Updates ·
Health notices · Thursday 1 October
3 notices from the agencies today, in plain words, each with the original linked.
FDA approves Inspra (eplerenone) for heart failure and hypertension
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) · Approval
If you take Inspra (eplerenone), it is meant to treat adults with high blood pressure and to improve outcomes in people with stable symptomatic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction after an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).
“Reduced ejection fraction” means your heart pumps out less blood than expected. The notice says it can improve survival in eligible heart failure patients and lower blood pressure to reduce risk of stroke and heart attack.
If you have either condition, ask your clinician whether Inspra fits your situation and what monitoring may be needed based on your health history.
FDA approved lidocaine for certain mouth and throat numbing uses
FDA · Approval
If you have irritated or inflamed lining in your mouth or throat, lidocaine can be used to produce topical anesthesia, meaning it numbs the area at the surface.
It may also be used to reduce gagging during taking X-ray pictures and dental impressions.
FDA approval for buprenorphine hydrochloride sublingual tablets
FDA · Approval
If you have opioid dependence, the FDA has approved buprenorphine hydrochloride sublingual tablets as a treatment option. It is meant for use as part of a complete treatment plan.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. This means it works on opioid receptors in a limited way, and it may be preferred for induction, according to the approved label.
The label says to use it alongside counseling and psychosocial support, as part of the overall care plan.
What to do
- Use it as part of a complete treatment plan that includes counseling and psychosocial support.