Monday, October 09, 2006

News briefs

Coumadin Black Box: Coumadin is a blood thinner that is used in a variety of health problems including blood clot prevention. Yes, you have heard right, technically, it is rat poison. Last week, the company that makes name brand coumadin issued a "black box" warning about "potential fatal risk of bleeding" in patients -- article from NewYorkBusiness.Com.

For those that may not know, some people consider the "black box" warning the highest warning that the US FDA issues to warn doctors and patients of potential medication problems.

Now, this is not anything mysterious. Everyone has known that coumadin has this potential for years. This is not another "FDA screwup." Here's the rub. Either take the coumadin and face potential side effects like bleeding. Or, don't take the blood thinner, and, for those that need coumadin, run the risk of blood clots which lead to things like stroke. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I do know that our phones here at the office have been ringing off the hook today with questions.

Total Lettuce Recall: The E.coli saga is continuing. The Mercury News is reporting today that a California company is voluntarily recalling some of its crops of lettuce after finding E.coli in a sample of irrigation water. First spinach, then beef, and now lettuce. As long as they don't recall Diet Coke and donuts, I think I'll be fine. We'll see what gets recalled next.

Cleveland doctor arrested in Cyprus: Yazeed Essa was arrested over the weekend as he attempted to clear customs is Cyprus. (CNN.Com)
Prosecutors have said they believe Essa, an emergency room doctor, was having an affair with a nurse and wanted to be free of his 38-year-old wife. Prosecutors characterized the killing as a "divorce substitute."
What's going on the world today? If you don't like your spouse, then just divorce her/him. What's up with murder (er, I have to say alleged murder)? If guilty, I hope this guy gets put away for a long time.

7 comments:

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

busy day doc? lots of posts, thanks. where is everyone else today? bee

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...Coumadin causes bleeding.

That reminds me of my patient who complained about how tired the Ambien was making them.

Stop the presses. Drugs can be dangerous. No wonder you have to have 7+ years extra education to prescribe them (counting residency).

Another feather in the cap for the FDA.

ANNA-LYS said...

Have to agree upon previous "speakers" comment upon your sidebar pictures.
But, not becouse they are famous TV-stars ... ;-)

Anonymous said...

Coumadin ... does what it's supposed to do? Thins the blood? *blink* I bet a lot of people were shocked to hear this!

It's a bit like putting "Caution: may cause drowsiness" on a bottle of sleeping pills ...

About the pics in the sidebar ... you know what? I'd rather see yours!

*POKE!* >;o)

Dr. Deb said...

Oh
My
Goodness.

And it's almost oxymoronic.

Fat Doctor said...

I think they should black box label cabbage, because a friend of mine on Coumadin for a clotting disorder once went on the cabbage soup diet and all that vitamin K outweighed all that Coumadin and she ended up with a big fat DVT. Just sayin'.

Anonymous said...

Now, did Dr. Essa use coumadin or lettuce in his "divorce?"