When bacteria are frequently exposed to antibiotics, they may become "superbugs" that can't be treated with standard medications.

"It offers an additional treatment for a group of patients who traditionally, with standard medications, have not done as well."

But the agency said that because nobody knew whether latanoprost's side effect was dangerous, its use should be restricted to patients not helped by standard medication.

These patients also have a relatively high survival rate compared with emphysema patients who are treated with standard medications.

Fortunately, standard medications work well against the organisms, which have not become drug-resistant.

Biologic therapies are recommended for patients who do not improve on standard medications.

He was prescribed lithium - the standard mood-stabilising medication for the condition.

The standard medication, lithium, fails to help about half the patients who take it.

For other ailments, however, acupuncture has been found to work better than standard medications - and without side effects.

All the thyroid and autoimmune problems among the living patients have been successfully treated with standard medications, Coles says.