MedWorm: Zivast

Shortening of Donepezil-induced QTc Prolongation with a Change in the Interacting Drug, after Electrocardiograph Monitoring by Community Pharmacists: A Case Report.

Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:06:03 +0100

We report the case of a patient in whom the risk of drug-induced torsades de pointes (TdP) was lowered, after monitoring by community pharmacists. Case: An 80-year-old woman was under donepezil (5 mg/d) therapy for Alzheimer's disease and also taking other drugs that interact with donepezil, namely, benidipine (8 mg/d) and atorvastatin (10 mg/d). The patient was visited almost every month, and an electrocardiogram was usually obtained. QTc prolongation (avg. 470±9 ms) was observed in the first to third tests. Her doctor was informed about these results and the risk factors (advanced age, gender, and drugs interactions (benidipine and atorvastatin)) associated with TdP and asked to respond promptly since several cases of donepezil-induced TdP have been reported. As a result, benidipine was...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Simvastatin and atorvastatin attenuate VCAM-1 and uPAR expression on human endothelial cells and platelet surface expression of CD40 ligand.

Cardiology Journal — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:36:02 +0100

Conclusions: These effects may explain the ability of statins to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis in addition to their cholesterol-lowering properties. (Cardiol J 2012; 19, 1: 20-28). PMID: 22298164 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cardiology Journal)

Mylan nets FDA approval to market generic Lipitor

Cardiovascular Business News — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:51:38 +0100

Mylan's subsidiary Mylan Laboratories Limited (formerly Matrix Laboratories Limited) has received tentative approval from the FDA for its abbreviated New Drug Application for atorvastatin calcium tablets. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

Prescriptions Blog: Drug Makers Dial Down TV Advertising

NYT Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:27:05 +0100

Pharmaceutical companies have cut spending on television advertising by 20 percent over the last five years, according to a Nielsen study. Analysts expect drug advertising to continue to fall as more brand-name drugs face generic competition. (Source: NYT Health)

Atorvastatin: Behavioural adverse effects: 2 case reports

Reactions — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:34:27 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Mylan Receives Tentative FDA Approval For Generic Version Of Lipitor®

Pharmaceutical Online News — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:10:00 +0100

Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL) today announced that its subsidiary Mylan Laboratories Limited (formerly Matrix Laboratories Limited) has received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets, 10 mg (base), 20 mg (base), 40 mg (base) and 80 mg (base). (Source: Pharmaceutical Online News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Direct to consumer Internet advertising of statins: an assessment of safety

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsA potential purchaser of statins is likely to encounter websites from a wide geographical base and of generally poor quality. This has potentially serious implications for the safety of purchasers who may not be aware of the problems associated with ordering medicines online or the actual medication, which they receive. Direct to consumer advertising websites need tighter controls. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety)

Generic Liptor causes Pfizer profit slump

Pharmaceutical Technology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Pharmaceutical major Pfizer has announced a 50% slump in net income for Q4 2011 as the company suffers at the hands of generic versions of its cholesterol blockbuster Lipitor. (Source: Pharmaceutical Technology)

[News] Patent expiration offers hope of cheaper cancer drugs

The Lancet Oncology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

On Dec 1, 2011, Indian pharmaceutical company, Ranbaxy, received US FDA approval to manufacture and market atorvastatin, used to reduce cholesterol. The drug is the generic version of Lipitor, the patent for which, owned by Pfizer, had expired the day before. In the first three quarters of 2011, Lipitor generated sales of US$7·89 billion. (Source: The Lancet Oncology)

No adverse effects of statins on muscle function and health‐related parameters in the elderly: An exercise study

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a repeated bout of eccentric exercise on health‐related parameters and muscle performance on subjects undergoing atorvastatin therapy. Twenty‐eight elderly men participated in the investigation and were assigned either in a control (n = 14) or in a statin therapy group (n = 14). All participants performed two isokinetic eccentric exercise bouts separated by 3 weeks. Muscle damage indices, resting energy expenditure, substrate metabolism, lipid and lipoprotein profile, as well as insulin sensitivity, were evaluated before and after eccentric. No differences in muscle function were observed between the two groups either at rest or after exercise. Eccentric exercise increased resting energy expenditure, increased fat o...

Ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/40 mg versus atorvastatin 40 mg in high cardiovascular risk patients with primary hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, multicenter study

Lipids in Health and Disease — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Background: A considerable number of patients with severely elevated LDL-C do not achieve recommended treatment targets, despite treatment with statins. Adults at high cardiovascular risk with hypercholesterolemia and LDL-C [greater than or equal to]2.59 and [less than or equal to]4.14 mmol/L (N = 250), pretreated with atorvastatin 20 mg were randomized to ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/40 mg or atorvastatin 40 mg for 6 weeks. The percent change in LDL-C and other lipids was assessed using a constrained longitudinal data analysis method with terms for treatment, time, time-by-treatment interaction, stratum, and time-by-stratum interaction. Percentage of subjects achieving LDL-C (Source: Lipids in Health and Disease)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Liver mitochondrial respiratory function and coenzyme Q content in rats on a hypercholesterolemic diet treated with atorvastatin.

Physiological Research — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Uličná O, Vančová O, Waczulíková I, Božek P, Sikurová L, Bada V, Kucharská J Abstract Statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, are effective drugs in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, however, their undesirable actions are not fully known. We investigated the effects of atorvastatin on the oxidative phosphorylation and membrane fluidity in liver mitochondria, and also on the coenzyme Q (CoQ) content in the mitochondria, liver tissue, and plasma of rats on a standard (C) and hypercholesterolemic (HCh) diet. Atorvastatin was administered at either low (10 mg kg(-1)) or high dose (80 mg kg(-1)) for four weeks. The high dose of the drug decreased the concentrations of total cholesterol and triacylglycerols in the plasma an...

Drug interaction profile for GSK2248761, a next‐generation non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These studies indicate GSK2248761 was safe and well tolerated in healthy adults treated in these studies at the doses and duration of therapy evaluated.© 2012 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society (Source: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology)

ATORVASTATIN CALCIUMtablet, Film Coated [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Jan 30, 2012 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Atorvastatin delays progression of pancreatic lesions to carcinoma by regulating PI3/AKT signaling in p48Cre/+.LSL‐KrasG12D/+ mice

International Journal of Cancer — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:05:18 +0100

AbstractPancreatic cancer is the one of most common causes of cancer deaths and has the worst prognosis. Clinical observational studies suggest that statins may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. The chemopreventive efficacy of the statin atorvastatin (Lipitor®) and the role of the phosphatidyl‐inositol 3‐kinase(PI3/AKT) signaling pathway were evaluated for the progression of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasms (PanINs) to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in conditional p48Cre/+‐LSL‐KrasG12D/+ transgenic mice. Six‐week old male p48Cre/+‐LSL‐KrasG12D/+ (20/group) mice were fed AIN‐76A diets containing 0, 200, and 400 ppm atorvastatin for 35 weeks. At termination, pancreata were evaluated histopathologically for PanINs and PDAC, and for various PI3/AKT signaling m...

