SYMBOLFIGURE 1Acetaminophen is effective in treating moderately severe migraines, according to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the December 11-25, 2000, issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. Since the drug isn't indicated for migraine headaches, consumers may bypass acetaminophen in favor of more expensive drugs associated with many side effects. Significantly more patients who took acetaminophen 1,000 mg were pain free at two and six hours, compared with a placebo group; phonophobia and photophobia were also reduced.
SYMBOLFIGURE 2Cell phones don't cause brain tumors, according to a case-control study published in the January 11, 2001, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Analysis of nearly 800 patients with brain tumors and 800 patients admitted to the hospital for other conditions revealed that increasing frequency, duration, and total cumulative cell phone use didn't increase the risk of malignant brain cancer. Location of brain tumor did not correlate with the side of the head on which the telephone was used.
SYMBOLFIGURE 3Two approved biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can slow joint damage, according to two studies published in the November 30, 2000, New England Journal of Medicine. Both therapies block the activity of tumor necrosis factor, a substance involved with inflammation and bone resorption. In one study, etanercept acted more rapidly than methotrexate (the "gold standard") to reduce symptoms and slow joint damage in early RA. In the other study, patients who received methotrexate plus infliximab showed significantly fewer symptoms and less radiographic disease progression than did patients who received methotrexate alone.