Health Highlights: May 9, 2008

Approval of NovoSeven RT will benefit health-care facilities with limited refrigeration space. The original formula could be stored for three years at temperatures between 36 and 46 degrees F, the FDA said.

Fever, bleeding, injection site reaction, joint discomfort, headache, increases or decreases in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, pain, swelling and rash are among the most common side effects associated with NovoSeven RT.

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FDA Approves Generic Versions of Restless Legs Drug

The first generic versions of the restless leg syndrome drug Requip have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The agency said it approved generic ropinirole hydrochloride tablets in the following dosages: 0.25 milligram, 0.5 milligram, 1 milligram, 2 milligrams, 3 milligrams, and 4 milligrams. The companies approved to market the generic tablets are: Roxane Laboratories Inc., Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Par Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.

While Requip is also approved to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, the generic versions are currently not approved for that kind of use, which is protected by patent. However, that patent expires later this month and the makers of the generic drugs may then seek approval for the Parkinson's disease indication, the FDA said.

The generic tablets will carry the same safety warnings as Requip about the possible risk of falling asleep while doing daily activities, including driving.

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Diet May Affect Prostate Cancer Surgery Outcome

Men who eat a diet low in saturated fat do better after having their prostate removed due to cancer (radical prostatectomy) than those who eat a diet high in saturated fats, according to a study of 390 patients by researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

After five years of follow-up, 80 percent of men who limited their saturated fat intake had no evidence of cancer, compared with 65 percent of men who consumed high levels of saturated fats,United Press Internationalreported.