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Winter 2001

CFIDS News
Keeping you up-to-date on recent events across the nation and around the world

Bowel drug taken off pharmacy shelves
Glaxo Welcome, the makers of Lotronex, a drug used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, is removing it from pharmacy shelves after dozens of patients suffered serious side effects and at least three people died. CFIDS patients taking Lotronex should consult with their physician immediately.

Pain control medicine recalled
The Food and Drug Administration announced that Knoll Pharmaceutical Company is recalling its Vicodin tablets in 500-tablet bottles containing because of its failure to dissolve.

Vicodin is often used to relieve moderate to severe pain. You can read about the recall on the Internet. (Link no longer active)

B12 taken off market
The only U.S. manufacturer of B12 in the form of hydroxycobalamin, Schein, stopped supplying it this past fall. But CFIDS expert Dr. Charles Lapp says that, “the less expensive form of B12, which is still available, can be taken in high doses like the hydroxy form without risking cyanide poisoning and with fewer side effects and less burning on administration.”

Insurance standards set
The Life Offices Association of South Africa, the association of insurance companies in South Africa, announced a new policy to assess CFIDS disability claims. The policy will use the internationally accepted criteria for CFIDS and fibromyalgia (FM) and disability will be assessed using a battery of tests. The announcement is newsworthy for people with CFIDS worldwide because a group of insurance companies recognized that CFIDS is disabling and compensable. 

FM/CFIDS patent issued
Bentley Pharmaceuticals says it signed a license with Dartmouth College to obtain exclusive rights to a patent covering androgen therapy.

The Dartmouth patent covers a variety of androgenic steroids, including testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and other compounds used in treating CFIDS/FM.

A preliminary study conducted by Dartmouth scientists indicated that FM patients demonstrated improved muscle function, energy levels, and restorative sleep in response to the therapy. Copies of the press release can be found on the company’s Web site. 

Staying employed easier in future
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced two initiatives in late 2000 to help people with disabilities work without fear of losing their Medicare, Medicaid, or other health benefits.

One of the programs will fund demonstrations that will enable people with chronic, disabling conditions to get medical benefits without having to quit their jobs if they need medical care.

The other program will assist states in increasing services and support to disabled people who work as well as helping others return to work.  For additional information, visit DHHS’ Web site.  

Researcher honored
The Arthritis Foundation honored Dr. Daniel Clauw with the Breakthroughs in Research Award for his research of arthritis-related disorders associated with diffuse pain, including CFIDS.

Clauw is the Scientific Director of the Georgetown Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center and the Chief of the Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy at Georgetown University Medical Center.