Express Scripts' Lipitor Move Shows Pressure on Pfizer

WSJ.com: Health — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:48:13 +0100

Pharmacy-benefit manager Express Scripts will soon make an adjustment that raises out-of-pocket costs for some customers filling prescriptions of Pfizer's cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor, underscoring the drug maker's challenge of keeping sales high in the face of generic competition. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

US FDA approves Pfizer's Inlyta for kidney cancer

Reuters: Health — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:58:54 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Pfizer's Inlyta drug for patients with advanced kidney cancer won approval from U.S. regulators, boosting the company's efforts to offset plunging Lipitor sales. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Statin-associated gynecomastia: evidence coming from the Italian spontaneous ADR reporting database and literature

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:52:02 +0100

Conclusions Our findings suggest an association between gynecomastia and statins as a drug class, and the occurrence of this ADR would appear to be more likely with active substances that show an higher potency in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase enzyme. To date, the safety information provided on the labels of different statin-containing medicines is not standardized. Harmonization of this information would be helpful for both healthcare practitioners and patients. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Short CommunicationPages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s00228-012-1218-5Authors Giuseppe Roberto, Department of Pharmacology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, ItalyChiara Biagi, Department of Pharmacology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy...

FDA approves Pfizer's Inlyta for kidney cancer

Reuters: Health — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:35:57 +0100

(Reuters) - Pfizer's Inlyta drug for patients with advanced kidney cancer got the nod from U.S. regulators on Friday, boosting the company's plans to offset plunging Lipitor sales. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Effects of atorvastatin on NGAL and cystatin C in chronic kidney disease: a post hoc analysis of the LORD trial

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. NGAL is a biomarker of existing CKD but did not predict CKD progression. Atorvastatin reduced plasma NGAL but the significance and mechanisms require further investigation. Atorvastatin had no significant effect on cystatin C. (Source: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Alternate-day versus daily atorvastatin in coronary artery disease: a randomized study.

Anadolu Kardiyol Der... — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The current pilot study demonstrated that in patients with CAD who have achieved target LDL-C level, maintenance on alternate-day atorvastatin 10 mg was inferior to daily atorvastatin in keeping LDL-C below the target level; however, it produced a similar effect on hs-CRP. PMID: 22281786 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Anadolu Kardiyol Der...)

Watson Raises View

WSJ.com: Health — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:03:37 +0100

Watson Pharmaceuticals said its results for 2011 were stronger than expected as it saw strong growth of its generics business, especially from new generic Lipitor sales. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

Explication of interactions between HMGCR isoform 2 and various statins through In silico modeling and docking

Computers in Biology and Medicine — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:06:38 +0100

This study was designed to understand the mode of interactions of HMGCR isoform 2 with other statins. Hence, ligands such as Atorvastatin (DB01076), Lovastatin (DB00227), Fluvastatin (DB01095), Simvastatin (DB00641), Pravastatin (DB00175), Rosuvastatin (DB01098) and Cerivastatin (DB00439) were docked with enzymes HMGCR isoform 1 (pdb: 1DQ8) and modeled HMGCR isoform 2 (gi|196049380). Our homology modeling results were further processed to model the structure of human HMGCR isoform 2 and its accuracy was confirmed through RMS Z-scores (1.249). These interactions revealed that binding residues such as Arg515, Asp516, Tyr517 and Asn518 are found to be conserved in HMGCR isoform 2 with various statins. Our studies further concluded that Atorvastatin is most efficient inhibitor against both the...

Effects of atorvastatin on endothelial function and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules in young subjects with successfully repaired coarctation of aorta

Heart — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Atorvastatin treatment for 4 weeks in subjects with SCR significantly improved endothelial function and suppressed systemic inflammatory status by decreasing circulating levels of IL-1b and sVCAM-1. (Source: Heart)

Effect of atorvastatin on erectile functions in comparison with regular tadalafil use. A prospective single-blind study

International Urology and Nephrology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:59:32 +0100

Conclusion Tadalafil 20 mg three times/week shows better results than 10 mg atorvastatin daily. Atorvastatin alone seems to improve EF compared to not using any medication, and this significance is more prominent in patients with supranormal serum lipid levels. Further studies with subgroups of different serum lipid levels should be conducted. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Urology – Original PaperPages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s11255-012-0126-zAuthors Mehmet İlker Gokce, Department of Urology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Adnan Saygun Caddesi, Altındağ, Ankara, TurkeyÖmer Gülpınar, Department of Urology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Adnan Saygun Caddesi, Altındağ, Ankara, TurkeyErdem Öztürk, Department of Urology, Ankara Universi...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Implementing a statin switching programme in primary care: Patients’ views and experiences

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The standard process used, in line with nationally‐designed templates, resulted in many patients being unhappy with or lacking understanding of switching statins, suggesting that improvements may be needed.© 2012 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society (Source: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology)

ATORVASTATIN CALCIUMtablet, Film Coated [American Health Packaging]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Jan 18, 2012 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Sirolimus: Hyperlipidaemia treated with atorvastatin and ezetimibe: case report

Reactions — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:08:18 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Adverse events associated with individual statin treatments for cardiovascular disease: an indirect comparison meta-analysis

QJM — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Discussion: Although statins are generally well tolerated, there are risks associated with almost all drugs. With few exceptions, statins appear to exert a similar risk across individual drugs. (Source: QJM)

Pfizer fighting hard to hold on to Lipitor's market share

PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 04:11:42 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Mitochondria of trained skeletal muscle are protected from deleterious effects of statins

Muscle and Nerve — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:09:15 +0100

Conclusions:These results suggest that improvements in mitochondrial respiratory and antioxidant capacities following endurance training protected them against statin exposure. (Source: Muscle and Nerve)

Simvastatin reduces VCAM-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to lipopolysaccharide

Inflammation Research — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:42:04 +0100

Conclusions This study showed that simvastatin reduces VCAM-1 expression in HUVECs exposed to LPS and decreases leukocyte–endothelial cell adhesion. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original Research PaperPages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s00011-012-0435-9Authors Johnson Chia-Shen Yang, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, No. 123, Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung District, Kaohsiung, TaiwanFaye Huang, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, No. 123, Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung District, Kaohsiung, TaiwanChia-Jung Wu, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hosp...

