Dyspepsia or pyrosis complicates up to 80% of pregnancies; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is almost as common. The causes include decreased motility of the GI during gestation and an increase in intra-abdominal pressure by the enlarging uterus, which in some patients, may even cause the cardial valve to herniate above the diaphragm.

Abbott announced that the FDA has approved its RealTime HBV assay for measuring the amount of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in human plasma or serum from individuals chronically infected with HBV.

The FDA is reminding healthcare professionals that intravenous Tygacil (tigecycline, from Pfizer) can increase mortality risk in the treatment of serious bacterial infections.

Reckitt Benckiser announced that the FDA has approved Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual film for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence in conjunction with counseling and psychosocial support.

The revised position statement issued by the North American Menopause Society evaluates the latest evidence and offers recommendations on who should pursue hormone therapy.

The human papillomavirus vaccine is effective in most adult women who have never been infected, interim data from an ongoing study suggest.