The information contained in this section is for informational purposes only; it does not, nor is it intended to, provide medical advice, recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Consumers should always seek the advice of a physician or other health care professional for information regarding a medical condition and they should not rely on any information contained in this section as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consumers should never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking professional medical advice because of information contained in this section.
Our mission includes finding answers for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. We focus our internal research efforts primarily on four core therapeutic areas: neuroscience, endocrine disorders, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. We also continue to pursue innovative science and new opportunities beyond our targeted disease categories.
Some of the conditions our medications treat include:
ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME (ACS)
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is an umbrella term used to describe a number of conditions resulting from a sudden insufficient blood supply to the heart, including unstable angina and heart attack.
Risk factors for ACS include age, family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking, among others.
The treatment plan for ACS will vary depending on the individual and the nature of their illness. Often, several different types of tests, procedures and medications are involved in treating cardiovascular diseases like ACS, so it is important that patients learn about their condition, ask questions of their health care team and understand the medications they’re taking and the procedures they are undergoing.
Patients can also contribute a great deal to their treatment plan, by following their doctor’s advice and taking heart-healthy steps like living smoke-free, being physically active, controlling their blood pressure and eating a healthy diet. For more information on cardiovascular disease please go to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.
DIABETES
Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot properly use the food energy it consumes. Food, when eaten, gets broken down into a form of sugar called glucose. Glucose enters the bloodstream and goes to the surrounding cells where it is used as energy.
Insulin is a hormone that ensures the body’s energy needs are met. When the body doesn’t make enough insulin, or doesn’t properly use its insulin, diabetes can develop. Glucose builds up in the bloodstream and can lead to serious health problems such as blindness, heart disease, kidney problems, amputation, nerve damage and erectile dysfunction.
There are three main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, usually diagnosed in children and adolescents, occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. Approximately 10 per cent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
The remaining 90 per cent have type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not effectively use the insulin that is produced. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adulthood, although increasing numbers of children in high-risk populations are being diagnosed.
A third type of diabetes, gestational diabetes, is a temporary condition that can develop during pregnancy.
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are serious conditions but people with the disease can do many things to stay well, including following a healthy meal plan and being physically active, and carefully monitoring and controlling their blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In fact, some people with type 2 diabetes are able to successfully manage their condition through lifestyle changes alone.
If medication or insulin is required, there is good news on that front as well, as medical research has made numerous advances in the treatment of diabetes. There are a now a number of different oral diabetes medications available to Canadians, as well as several types of insulins. Your health care team can help develop a treatment regimen that is right for you.
For more information on diabetes, speak to your health care team or visit The Canadian Diabetes Association’s website at www.diabetes.ca.
DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHIC PAIN (DPNP)
Nerves allow your body to feel temperature, pain, and other sensations. Over time, the effects of diabetes can harm the nerves in the legs, feet, arms, or hands. The damaged nerves can become overly sensitive, to the point where the slightest movement or light touch of the skin can trigger intense pain. This condition is known as diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain or DPNP.
Common symptoms of DPNP include burning or shooting pains, often in the feet and legs, and increased sensitivity to touch in those areas. Others symptoms include the loss of sensation, numbness or tingling in the extremities.
There are a number of medications available that can effectively manage the condition. A health care professional can provide information on the options available. More information on DPNP can be found at The Canadian Pain Coalition’s website at www.canadianpaincoalition.ca.
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION (ED)
The term erectile dysfunction – commonly known as ED – refers to a condition in which a man is either unable to achieve an erection that is firm enough for sexual intercourse or unable to maintain a firm erection until the end of intercourse.
Of course, it is fairly common for a man to have difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection from time to time; it is only when the problem occurs frequently, or all the time, that the man may have ED.
It’s important to remember that ED can affect more than just the body. It may also have a negative effect on self-esteem and lead to feelings of depression, anxiety or guilt, for both the man with ED and his partner.
The good news is that ED is treatable. Today there are several treatment options, including lifestyle changes, counselling, oral prescription medications, injection therapies and even surgical treatments. A doctor can provide more information on the options that are available to Canadian men. In addition, more information on ED can be found at the Canadian Male Sexual Health Council website at www.cmshc.ca.
GROWTH HORMONE DISORDERS
Hormones are chemical substances that control nearly all of our bodies’ functions including growth and development, reproduction, behaviour and mood. Human growth hormone (HGH) performs several crucial tasks in both children and adults, including controlling protein synthesis, metabolism and the development of bone structure and muscle mass.
A HGH disorder can affect both children and adults in many ways. In children, these disorders may lead to an abnormally slow growth rate, short stature, above-average levels of fatty tissue and below-average muscle mass, among other symptoms.
Adults with a HGH disorder may store excess fat and/or have elevated blood cholesterol levels. Muscle mass may also be reduced, which can affect physical performance and lead to a loss of energy and vitality. Bone density can also be diminished, putting patients at an increased risk of fracture.
