Latest Anesthetic Stories

A commonly used anesthetic can produce changes associated with Alzheimer's disease in the brains of living mammals, U.S. researchers said. Massachusetts General Hospital investigators in Boston show how administration of the gas isoflurane can lead to generation of the toxic amyloid-beta protein -- associated with Alzheimer's disease -- in the brains of mice. These are the first results indicating that isoflurane can set off a time-dependent cascade inducing cell death and enhanced levels...

U.S. and German researchers using a new animal model of genetic mutations say they've discovered some common anesthetics trigger arrhythmias in humans. Researchers from Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Freiburg, Germany, said they developed a novel animal model to study what happens in humans with genetic mutations leading to arrhythmias and-or sudden cardiac death. The mutations cause Long QT Syndrome, a disorder of the heart's...

KENILWORTH, N.J., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Schering-Plough Corp., today announced that a study published in the November 2008 issue of the medical journal, Anesthesiology (Vol. 109, No. 5)(1) demonstrated that sugammadex produced a significantly more rapid recovery from profound rocuronium-induced muscle relaxation than the conventional reversal agent neostigmine. Importantly, this is the first comparative study to demonstrate that rapid reversal of profound rocuronium-induced...

Akorn, a provider of sterile specialty pharmaceuticals, has commercially launched Akten gel 3.5%, a topical ocular anesthetic ophthalmic drug product. According to the company, Akten represents the first FDA approved drug product indicated for use as an ocular anesthetic in four decades. Akten is the only approved ocular gel formulation that also contains the highest concentration of lidocaine. Akten can also be used as a local anesthetic indicated for ocular surface anesthesia during...

Akorn, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKRX) today announced the commercial launch of Akten(TM) Gel 3.5%, a topical ocular anesthetic ophthalmic drug product. Akten(TM) represents the first FDA approved drug product indicated for use as an ocular anesthetic in four decades. Akten(TM) is the only approved ocular gel formulation that also contains the highest concentration of lidocaine. Akten(TM) has several unique features: it is preservative free, non toxic to the cornea, does not sting due to its...

KENILWORTH, N.J., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Schering-Plough Corporation today announced that the European launch of BRIDION(R) (sugammadex) injection has begun with its introduction this week in Sweden, and that the product is expected to be available soon in the United Kingdom and Germany, with several other European markets to follow by the end of the year and in early 2009. "The introduction of BRIDION in Europe represents an important advance for anesthesiologists and the...

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Novalar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a dental specialty pharmaceutical company, announced the publication of three clinical trials on the use of OraVerse (phentolamine mesylate) injection as a local dental anesthetic reversal agent in the August 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA). The first publication, entitled "Reversal of soft tissue local anesthesia with phentolamine mesylate in adolescents and adults" includes an overview of...

KENILWORTH, N.J., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Schering-Plough Corporation today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved BRIDION(R) (sugammadex) injection, the first and only selective relaxant binding agent (SRBA) and the first major pharmaceutical advance in the field of anesthesia in two decades. BRIDION is indicated for routine reversal of the commonly used muscle relaxants rocuronium or vecuronium and for immediate reversal of rocuronium in adults, and for...

Aspect Medical Systems (NASDAQ: ASPM), the global market leader in brain monitoring technology, today announced that the Company's letter to the editor regarding a study and editorial evaluating use of BIS(R) technology to reduce the risk of anesthesia awareness was published in the July 24th issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). The NEJM also published letters from Dr. Paul Myles and co-investigators from the Australian B-Aware trial published in The Lancet in 2004, Dr. Lulong...

RxElite, Inc. (OTCBB: RXEI) is pleased to announce it has completed implementation of the contract, and has received orders from Heritage Valley Health Systems, for their anesthetic gas products. RxElite was awarded a preferred contract listing in all classes of trade for Sevoflurane (Sojourn(TM)) and Isoflurane (Terrell(TM)) on March 3, 2008. Sevoflurane is the most commonly used anesthetic gas in the U.S. and Isoflurane continues to hold share in the anesthetic gas market. "We are excited...