Postoperative adhesion prevention using a statin‐containing cellulose film in an experimental model

British Journal of Surgery — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion:The data suggest that the newly developed adhesion barrier Statofilm has better results than Seprafilm® in preventing postoperative adhesions in rats. A low‐dose atorvastatin‐containing film, such as Statofilm, could be evaluated for future clinical application. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: British Journal of Surgery)

Lipitor Sales Are Leveling Off

NYT Health — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:58:49 +0100

Two new generic versions came on the market in December, and in the first full week of the month, they had siphoned off 59 percent of sales. (Source: NYT Health)

Co‐administration of statins with cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors in a UK primary care population

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsThe co‐prescription of CYP3A4‐metabolised statins and CYP3A4 inhibitors is common in UK primary care. This co‐prescription suggests the limited appreciation of potential interactions and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency safety advice, with the potential to increase likelihood for side effects amongst patients. Strategies to reduce drug interactions with potential adverse effects should be targeted at prescribers and pharmacists. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Pfizer Says Lipitor Share Is 'Where We Expected'

WSJ.com: Health — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:22:40 +0100

Pfizer's cholesterol drug is holding onto about 37% to 38% of the U.S. market as it competes with generic versions, the CEO said. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

Potential cardiovascular consequences of switching from atorvastatin to generic simvastatin in the Netherlands.

Netherlands Heart Journal — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: In the Netherlands, policy-driven switching from atorvastatin to generic simvastatin led overall to less potent doses being used, with possible significant clinical implications. PMID: 22231155 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Netherlands Heart Journal)

Atorvastatin treatment is effective when used in combination with mefloquine in an experimental cerebral malaria murine model

Malaria Journal — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The paper addresses the potential of statins in preventing experimental cerebral. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Phospholipase A2 Enzymes, High-Dose Atorvastatin, and Prediction of Ischemic Events Following Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Circulation — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: sPLA(2) mass independently predicts death during a 16 week period following ACS. High dose atorvastatin significantly reduces sPLA(2) and Lp-PLA(2) mass and activity after ACS and mitigates the risk of death associated with sPLA(2) mass. Atorvastatin may exert anti-inflammatory effects on phospholipases that contribute to its therapeutic benefit after ACS. PMID: 22230483 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation)

Readers: Cancer Screening, Lipitor, and Politics Top 2011 News

MedPage Today State Required CME — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:43:11 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- In response to MedPage Today's end-of-the-year survey, readers chose as top stories the changes in prostate and mammography screening, generic Lipitor, and the new class of oral anticoagulants, but the Affordable Care Act drew the most vocal comments. (Source: MedPage Today State Required CME)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Influence of atorvastatin on the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic activity of repaglinide in rats and rabbits.

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sekhar MC, Reddy PJ Abstract Dyslipidemia is common in patients with type 2 diabetes. Statins are used as the first choice in treatment of diabetic dyslipidemia. Atorvastatin represents a first-line treatment option, alongside other hydroxyl methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors. Repaglinide is a short-acting, oral, insulin secretagogue that is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both the category of drugs undergo extensive metabolism with cytochrome enzyme system. This may lead to drug-drug interaction problems with altered repaglinide activity which is cautious. Repaglinide/atorvastatin/atorvastatin + repaglinide were administered orally to normal, diabetic rats, and to normal rabbits. Blood samples were collected at different time intervals and...

Atorvastatin suppresses inflammatory response induced by oxLDL through inhibition of ERK phosphorylation, IκBα degradation, and COX‐2 expression in murine macrophages

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:41:14 +0100

AbstractMacrophages crosstalk with oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL), play a critical role in the initiation, progression, and subsequently stability of atherosclerotic plaques. Statins, inhibitors of HMG CoA (3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase, reduce the expression of inflammatory proteins in addition to their lipid‐lowering action. However, the effect and detailed anti‐inflammation mechanisms of statins in macrophages induced by oxLDL remain unclearly. In the present study, we investigated the effect of atorvastatin on inflammatory response upon oxLDL stimulation in murine macrophages and analyzed the underlying mechanisms. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) mRNA levels were assayed by real‐time PCR. The ex...

Development and Characterization of Self-nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SNEDDS) of Atorvastatin Calcium.

Current Drug Delivery — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Mantri SK, Pashikanti S, Murthy KR Abstract optimized. FT-IR and DSC were studied for interaction between drug and excipients if any. Forced degradation and accelerated stability studies were conducted for optimized SNEDDS. ATVF 04 and 11 were selected as optimized SNEDDS due to their smaller mean globule size (75.2 and 85.8 nm respectively), lower turbidity values, faster drug release and higher DE values among the other SNEDDS. The optimized ATV SNEDDS were not affected by the pH of dilution medium. FT-IR study revealed no interaction between drug and excipients used. Forced degradation studies indicated the stability of ATV in the gastric environment. Accelerated stability studies showed no significant changes in the mean globule size, zeta potential, drug content and d...

Co-administration of POM3, atorvastatin improves lipid profiles

MedWire News - Lipidology — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Research findings suggest that co-administering prescription omega-3-acid ethyl ester and atorvastatin to patients with mixed dyslipidemia significantly lowers mean triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles and remnants, while reducing very-low-density lipoprotein level-particle size. (Source: MedWire News - Lipidology)

Atorvastatin therapy decreases androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate concentrations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: randomized controlled study

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Twelve weeks of atorvastatin significantly reduced both DHEAS and androstenedione contributing to the total reduction of androgen concentrations and indicating that the reduction of the hyperandrogenaemia could be partly due to the action of atorvastatin at both the ovary and the adrenal gland in PCOS. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Lipitor No Help in Kids With SLE (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Cardiovascular — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:31:08 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- Atorvastatin did not slow atherosclerosis in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to the results of a multicenter, randomized trial. (Source: MedPage Today Cardiovascular)

Effect of Low-Dose Atorvastatin on Plasma Concentrations of Adipokines in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Kidney and Blood Pressure Research — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:00:00 +0100

Kidney Blood Press Res 2012;35:226–232 (DOI:10.1159/000332403) (Source: Kidney and Blood Pressure Research)

Generic Equivalent for Lipitor Available at Canada Drugs Online

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:58:36 +0100

Canada Drugs Online is celebrating the holidays by releasing a $5.00 off coupon for generic Lipitor. Generic medications are offered at huge discounts in other countries due to government regulations....(PRWeb December 30, 2011)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/lipitor/canadianpharmacy/prweb9060425.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

Effect of 40 mg Versus 10 mg of Atorvastatin on Oxidized Low‐Density Lipoprotein, High‐Sensitivity C‐Reactive Protein, Circulating Endothelial‐Derived Microparticles, and Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Clinical Cardiology — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions:Use of 40 mg of atorvastatin might decrease the levels of circulating EMPs and increase the number of circulating EPCs in patients with ICM in comparison with 10 mg of atorvastatin, and the effect might be independent of the decrease of lipids, oxLDL, and hsCRP. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.This study was supported by the Bureau of Health of Guangzhou city (2009‐YB‐186). The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose. (Source: Clinical Cardiology)

Anti-inflammatory effect of atorvastatin on vascular reactivity and insulin resistance in fructose fed rats.