Fortunately, there are treatment options for HGH disorders. Hormonal replacement therapy can alleviate symptoms and help to rebuild lost strength and stamina. With treatment, children can help to reach their height potential and adults can feel better and return to a more active lifestyle.
LUNG CANCER
The term cancer refers to a class of diseases in which a group of cells begin to grow uncontrollably and invade and destroy adjacent tissues. Sometimes, the cancerous cells spread to other parts of the body through the lymph system or through our blood – a process known as metastasis. Most cancerous cells form a tumour or tumours while some, like leukemia, do not.
Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Lung cancer begins in the lungs, where cancerous cells multiply and form tumours that invade and destroy normal tissue.
The most common form of lung cancer is non-small-cell lung cancer, or NSCLC. The other main form is known as small-cell lung cancer or SCLC.
The main risk factor for lung cancer is smoking. People who live or work around people who smoke are at an elevated risk because they are exposed to second-hand smoke.
In treating NSCLC, physicians will consider the patient’s general health, the type of cancer and the stage of the illness. Treatments may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and/or targeted therapies.
If you have been diagnosed with NSCLC, it is important to work together with your health care team — asking questions and exploring all your treatment options. This can help you take back some control and alleviate the anxiety that commonly comes with a cancer diagnosis. In addition, patient advocacy and support groups, such as the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca), can offer information and support services.
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer that affects the inside lining of the chest cavity.
Mesothelial cells line the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity surrounding your heart, and cover the outer surface of most of your internal organs. These cells help protect your organs by producing a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move around. In the lungs, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing.
The main risk factor for developing mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Although rare in Canada, MPM is a serious disease and by the time symptoms appear, the cancer is often in an advanced stage.
If you have been diagnosed with MPM, your health care team will consider your general health and the type and stage of the cancer when making treatment recommendations. Such treatments may include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy – or a combination of these.
For more information, speak to your doctor. Additional information on MPM can also be found at www.cancer.ca.
MENTAL HEALTH
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (G.A.D.)
Schizophrenia
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioural disorder that has been related to the brain’s chemistry and anatomy. ADHD presents itself as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that occurs more frequently and more severely than is typically seen in people at comparable levels of development.
ADHD begins in childhood, and as many as 60 per cent of children with ADHD continue to have characteristics of ADHD persisting through to adulthood.
Fortunately, ADHD is treatable. Research is continuing on many fronts and there are now many therapies that can help manage the condition and allow people with ADHD to live more fulfilling lives and reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.adhd.ca.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive disorder, is a neurological illness characterized by periods of abnormally elevated mood (mania) followed by a periods of extremely low mood (depression).
While we all experience changes in mood from time to time, the extreme mood swings seen in patients with bipolar disorder are very different. During the manic phase of the illness, people with bipolar disorder can experience feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism or exaggerated self-esteem, racing thoughts and irritability. They may have little need for sleep and act impulsively and even behave recklessly. During the depressive phase, the same person may then feel sad, worthless or hopeless, have little energy, show changes in sleep patterns, and show other signs of clinical depression.
The symptoms of bipolar disorder can cause significant distress and result in damaged relationships, poor job performance, and even suicide. However, there is reason for hope; while there is no cure for bipolar disorder the illness can be effectively managed and controlled.
Bipolar disorder is treated today with a combination of medication and psychotherapy; medication helps to stabilize moods, while therapy help individuals understand their moods and behaviours, detect patterns and triggers and develop strategies for managing their mood swings and related symptoms.
For more information on bipolar disorder, speak to your doctor or visit the Canadian Mental Health Association’s website at www.cmha.ca.
Depression
From time to time, we all experience feelings of depression or experience a period of grief after a loss. These feelings can be very intense over a very short time, but they pass.
Clinical depression, on the other hand, is a serious medical condition characterized by long-lasting feelings of intense sadness and hopelessness coupled with additional mental and physical changes.
Depression is believed to be caused by an imbalance of chemicals, called neurotransmitters, which help send messages in the brain. These chemicals in the brain also help to regulate emotions, behaviours, and thinking. Several triggers may play a part in the onset of depression and can vary from one individual to another, including but not limited to:
- Family history and genetics
- Medical illnesses
- Certain medications
- Life events or environmental stresses
- Biological factors
- Psychological vulnerability
Fortunately, depression is very treatable. The two main treatment approaches are psychological counselling and/or pharmacotherapy (medication) with antidepressants. The goal of treatment is to restore a balance of emotions, relieve symptoms and return the individual to their pre-depression self in thoughts, functions, and general outlook on life.
For more information on depression and its treatment, speak to your doctor or another mental-health professional. You can also find more information at the Mood Disorders Society of Canada website at www.mooddisorderscanada.ca.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (G.A.D.)
