In response to the ongoing leucovorin shortage crisis, Fight Colorectal Cancer has created a Frequently Asked Questions document for patients.

The Fight CRC Answer Line (1-877-427-2111) has fielded over 100 calls from patients who were told they could not receive leucovorin due to a manufacturing shortage in the United States. Many patients, worried and confused, have had trouble determining their options if faced with this issue.

The FAQ addresses issues such as “What choices do I have if my doctor doesn’t have leucovorin?” and “Why is there a leucovorin shortage?”. It also directs patients to the Fight CRC online action center, where they can weigh in on the issue with their Members of Congress.

View and download the FAQ.

New labels for Extra Strength Tylenol® will reduce the maximum daily dose from 8 pills (4000 mg) to 6 pills (3000 mg).

The interval for taking the medicine will also change from 2 pills every 4 to 6 hours to 2 pills every 6 hours.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the makers Tylenol of announced the change to help prevent overdoses of acetaminophen.

Although acetaminophen is safe when used as directed, it is part of over 600 over-the-counter and prescribed medicines.  Maximum doses can be exceeded when people take several different medications at the same time, and too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage. Read the rest of this entry »

The X-PECT phase III clinical trial has finished recruiting over 430 patients, evaluating perifosine treatment for patients with advanced colorectal cancer who have exhausted standard treatments.

The trial compares the effectiveness of adding perifosine to Xeloda® (capecitabine).

Led by Johanna Bendell, M.D., from the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville, TN, the trial is being conducted at 65 sites in the United States. Read the rest of this entry »

The FDA issued a shortage update for leucovorin on July 21, 2011.

While leucovorin remains in shortage from all three US manufacturers, the FDA is temporarily allowing Teva Pharmaceuticals to import calcium folinate solution for injection from Europe. The imported solution is the same strength as  powdered leucovorin calcium for injection once water is added to the US product.

In a Dear Healthcare Professional letter, Teva provides a chart comparing the two products and tells doctors and pharmacists that currently Teva is the only organization with regulatory discretion to import and distribute calcium folinate solution. Read the rest of this entry »

A phase II clinical trial in Japan showed improved survival time for TAS-102 when compared to a placebo in patients whose cancer had progressed on standard treatments.

Median survival was 9 months for patients who received oral TAS-102 compared to 6.6 months on placebo.

Taiho Pharmaceutical says that they are proceeding with a larger Phase III trial. Read the rest of this entry »