Allergy Season is coming up. Avoid getting symptoms like sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, itchy and runny eyes, and increased allergic asthma symptoms. Book your Allergy Testing for environmental allergies at our Clinic. It is OHIP-covered and performed by appointments only. No needles will be used and it can be done for kids and adults. Please call...
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Whooping cough Vaccination in Pregnancy
NACI has just recently recommended Tdap ( Adacel or Boostrix) vaccine in every pregnancy between 27-32 weeks of gestation irrespective of previous immunization history due to rapid waning of pertussis maternal antibodies. It can be also administered as early as 13 weeks gestation up to time of delivery. It takes 4 weeks for the peak...
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Xanthelasma: -Comes from Greek: xanthos (yellow) and elasma (beaten metal plate). -Was described by Addison and Gall in 1851. -Is most often located around the eyes, mostly in the inner canthus. -It is a marker of elevated lipids 50% of the time. -Treatment includes surgical excision, laser therapy, chemical cautherization, electrodessication and cryotherapy.
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Confirmed Measles Case in Peel Region
In February 2018, Public Health has been notified of a confirmed case of measles in a young adult with a recent travel history to a measles-endemic country. Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease presenting with fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and rash. Howden Medical Clinic provides all necessary vaccines to all Brampton residents. Please visit...
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Lyme Disease-Positive Ticks in Peel
Blacklegged ticks are the only ticks carrying Lyme disease bacteria so-called ‘Borrelia burgdorferi’ in Ontario. They are mostly active in early spring (April) and fall (October). Lyme is transmitted by both adult and immature ticks, nymphs. The characteristic rash of Lyme disease is called “erythema migrans” greater than 5cm with low-grade fever, fatigue, headache and...
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Newer Shingles Vaccine
A new herpes zoster (HZ) subunit vaccine (HZ/su) appears to be more effective especially among elderly and longer duration of protection and less costly than the currently used live attenuated HZ vaccine (ZVL) at all ages, a new study published online January 2 in JAMA Internal Medicine shows. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the...
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Misuse and Abuse of Antidiarrheal Loperamide- January 2018
FDA announced new action to combat the growing problem of abuse and misuse of the opioid-based antidiarrheal medication loperamide (Imodium). In 2016, the FDA warned about life-threatening cardiac events, including QT interval prolongation, torsades de pointes or other ventricular arrhythmias, syncope, and cardiac arrest, with loperamide misuse and abuse. The FDA notes that some individuals...
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Opioid Cough Medicines under 18 Years Old
The FDA will require label changes that limit the use of prescription opioid cough and cold medicines containing codeine or hydrocodone to adults aged 18 years and older. In addition, the agency will require added safety information highlighting the risks of misuse, abuse, addiction, overdose, death, and slowed or difficult breathing to the “boxed warning”...
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Shortage of EpiPen (0.3 mg) auto-injector in Canada
Pfizer Canada has advised Health Canada that there is currently a shortage of EpiPen auto-injectors in the 0.3 mg format (DIN 00509558). The shortage is reported to be due to a manufacturing disruption and is currently anticipated to be resolved by March 2, 2018. According to Pfizer, the shortage does not impact EpiPen Jr (0.15...
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Flu on the Rise
There is high respiratory illness activity in Peel. To date, Region of Peel-Public Health has received 466 reports of laboratory-confirmed influenza. Majority of cases remain to be Influenza A(H3N2). Protect yourself with Flu Vaccine at our Clinic.
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JAMA: Diagnosis and First-Line Treatment of Chronic Sinusitis
Topical intra-nasal steroid therapy continues to be under-utilized for patients with chronic rhino-sinusitis. Notice: Most cases of acute sinusitis are treated with intra-nasal steroids only with no requirement for antibiotics.
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LDL&Cardiovascular Risk
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), even at levels now considered normal, is independently associated with early atherosclerosis in middle-aged patients without conventional cardiovascular risk factors.
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OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare
OHIP+ will provide drug coverage for children and youth who are covered by OHIP and aged 24 and under. OHIP+ begins January 1, 2018. http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/drugs/ohipplus/
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Ear Infection
Despite observed increased β-lactamase-producing Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) carriage in the nasopharynx, amoxicillin remains the treatment of choice for young children with acute otitis media.
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Flu Activity
Influenza activity continues to increase across Canada. The majority continues to be A(H3N2). In keeping with the early influenza activity this season, several indicators of influenza activity are above the expected levels for this time of year. The majority of hospitalizations and deaths have been among adults 65 years of age and older. Howden Medical...
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Peel Region Residents
Low risk of infection including hepatitis B and C, HIV in 1000 of Peel Residents who received treatment at a surgical facility in Burlington called Ontario Institute of Facial Surgery. Contact your health care provider to be tested if you have been treated in this facility.