Upcoming Events
Become part of the 16th annual "No Ball at All" campaign!
SADS Visits New York--stay tuned for pictures!
Benefit Dinner in Fayetteville, AK-Mar. 9, 2010
Brian Price Jumpathon in Dallas, TX- TBA, 2010
Ben Curtis Charity Golf Day in Australia- Mar 19, 2010
Benefit Concert From the Heart in Memphis, March 29
Medical Seminar: Understanding SCD in Children - Arizona - April 17, 2010
SADS Family Seminar in Cincinnati, OH - May 1, 2010
SADS Family and Medical Seminar at New York University -June 5, 2010--More info coming soon!
To add to your special fund-raising event please contact Laura or call 800-783-7723
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Greetings!
Here's the latest news from the SADS Foundation. Please take a moment and catch up on the most recent happenings. |
Awareness Update: Libraries
Utah has officially "blasted" ALL the public libraries with SADS posters! What about your state?
We want all the libraries to have SADS posters! It's a simple and quite effective way to spread the word--what are you waiting for?
Click here to find a list of public libraries in your city, then submit a materials request. Questions? E-mail Adrienne.
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Diet Pills, Herbal Supplements, and OTC substances can be dangerous for SADS conditions
As
you all know, some medications, including "cold pills", which you can
get without a prescription, should not be taken by people with Long QT
Syndrome. Heart arrhythmias have been linked with many over-the-counter pills,
supplements and herbal remedies.
In a recent study by Dr. Brian McBride, 60 percent of the patients who took
Metabolife356, a popular weight loss supplement, had their QT prolonged by 30
milliseconds. As a comparison, he pointed out that the FDA either banned or
refused to approve several drugs that prolonged QT by just 13
milliseconds-among them the popular allergy drug Seldane.
A recent review of research indi cates that the active component in grapefruit juice called
naringenin poses a risk to patients who are currently taking cardiovascular
medications. Some foods can cause an interaction with drugs; for example,
grapefruit juice inhibits the enzyme cytochrome P450 3A4, which metabolizes
approximately 50% of all medications known to prolong the QT interval.
Ultimately, consuming pink grapefruit juice in combination with cardiovascular
medication leads to an accelerated metabolization of the medication and thus is
no longer able to regulate the QT interval properly.
Please keep in mind that many of these products are not tested enough to know
what their effects will be. Therefore, you should always ask your doctor before
taking any product. You can also find a list of drugs to avoid on the SADS website.
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New to the SADS store!
SADS has gone green, or shall we say--red, with these re-usable
 grocery totes. Support the SADS Foundation and the environment! You voted, now they're finally here! "Keeping Hearts Beating" wristbands--now available in the SADS store! 
Stickers! In addition to our new reusable tote bags and wristbands, we also have heart shaped stickers! Perfect for any surface or occasion, kids will love them!
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FDA Alert: Invirase (Saquinavir ) and Norvir (Ritonavir)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing
clinical trial data about a potentially serious effect on the heart from the
use of Invirase (saquinavir) in combination with Norvir (ritonavir). The data suggest that together the two drugs
may affect the QT interval of the heart.
A prolonged QT interval can increase the risk for abnormal heart
rhythms, including a serious abnormal rhythm called torsades de pointes.
The FDA's analysis of these data is ongoing. Patients
concerned about possible
risks associated with using Invirase and Norvir should continue to
take their prescribed medication and talk to their healthcare
professional.
Click here to read the FDA press release. |
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Sincerely,
Alice, Laura, Joanne, Heidi and Adrienne
SADS Foundation
508 East South Temple, Suite 202
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
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