Worry and anxiety are a natural part of life, and in fact, anxious emotions can serve a purpose by helping us prepare to deal with difficult or stressful circumstances. But people with generalized anxiety disorder (G.A.D.) stay worried, fear the worst will happen, and experience ongoing, debilitating anxiety even in the absence of a stressful or threatening situation. The worry may become so excessive and persistent that it can limit an individual’s daily activities. G.A.D. is diagnosed when an individual worries excessively about a variety of everyday problems for at least six months.
While the specific cause of G.A.D. is unknown, doctors have identified a variety of biological and psychological factors. Research shows that G.A.D. tends to run in families, but anxiety and worry can also be learned.
The treatment for G.A.D. can involve medication therapy as well as psychological counselling, or a combination of both. A mental health specialist can provide additional answers, and more information can also be found at www.anxietycanada.ca.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a complex neurological disorder, believed to be caused by a biochemical imbalance in the brain. Its symptoms – which usually appear in adolescence or early adulthood - include delusions, hallucinations, disturbances in thinking and communication, and withdrawal from social activity.
If left untreated, schizophrenia can take a huge financial and emotional toll on patients and their families, in addition to placing an economic and social burden on society as a whole. Sadly, because of the nature of the illness, schizophrenia can also lead to incarceration, homelessness, and even suicide for those who are ill.
Although there is still no cure for schizophrenia, the illness is treatable, and many people with schizophrenia go on to lead fulfilling lives in recovery. Psychiatrists agree that today, the best way to manage schizophrenia is through a combination of medication therapy and “psychosocial interventions”, a term which describes a range of treatments such as psychological counseling, patient education programs, and other support services.
There are a number of medications currently available in Canada that treat schizophrenia. Since each person’s illness is unique, their medication plan will also be unique, and the type of medication and dosage required will vary for each individual. Regardless of which medications are used, regular and ongoing monitoring is important to ensure that patients are taking their medication as prescribed, to identify when patients respond well (and when they don’t) and to monitor any side effects.
With early intervention and proper treatment, many individuals living with schizophrenia are able to manage their disease and live a full, productive life. For more information, speak to your doctor or visit the Schizophrenia Society of Canada’s website at www.schizophrenia.ca.
OSTEOPOROSIS
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and the deterioration of bone tissue. This leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture, particularly of the hip, spine and wrist.
Osteoporosis affects as many as 2 million Canadians, including one in four women over the age of 50 and at least one in eight men over the age of 50.
Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because it has few warning signs. All women may be at risk for osteoporosis; however if any one of the following applies to you, your risks are even greater:
Major Risk Factors
- Age 65 or older
- Vertebral compression fracture
- Fracture with minimal trauma after age 40
- Family history of osteoporotic fracture (especially if your mother had a hip fracture)
- Long-term (more than 3 months continuously) use of glucocorticoid therapy such as prednisone
- Medical conditions (such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease) that inhibit absorption of nutrients
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
- Tendency to fall
- Osteopenia apparent on x-ray
- Hypogonadism (low testosterone in men, loss of menstrual periods in younger women)
- Early menopause (before age 45)
Minor Risk Factors
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Prolonged use of anticonvulsants
- Prolonged heparin use
- Body weight less than 57 kg (125 lbs.)
- If your present weight is more than 10% below your weight at age 25
- Low calcium intake
- Excess caffeine (consistently more than 4 cups a day of coffee, cola or some energy drinks)
- Excess alcohol (consistently more than 2 drinks a day)
- Smoking
If you are at risk for osteoporosis there are several steps you can take to stay as fit, such as eating a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Exercise -– particularly weight-bearing exercise – is also important, since it may help protect bones and provide other health benefits.
You may also want to ask your doctor about taking a bone density test. This painless, non-invasive test can help determine whether you need medication to maintain bone mass, prevent further bone loss and reduce fracture risk. If medication is required, there are several options and your doctor can help determine which one is right for you. More information on osteoporosis can be found at www.osteoporosis.ca.
SEPSIS
Sepsis is a serious condition that can result when the body's immune and clotting systems react to infection in the body.
Sepsis is marked by generalized (whole body) inflammation and blood clotting, which can rapidly lead to organ failure (severe sepsis) and even death.
Severe sepsis is defined as sepsis in association with the failure of one or more organ systems (e.g., lung, kidney, cardiovascular and/or other organ systems). Septic shock, a common and serious form of severe sepsis, occurs when the cardiovascular system begins to fail and blood pressure drops to dangerously low levels.
Sepsis can strike anyone, but events such as pneumonia, trauma, surgery, burns, or a serious illness such as cancer may predispose individuals to sepsis. In fact, those who die of complications from cancer or pneumonia, often actually die from sepsis. The elderly and those whose immune systems are weakened by medication or disease are also susceptible.
If you or a loved one may be at risk for sepsis, speak to your health care team about treatment options available.