Archives of Pharmacal Research — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, atorvastatin protected against impairment in aortic vascular reactivity associated with insulin resistance, particularly increased contractility, but not reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation, by a mechanism involving a reduction in cholesterol and IR in addition to anti-inflammatory effects. PMID: 22297754 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Archives of Pharmacal Research)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Pfizer's Offer of Discount Lipitor Prompts Outcry

Drugs.com - Pharma News — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:32:22 +0100

From Winston-Salem Journal (NC) (December 29, 2011) Dec. 29--Major drug manufacturer Pfizer is trying to capture the attention of a coupon-focused society by offering a card that allows insured patients to buy the company's best-selling... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)

ATORVASTATIN CALCIUMtablet, Film Coated [Rebel Distributors Corp]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Dec 29, 2011 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Savvy strategy gave Lipitor come-from-behind win

CTV Health — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:18:22 +0100

Lipitor, the bestselling drug in the history of pharmaceuticals, is the blockbuster that almost wasn't. (Source: CTV Health)

Against odds, Lipitor became world's top seller

USATODAY.com Health — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:59:29 +0100

Lipitor, the best-selling drug in the history of pharmaceuticals, is the blockbuster that almost wasn't. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Endothelial Progenitor Cell Mobilization and Platelet Microparticle Release Are Influenced by Clopidogrel Plasma Levels in Stable Coronary Heart Disease.

Circulation Journal — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The balance between platelet MP release and EPC mobilization seems influenced by clopidogrel plasma levels, suggesting a protective mechanism on coronary heart disease. PMID: 22214900 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation Journal)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin and Atheroma VolumeRosuvastatin and Atorvastatin and Atheroma Volume

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This study comparing the effect of two intensive statin regimens on progression of coronary disease showed little difference between the two. Journal Watch (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Statins inhibit expression of Thioredoxin reductase 1 in rat and human liver and reduce tumour development.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research communications — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Statin treatment decreases the hepatic expression of TrxR1 in humans and rats. Suppression of TrxR1 expression could explain possible anti-carcinogenic effects of statins. In addition, decreased levels of TrxR1 during statin treatment may shed light on the mechanism of other side-effects of statins. PMID: 22222370 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Biochemical and Biophysical Research communications)

Muscle pain and serum creatine kinase are not associated with low serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels in patients receiving statins

Clinical Endocrinology — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 11:18:08 +0100

Pharma braces for patent cliff impact

Chemistry World | Latest News — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:51:10 +0100

Lipitor patent expires while familiar problems persist (Source: Chemistry World | Latest News)

Differential effect of atorvastatin and tacrolimus on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells

AJP: Heart and Circulatory Physiology — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Although considered promising for use in drug-eluting stents (DES), tacrolimus failed clinically. Tacrolimus inhibits growth factor production but can also act as a growth factor on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). This unexpected proliferative stimulus could reverse the beneficial effects of the drug on restenosis. We hypothesized that tacrolimus' association with statins, which lower cholesterol and impair cell proliferation, could restore tacrolimus' beneficial effect by abrogating the aberrant proliferative stimulus. Additionally, since maintenance of endothelial function represents a challenge for new-generation DES, we investigated the combined effect of tacrolimus and atorvastatin on endothelial cells. Human VSMC and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were incubated with 1...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Oxidative‐mechanical stress signals stem cell niche mediated Lrp5 osteogenesis in eNOS‐/‐ null mice

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionTargeting the Wnt3a/Lrp5 pathway in valve calcification and activation of osteogenesis is via an oxidative‐mechanical stress in CAVD. These findings provide a foundation for treating this disease process by targeting the cross talk mechanism in a resident stem cell niche. J. Cell. Biochem. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry)

Myocardial Redox State Predicts In-Hospital Clinical Outcome After Cardiac Surgery: Effects of Short-Term Pre-Operative Statin Treatment

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 02:25:47 +0100

Conclusions: There is a strong independent association between myocardial O2−/ONOO− and in-hospital complications after cardiac surgery. Both myocardial O2− and ONOO− are reduced by pre-operative statin treatment, through a Rac1-mediated suppression of NADPH oxidase activity. These findings suggest that inhibition of myocardial NADPH oxidases may contribute to the beneficial effect of statins in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. (Effects of Atorvastatin on Endothelial Function, Vascular and Myocardial Redox State in High Cardiovascular Risk Patients; NCT01013103) (Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

Effects of lipid-lowering therapy with strong statin on serum polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in patients with coronary artery disease

Heart and Vessels — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:13:33 +0100

In conclusion, our results showed that lipid-lowering therapy with strong statin mainly reduced n−3 PUFAs in proportion to the decrease in the LDL cholesterol level in patients with coronary artery disease. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s00380-011-0213-6Authors Satoshi Kurisu, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-2-3 Kasumi-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551 JapanKen Ishibashi, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-2-3 Kasumi-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551 JapanYasuko Kato, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-2-3 Kasumi-cho, Minami-ku, Hir...

With New Generic Rivals, Lipitor's Sales Halved

Drugs.com - Pharma News — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:12:37 +0100

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Sales of cholesterol blockbuster Lipitor plunged by half barely a week after the world's top-selling drug got its first U.S. generic competition, new data show. That's despite a very aggressive effort by Lipitor maker... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)

Lipitor prescription dips 50%, boost for Ranbaxy

The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:43:04 +0100

Share price of Ranbaxy Laboratories gained 3% after reports said that prescription of Pfizer’s cholesterol lowering drug Lipitor fell by 50% within two weeks of the launch of a generic version by the Indian drug maker. (Source: The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Genetic variation in the ABCC2 gene is associated with dose decreases or switches to other cholesterol-lowering drugs during simvastatin and atorvastatin therapy

The Pharmacogenomics Journal — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: M L Becker, L L F S Elens, L E Visser, A Hofman, A G Uitterlinden, R H N van Schaik & B H Stricker (Source: The Pharmacogenomics Journal)

Pharmacokinetic Effects of Bariatric Surgery (January).

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS:Bariatric surgical procedures may result in altered pharmacokinetic parameters, but the literature is lacking in sufficient quantity and quality of studies to make solid conclusions and recommendations. Until more studies of sufficient power are completed, clinicians should closely monitor these patients in the immediate and distant postsurgical period for signs of both drug efficacy and toxicity and adjust their medications as required. PMID: 22190251 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy)

Statins for multiple sclerosis.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:00:04 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: There is no convincing evidence to support the use of either atorvastatin or simvastatin as an adjunctive therapy in MS. PMID: 22161428 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)

Atorvastatin ameliorates experimental autoimmune neuritis by decreased Th1/Th17 cytokines and up-regulated T regulatory cells.

