Finasteride (Proscar& Propecia)

Health Canada InfoWatch: New information regarding the risk of muscle-related disorders has been added to the Post-Market Adverse Drug Reactions and Consumer Information sections of the Canadian product monographs for Proscar and Propecia. Key messages for healthcare professionals: Rare cases of muscle-related disorders, such as rhabdomyolysis, myopathy, myalgia, myasthenia, and creatine kinase elevation, have been reported in patients treated with finasteride. In some cases, these disorders were found to be reversible with discontinuation of finasteride therapy.  

Read More

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 the World Health Organization, is still not licensed but proved effective during limited trials in West Africa in the biggest ever outbreak of Ebola, which killed 11,300 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone from 2014-2016. Health workers have recorded two confirmed cases, 22 probable...

Read More

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 could not stop myself in sharing this with all. I was at the reception of the clinic today. Rebecca, a pretty, smart and cute girl, came forward and said, “ Doctor, I have a question. Are you the only doctor working in this clinic?” (She had...

Read More

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. Report any possible symptoms to Howden Medical Clinic.

Read More

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 our office or attend in person to book.  

Read More
free diabetes management service at howden medical pharmacy in brampton

Diabetes Signs

There are many signs and symptoms that can indicate diabetes. Signs and symptoms can include the following: Unusual thirst Frequent urination Weight change (gain or loss) Extreme fatigue or lack of energy Blurred vision Frequent or recurring infections Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet Trouble getting or maintaining an erection Source: http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/signs-and-symptoms   

Read More

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 of antibody response. This provides protection to infants until they receive their whooping cough vaccine at two months age. Howden Medical Clinic offers vaccinations for all clients.

Read More

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.

Read More

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 us or call us for further info.

Read More

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 joint pain. Ontario Map: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/eRepository/Lyme_disease_risk_areas_map.pdf Please contact our Clinic as soon as you are exposed to a tick bite.    

Read More

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 ZVL vaccine in 2006 for prevention of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). However, it does not prevent all HZ, especially in elderly patients, and its efficacy wanes over time. HZ/su is a new adjuvanted HZ subunit vaccine that was developed to help address these issues. Administered as...

Read More

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 are taking higher-than-recommended doses of loperamide to treat symptoms of opioid withdrawal or to achieve euphoric effects of opioid use. The maximum approved daily dose for adults is 8 mg/day for OTC use and 16 mg/day for prescription use. Loperamide is safe at these approved...

Read More

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” on labels of these medicines. The FDA advises healthcare professionals to reassure parents that cough due to a cold or upper respiratory tract infection is self-limited and generally does not need to be treated. For children in whom cough treatment is necessary, alternative medicines are...

Read More

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 mg) products, which remain available.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More