Cellular Immunology — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 12:18:03 +0100

Authors: Li XL, Dou YC, Liu Y, Shi CW, Cao LL, Zhang XQ, Zhu J, Duan RS Abstract Statins have anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating properties. To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN), an animal model of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), atorvastatin was administered to Lewis rats immunized with bovine peripheral myelin in complete Freund's adjuvant. We found that atorvastatin ameliorated the clinical symptoms of EAN, decreased the numbers of inflammatory cells as well as IFN-γ(+) and IL-17(+) cells in sciatic nerves, decreased the CD80 expression and increased the number of CD25(+)Foxp3(+) cells in mononuclear cells (MNC), and decreased the levels of IFN-γ in MNC culture supernatants. These data provide strong evidence that atorvastat...

Lipitor [atorvastatin], the world's best-selling drug, has gone off-patent in the USA

PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:21:49 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Atorvastatin: Rhabdomyolysis causing hypernatraemia: case report

Reactions — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:55:18 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Pfizer discounts Lipitor after atorvastatin launch

Drug Topics - Top News — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Pfizer, Medco and pharmacy groups are all battling to be heard after a November article in the New York Times raised questions about the relative cost benefits of prescribing Lipitor or atorvastatin. (Source: Drug Topics - Top News)

Negligible generic Lipitor sales for Teva - report

Drugs.com - Pharma News — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:12:24 +0100

[Globes (Tel Aviv)] Published Date: December 13, 2011 03:35:00 PM EST Author: Globes, Tel Aviv, Israel Dec. 13--Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) initial revenue... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Effect of atorvastatin with or without prednisolone on Freund's adjuvant induced-arthritis in rats.

European Journal of Pharmacology — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Abdin AA, Abd El-Halim MS, Hedeya SE, El-Saadany AA Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease where cardiovascular diseases have been recognized as major determinants of early morbidity and mortality. Recently, there has been renewed interest in medication with glucocorticoids to decrease joint damage, but in long-term they incur substantial increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases and their overall risk/benefit ratio is deemed unfavorable. So, the proposed role of statins in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis when corticosteroids indicated as traditional therapy needs to be investigated. Fifty albino rats were divided into 5 equal groups; normal control group, Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis group, group of induced arthritis treate...

Effects of the PPAR-δ agonist MBX-8025 on atherogenic dyslipidemia

Atherosclerosis — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: PPAR-δ and statin therapies have complementary effects in improving lipoprotein subfractions associated with atherogenic dyslipidemia. (Source: Atherosclerosis)

Lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 and outcome in patients with type 2 diabetes on hemodialysis

European Journal of Clinical Investigation — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:06:06 +0100

Conclusion: LpPLA2 activity is predictive for cardiovascular outcome and total mortality. Reducing LpPLA2 by atorvastatin was associated with reduced mortality in patients with T2D on hemodialysis. (Source: European Journal of Clinical Investigation)

Atorvastatin Inhibits Functional Expression of Proatherogenic TLR2 in Arterial Endothelial Cells

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Cell Physiol Biochem 2011;28:625–630 (DOI:10.1159/000335758) (Source: Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry)

Effects of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetes—the CORALL study

Diabetic Medicine — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:13:42 +0100

Conclusions: Glycaemic control deteriorated in patients with diabetes following high‐dose statin therapy. Future controlled studies are needed to verify these findings and, if confirmed, determine whether such changes represent a true decline in glycaemic control. Presently, it appears that, based on the overwhelming prospective trial data available, the preventive effect of statin therapy supersedes that of the slight increase in HbA1c.© 2011 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine© 2011 Diabetes UK (Source: Diabetic Medicine)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Co‐chemoprevention of mouse lung tumors by SAHA and atorvastatin

International Journal of Cancer — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractAtorvastatin and SAHA were evaluated for co‐chemoprevention of mouse lung tumors. In Experiment 1, lung tumors were induced by vinyl carbamate in strain A/J mice followed by 500 mg/kg SAHA, 60 or 180 mg/kg Atorvastatin, and combinations containing SAHA and Atorvastatin administered in their diet. SAHA and both combinations, but not Atorvastatin, decreased the multiplicity of lung tumors, including large adenomas and adenocarcinomas with the combinations demonstrating the greatest efficacy. In Experiment 2, lung tumors were induced by 4‐(methylnitrosoamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanol [NNK] in strain A/J mice followed by 180 mg/kg Atorvastatin, 500 mg/kg SAHA, or both drugs administered in the diet. SAHA and the combination of both drugs, but not Atorvastatin alone, decrea...

Disposition of Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, and Simvastatin in Oatp1b2-/- Mice and Intraindividual Variability in Human Subjects.

The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Degorter MK, Urquhart BL, Gradhand U, Tirona RG, Kim RB Abstract Response to statin therapy is often unpredictable because of variability in metabolism and transport. In the recently created organic anion transporting-polypeptide 1b2 (Oatp1b2/Slco1b2)-null mice, the investigators found significantly lower liver-to-plasma ratios compared with controls for atorvastatin (16.0 ± 5.1 vs 43.5 ± 13.7, P = .002) and rosuvastatin (15.2 ± 3.3 vs 28.4 ± 9.3, P = .03), but not simvastatin (5.2 ± 1.1 vs 6.3 ± 2.9, P = .49), following tail vein injection of 1 mg/kg of each drug. In addition, the investigators examined intraindividual variation in atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin pharmacokinetics in healthy human subjects in a crossover study design. Areas under the plas...

Chemoprevention of mouse lung and colon tumors by suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid and atorvastatin

International Journal of Cancer — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractAtorvastatin and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) were evaluated for chemoprevention of mouse lung tumors. In Experiment 1, lung tumors were induced by vinyl carbamate in strain A/J mice followed by 500 mg/kg SAHA, 60 or 180 mg/kg atorvastatin, and combinations containing SAHA and atorvastatin administered in their diet. SAHA and both combinations, but not atorvastatin, decreased the multiplicity of lung tumors, including large adenomas and adenocarcinomas with the combinations demonstrating the greatest efficacy. In Experiment 2, lung tumors were induced by 4‐(methylnitrosoamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanol in strain A/J mice followed by 180 mg/kg atorvastatin, 500 mg/kg SAHA, or both drugs administered in the diet. SAHA and the combination of both drugs, but not ato...

Readers Lukewarm on Generic Lipitor's Impact

MedPage Today Public Health — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:40:38 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- Only a slight majority of MedPage Today readers agreed that the availability of generic atorvastatin (Lipitor) will make a significant impact on cardiovascular disease. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

Explaining statin inhibition effectiveness of HMG-CoA reductase by quantum biochemistry computations

RSC - Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. latest articles — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:23:38 +0100

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2012, Advance ArticleDOI: 10.1039/C1CP22824B, PaperRoner F. da Costa, Valder N. Freire, Eveline M. Bezerra, Benildo S. Cavada, Ewerton W. S. Caetano, Jose L. de Lima Filho, Eudenilson L. AlbuquerqueLeft: atorvastatin at the binding site of HMG-CoA. Main interacting amino acid residues are shown. Right: BIRD energy diagram.To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. latest articles)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

[Editorial] Lessons from Lipitor and the broken blockbuster drug model

LANCET — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Pfizer's LDL cholesterol-lowering atorvastatin (Lipitor) defines what it means to be a blockbuster drug. Patented in 1997, it has raked in around US$130 billion for Pfizer during its 14 years on the market, making it the world's bestselling drug of all time. Indeed, Pfizer's business model has relied on the huge profits from Lipitor and a few other blockbuster drugs. But things are set to change. The patent for Lipitor expired on Nov 30. (Source: LANCET)

More Concern Voiced Over Pfizer's Lipitor DealsMore Concern Voiced Over Pfizer's Lipitor Deals

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:54:13 +0100

Pfizer's tactics to try to retain sales in the face of generic competition is again the subject of concern, this time in a Perspective in the New England Journal of Medicine. Heartwire (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Furiex shares drop 6% after failed drug trial

bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:02:48 +0100

Shares of Furiex Pharmaceuticals closed at $16.63 Friday – down more than 6 percent – after the company reported negative results from a Phase II drug trial. Morrisville-based Furiex (Nasdaq: FURX) developed a drug — called PPD-10558 — to lower muscle pain in patients who were taking medication to lower cholesterol, technically called statin-associated myalgia. In the trial, patients on the cholesterol medication Lipitor were given PPD-10558 to test if they would experience less muscle pain than a placebo... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines)

The Statin Market In A Generic Lipitor World

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:05:15 +0100

Trying to ballpark the market for cholesterol pills is becoming quite a pasttime. For instance, a new survey of physicians shows that Lipitor will capture an incremental 10 percent to 20 percent of the statin market, which implies volume growth of 50 pecent to 70 percent, according to analysts at Leerink Swann, the Wall Street firm, which queried 61 specialists - 32 cardiologists and 29 primary care docs in the US. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

More concern voiced over Pfizer's Lipitor deals

theHeart.org — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:00:53 +0100

Pfizer's tactics to try to retain sales in the face of generic competition is again the subject of concern, this time in a Perspective in the New England Journal of Medicine. (Source: theHeart.org)

First generic of cholesterol drug Lipitor approved in US

Pharmacy Europe — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:26:00 +0100

Pfizer fails to protect patent in America, but EU protection runs for another six months (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

ATORVASTATIN CALCIUMtablet, Film Coated [Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Dec 9, 2011 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Effect of atorvastatin on the cortical bones of corticosteroid treated rabbits

Journal of Orthopaedic Research — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we evaluated the effect of atorvastatin calcium on the flexural properties (3‐point bending strength and modulus) of corticosteroid (methylprednisolone acetate) treated rabbit femurs and tibias. Our study hypothesis was that the use of statins would counteract the loss of bone strength caused by corticosteroid treatment. The 40 rabbits were divided into 5 groups: control, corticosteroid alone and corticosteroid combined with oral doses of atorvastatin calcium (2, 10, or 20 mg/day). A daily oral dose of atorvastatin calcium treatment for 70 days weakened the long bones of methylprednisolone acetate treated rabbits irrespective of the dosage (2, 10, or 20 mg). Cortical bone strength was assessed using the 3‐point bending test at the end of the study period. A daily ora...

Generic Atorvastatin and Health Care Costs

New England Journal of Medicine — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:00:06 +0100

New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 0, Issue 0, Ahead of Print. (Source: New England Journal of Medicine)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Fear, Apathy, And Bureaucracy: Why We Won't Have Another Lipitor

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:14:03 +0100

On my essay about why we'll never see the like of Lipitor again, commenter staceyr, who helped launch the cholesterol drug at Parke-Davis, leaves the following thought: Reflecting on my time working on the Parke-Davis side of the Lipitor launch team, and having spent the ten years since ensconced in the belly of pharma from the agency side, I might suggest another reason why the Lipitor success will be difficult to duplicate: pharma’s often paralyzing aversion to risk coupled with an inability to adapt to healthcare industry changes at the pace that the healthcare industry is changing. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

ATORVASTATIN CALCIUMtablet, Film Coated [Watson Laboratories, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Dec 7, 2011 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Long-Term Statin Therapy in Patients With Systolic Heart Failure and Normal Cholesterol: Effects on Elevated Serum Markers of Collagen Turnover, Inflammation, and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide.

Clinical Therapeutics — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Long-term statin therapy reduced PIIINP in this small, selected HF population with elevated baseline levels. Further evaluation of statin therapy in the management of HF patients with elevated PIIINP is warranted. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00795912. PMID: 22154198 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Therapeutics)

Behaviour of pharmaceuticals in spiked lake sediments - Effects and interactions with benthic invertebrates.

Chemosphere — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Gilroy EA, Balakrishnan VK, Solomon KR, Sverko E, Sibley PK Abstract The behaviour and effects of atorvastatin (ATO), carbamazepine (CBZ), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) were investigated in spiked lake sediments, at concentrations up to 56.5mgkg(-1)dry weight (dw), with the benthic invertebrates Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca. Desorption constants were calculated in the presence and absence of animals, using linear isotherms, yielding K(d) values of 28.2, 189.0 and 125.1Lkg(-1) (ATO), 73.7, 201.7 and 263.2Lkg(-1) (CBZ), and 114.9, 114.2 and 519.2Lkg(-1) (EE2) for C. dilutus, H. azteca, and without animals, respectively. For ATO and CBZ, K(d) values were smaller in the presence of C. dilutus, indicating greater desorption to the overlying water from bioturbation, ...

Pfizer tactics to combat generic drugmakers

FT.com - Drugs and Healthcare — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:58:03 +0100

The controversial tactics that Pfizer is using to protect revenues from sales of Lipitor could become a model for the pharmaceutical industry (Source: FT.com - Drugs and Healthcare)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

FDA approves first generic version of Lipitor

MedWire News - Lipidology — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The first generic version of the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. (Source: MedWire News - Lipidology)

Teva to enter Lipitor generic market

Pharmaceutical Technology — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Teva Pharmaceutical has been given tentative approval for its generic version of Pfizer's blockbuster Lipitor by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing Teva to enter the lucrative market upon the expiry of Ranbaxy Laboratories' 180-day e… (Source: Pharmaceutical Technology)

Generic Lipitor Still More Expensive in U.S. than Brand Name Lipitor...

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:02:10 +0100

Americans can actually buy brand name Lipitor at a much lower price from verified foreign pharmacies than the new generic version now sold in the United States, according to PharmacyChecker.com.(PRWeb December 01, 2011)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/lipitor/generic/prweb9008008.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

Senators Demand Details on Lipitor Prescribing DealSenators Demand Details on Lipitor Prescribing Deal

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:07:11 +0100

The Senate Finance Committee and Special Committee on Aging have sent a letter to Pfizer, three pharmacy benefit managers, and two insurance companies seeking reassurance that their unusual agreement would not end up costing taxpayers and patients. Heartwire (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

One More Thought About Lipitor

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:40:06 +0100

With all the discussion about generic Lipitor this week here's one thought that deserves some consideration: the saga of Lipitor is the best case yet for the defense of the pharmaceutical industry. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Senators demand details on preferential Lipitor prescribing deal

theHeart.org — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:30:03 +0100

Health Highlights: Dec. 2, 2011

Primary Care News - Doctors Lounge — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:39:00 +0100

Many Americans Go Online to Pass Time: Survey Military Dogs Can Develop PTSD Payment for Some Bone Marrow Donors OK: Appeals Court Use of Pysch Meds High Among U.S. Foster Children Grape Tomatoes Recalled Senators Challenge Pfizer's Attempt to Block Generic Lipitor Sales (Source: Primary Care News - Doctors Lounge)

Senators Demand Pfizer Documents on Lipitor Deals

Drugs.com - Pharma News — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:35:08 +0100

Three prominent senators are demanding that drugmaker Pfizer Inc. produce documents about its deals with insurers to get them to cover its cholesterol blockbuster Lipitor, rather than two generic versions just hitting drugstores. Lipitor, the... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)

US senators seek details of Pfizer Lipitor deals

Modern Medicine — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three leading U.S. senators are inquiring into drugmaker Pfizer Inc's efforts to limit the sale of generic versions of its Lipitor cholesterol drug, which lost U.S. patent protection on Wednesday. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Rationale and design of a trial on the effect of high dose statins on cardiovascular risk in adults after successful coarctation repair

Contemporary Clinical Trials — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This large prospective, randomised, open label trial will establish the effect of HMG-coA-reductase inhibitors (Atorvastatin) on cardiovascular risk in adult patients after successful coarctation repair. (Source: Contemporary Clinical Trials)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

End Of The Road For Pfizer's Lipitor

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:00:00 +0100

The FDA approved today a generic version of Pfizer's Lipitor, one of the world's best selling drugs. Known pharmaceutically as atorvastatin calcium tablets, Lipitor is used to reduce cholesterol. The generic version will be manufactured by Ohm Laboratories in New Brunswick, N.J. Cholesterol itself is not a major problem and is, in fact, an essential nutrient for the body. However, if blood levels are high, it tends to signal the possibility of fatty deposits building up in the arteries, especially those in the heart, thus over time causing heart failure... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Senators seek details of Pfizer Lipitor deals

Reuters: Health — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:42:12 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three leading senators are inquiring into drugmaker Pfizer Inc's efforts to limit the sale of generic versions of its Lipitor cholesterol drug, which lost U.S. patent protection this week. (Source: Reuters: Health)

US senators seek details of Pfizer Lipitor deals

Reuters: Health — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:18:39 +0100

Senators Probe Efforts to Beat Back Generic Lipitor

MedPage Today Cardiovascular — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:26:02 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- Just as generic Lipitor (atorvastatin) hit the U.S. market Wednesday, three U.S. senators fired up an investigation into Pfizer's aggressive campaign to hang on to Lipitor's market share. (Source: MedPage Today Cardiovascular)

Teva Announces Tentative Approval of Generic Lipitor

Drugs.com - Pharma News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:12:01 +0100

JERUSALEM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 1, 2011 - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted tentative approval for the Company's Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Pfizer's Lipitor: How Big Pharma Blocks Reimbursement Of Generics

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:27:53 +0100

(Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

Ask for generic Lipitor, maybe get ... actual Lipitor

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:13:15 +0100

So after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, do we call this White Pill Thursday? Since midnight, Pfizer Inc.’s (NYSE:PFE) blockbuster cholesterol-reducing drug Lipitor is off patent, starting a wave of lower-cost generic drugs about to hit the market over the next year. And Lipitor itself appears to be coming down in price to compete with the generics – more on that in a bit. The coming wave of patent expirations has been eagerly awaited by Dublin-based drug distribution giant Cardinal Health Inc... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

FDA approves generic cholesterol-lowering Lipitor

USATODAY.com Health — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:32:51 +0100

India's largest maker of generic drugs won approval late Wednesday to sell a generic version of cholesterol blockbuster Lipitor. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

What Managed Care Thinks Of Pfizer And Its Lipitor Strategy

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:24:45 +0100

In a bid to retain as much revenue as possible from its Lipitor cholesterol pill, which lost patent protection in the US yesterday and now faces generic competition, Pfizer is undertaking several unusual strategies. These include offering incentives to health plans and pharmacy benefit managers to favor its brand-name drug (look here); providing consumers a co-pay card that lowers their cost significantly and partnering with a specialty pharmacy to mail Lipitor directly to patients. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

Pfizer Battles to Protect Lipitor Cash Cow

Pharma Marketing News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:23:49 +0100

Lipitor Won't Go Gentle Into that Good Generic Night. Pfizer is taking a number of steps to protect it's Lipitor franchise and it hopes that many patients currently taking Lipitor will remain loyal to the brand. (Source: Pharma Marketing News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

First Generic Lipitor Approved

The Doctors Lounge - Cardiology — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:02:00 +0100

Widely used statin drug helps lower bad cholesterol (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Cardiology)

Generic Atorvastatin Now Available in USGeneric Atorvastatin Now Available in US

Medscape Today Headlines — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:58:07 +0100

The loss of patent protection for Lipitor spells the end of an era for the world's best-selling drug. FDA Approvals (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Video: Lipitor cholesterol drug to go generic

Health News: CBSNews.com — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:24:03 +0100

Lipitor cholesterol pills will be sold in generic form, bringing the co-payment from $25 per month to $10 per month. Terrell Brown reports. (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

U.S. regulators approve generic Lipitor

CTV Health — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:50:47 +0100

India's largest maker of generic drugs won approval late Wednesday to sell a generic version of cholesterol blockbuster Lipitor. The world's top-selling drug ever lost U.S. patent protection earlier in the day. (Source: CTV Health)

Ranbaxy to Share Lipitor Profits

WSJ.com: Health — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:37:04 +0100

Ranbaxy Laboratories surprised investors when it said it would share with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries profits from six months of exclusive sales of a copy of Pfizer's blood cholesterol-lowering Lipitor in the U.S. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Generic atorvastatin now available in US

theHeart.org — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:30:36 +0100

The loss of patent protection for Lipitor spells the end of an era for the world's best-selling drug. (Source: theHeart.org)

FDA Approves First Generic Version of Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Lipitor

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:47:57 +0100

Source: Food and Drug Administration Related MedlinePlus Page: Cholesterol (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Cholesterol-Lowering Lipitor: FDA Okays First Generic Version

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:00:00 +0100

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Wednesday that it has approved the first generic version of the world's top-selling medicine, the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin), currently marketed by Pfizer Inc. Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, India's largest pharmaceutical company, has gained FDA approval to make generic atorvastatin calcium tablets in 10 milligram, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg strengths. The tablets will be made by Ohm Laboratories in New Brunswick, New Jersey, says the FDA... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Senators Question Plan to Stall Generic Lipitor

NYT Health — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:03:03 +0100

Three senators asked Pfizer to detail their agreements to block prescriptions of generic versions of Lipitor, saying they were against the idea of drug makers manipulating the marketplace. (Source: NYT Health)

News in brief

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 10, 889 (2011). doi:10.1038/nrd3609 End of the Lipitor eraPfizer's atorvastatin (Lipitor) — which cumulatively grossed over US$130 billion in sales since its approval in 1996 — came off patent on 30 November.The lowdown: Atorvastatin was first synthesized in 1985 by Bruce Roth, who at the time (Source: Nature Reviews Drug Discovery)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

First generic version of cholesterol-lowering Lipitor approved

Drug Topics - Pharmacy News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

FDA approved the first generic version of the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium tablets). (Source: Drug Topics - Pharmacy News)

Generic Lipitor Makes Its Debut

Physician's First Watch current issue — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Physician's First Watch current issue)

Pfizer is nursing a fat lip(itor)

Health Facts and Fears — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Pfizer’s exclusive right to sell the blockbuster drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) ended yesterday. With the expiration of Pfizer’s patent, the door is now open for generics to enter the market. Given that Lipitor earned $13 billion at its peak, and that 3 million Americans currently take the cholesterol-lowering drug, that market is enormous. (Source: Health Facts and Fears)

Effects of atorvastatin pretreatment on infarct size in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

American Heart Journal — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Pretreatment with high-dose atorvastatin followed by further treatment for 5 days did not reduce infarct size measured by single-photon emission computed tomography in patients undergoing primary PCI. (Source: American Heart Journal)

First generic version of cholesterol-lowering Lipitor approved

Drug Topics - Top News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

FDA approved the first generic version of the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium tablets). (Source: Drug Topics - Top News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Ranbaxy Launches Cholesterol Drug Lipitor in U.S.

WSJ.com: Health — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:34:31 +0100

Ranbaxy Laboratories said it has launched a generic version of Pfizer's top-selling Lipitor cholesterol-lowering drug in the U.S. following an agreement with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

Ranbaxy gets USFDA nod to sell Lipitor

The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:23:38 +0100

The approval marks an end to months of uncertainty surrounding approval of the drug which could earn Ranbaxy over $500 mn. Stock quote (Source: The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News)

Lipitor is Dead. Long Live Lipitor!

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:40:22 +0100

There are a number of pieces out today about the advent of generic versions of Lipitor, the LDL-cholesterol-lowering drug that has been the world’s best-selling medicine of all time. I’d like to highlight two pieces out today on the subject, but before that, I want to express thanks to Sen. Orrin Hatch (R., Utah) and Rep. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.) for helping to design the world’s most innovative and efficient pharmaceutical market. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

Pfizer aims to keep one-third of Lipitor pie

Reuters: Health — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:13:14 +0100

(Reuters) - As cholesterol fighter Lipitor goes generic, its maker Pfizer Inc is hoping to hold onto perhaps a third of the 3 million Americans who take the biggest-selling drug of all time. (Source: Reuters: Health)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Watson Pharma launches Lipitor generic

The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:09:13 +0100

Watson’s launch raises questions on India’s third-largest drug company Ranbaxy Laboratories’ revenues from the drug. (Source: The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News)

Ranbaxy gets nod to sell generic Lipitor in the US

Pharmaceutical Technology — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

India's Ranbaxy Laboratories has been granted approval to manufacture and market its generic version of cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor in the US. (Source: Pharmaceutical Technology)

Lipitor is Dead. Long Live Lipitor!

Forbes.com Health News — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:25:33 +0100

There are a number of pieces out today about the advent of generic versions of Lipitor, the LDL-cholesterol-lowering drug that has been the world's best-selling medicine of all time. I'd like to highlight two pieces out today on the subject, but before that, I want to express thanks to Sen. Orrin Hatch (R., Utah) and Rep. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.) for helping to design the world's most innovative and efficient pharmaceutical market. (Source: Forbes.com Health News)

Ranbaxy set to get USFDA nod for Lipitor generic launch

The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:51:01 +0100

"The FDA has been very positive about Ranbaxy's intent to launch the product and we are working towards meeting the launch timeline", a person said. (Source: The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News)

Generic Lipitor: New Era for Statins?

MedPage Today Public Health — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:29:07 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- After a long and successful run as a branded statin, Lipitor (atorvastatin) became available as a generic on Wednesday. The unbranding of Lipitor could unwittingly help usher in a new era of more widespread prescribing of statins. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Watson Launches Generic Lipitor

WSJ.com: Health — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:21:55 +0100

Watson Pharmaceuticals confirmed its launch of generic Lipitor, the blockbuster cholesterol-lowering drug from Pfizer that lost patent protection Wednesday. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

Generic Atorvastatin Hits the Market

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:31:51 +0100

The first generic version of Lipitor (atorvastatin) became available today as the exclusive patent held by Pfizer finally expired. Lipitor was by far the most successful prescription drug in history. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

Watson starts selling generic Lipitor in US, Ranbaxy mum

The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:23:00 +0100

US-based Watson Pharmaceuticals said it has launched in US market the generic version of cholesterol lowering drug Lipitor following the expiry of Pfizer's patent. (Source: The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News)

Why There Will Never Be Another Drug Like Lipitor

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:38:54 +0100

Today, the U.S. patent expires on the Pfizer’s Lipitor, the best-selling drug of all time. The first generic versions will go for sale, marking the end of a brand that has dominated the drug industry, lowered the cholesterol of tens of millions of patients, and generated more in annual sales than Major League Baseball or the entire box office of U.S. movies. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)