MedWorm: Statin Therapy

PRAVASTATIN SODIUMtablet [International Labs, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Feb 7, 2012 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

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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...

Do Statins Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Arthritis?Do Statins Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Arthritis?

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:59:58 +0100

A study looks at the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with arthritis, a group at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Medscape Rheumatology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Men, Women and Statins

MedlinePlus Health News — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:26:26 +0100

Source: HealthDay - Related MedlinePlus Pages: Heart Diseases--Prevention, Statins, Women's Health (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Safety guidelines often omitted from drug websites, study finds

Hospital IT Europe — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:49:00 +0100

Websites advertising statins for sale contain little information about safe use of medicine (Source: Hospital IT Europe)

Safety guidelines often omitted from drug website, study finds

Pharmacy Europe — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:41:00 +0100

Websites advertising statins for sale contain little information about safe use of medicine (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

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Strategies to preserve the use of statins in patients with previous muscular adverse effects.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:07:10 +0100

Conclusion In patients intolerant to statin therapy due to myalgia or other muscular adverse effects, strategies such as alternative statin dosing schedules, coenzyme Q10 or vitamin D supplementation, and conversion to RYR or an alternative statin may allow some patients to continue to receive the benefits of lipid-lowering therapy. PMID: 22302254 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Long‐term results of cephalad arteries percutanoeus transluminal angioplasty with stent implantation (The CAPTAS registry)

Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: CAS is safe and successful procedure with low early and long‐term adverse events. Special attention should be put on patients with bilateral and left ICA stenoses. If possible, longer stents should be applied. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions)

Effect of Atorvastatin Monotherapy and Low-Dose Atorvastatin/Ezetimibe Combination on Fasting and Postprandial Triglycerides in Combined Hyperlipedemia

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, these results demonstrated a potential beneficial effect of low-dose atorvastatin/ezetimibe combination treatment on postprandial TG control after comparable LDL-C lowering in patients with combined hyperlipidemia. (Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics)

A risk score for predicting mortality in patients with asymptomatic mild to moderate aortic stenosis

Heart — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion A new seven factor model for risk stratification of patients with mild to moderate asymptomatic AS identified a high risk group for total mortality with good discrimination properties. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT 00092677. (Source: Heart)

Statin use and outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage: Case-control study and meta-analysis

Neurology — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Neurology)

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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)

Websites advertising statins to the general public of ‘poor quality’

MedWire News - Lipidology — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Websites advertising cholesterol-lowering drugs are “generally of poor quality,” suggests a meta-analysis of internet sites advertising statins for sale to the general public. (Source: MedWire News - Lipidology)

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs From Website Advertising Risky For Purchasers

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

A new study published in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety reveals that internet sites selling prescription statins directly to consumers are widespread, and that most websites advertising statins for sale to the general public contain very poor levels of information relevant to safe use of the medicine and side effects. Researchers led by Professor David Brown, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, simulated a customer search and evaluation of 184 retrieved sites using evaluation tools focusing on quality and safe medicine use... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Statin therapy ‘equally effective’ in men and women

MedWire News - Lipidology — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:44:48 +0100

Results of a meta-analysis show that statin therapy is associated with significant decreases in cardiovascular events in both women and men, suggesting that statin therapy should be used without regard to gender. (Source: MedWire News - Lipidology)

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)

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It's 'Buyer Beware' When Getting Statins Off the Internet

MedicineNet Cholesterol General — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: It's 'Buyer Beware' When Getting Statins Off the InternetCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/2/2012 2:06:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 2/3/2012 (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)

Most Web sites selling statins chaotic

Health News - UPI.com — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:21:45 +0100

PORTSMOUTH, England, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Internet sites selling drugs to consumers for use in lowering cholesterol levels are widespread -- and most provide poor information, British researchers say. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Bias in Observational Studies of Prevalent Users: Lessons for Comparative Effectiveness Research From a Meta-Analysis of Statins

American Journal of Epidemiology — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are usually the preferred strategy with which to generate evidence of comparative effectiveness, but conducting an RCT is not always feasible. Though observational studies and RCTs often provide comparable estimates, the questioning of observational analyses has recently intensified because of randomized-observational discrepancies regarding the effect of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy on coronary heart disease. Reanalyses of observational data that excluded prevalent users of hormone replacement therapy led to attenuated discrepancies, which begs the question of whether exclusion of prevalent users should be generally recommended. In the current study, the authors evaluated the effect of excluding prevalent users of statins in a meta-analysis ...

Meta-analysis: Effect of statins on ventricular tachyarrhythmia, cardiac arrest, and sudden cardiac death

NeLM - News — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: European Heart Journal Area: News The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that statins have a modest beneficial effect on sudden cardiac death. However, previous suggestions of a substantial protective effect on ventricular arrhythmic events were not supported by the analysis. The researchers carried out a meta-analysis of all large-scale trials of a statin vs. a control, or of a more vs. a less intensive statin regimen, which collected, but not necessarily published, data on ventricular arrhythmic events. They sought to estimate the effects separately on ventricular tachyarrhythmia, cardiac arrest, and sudden cardiac death. A search of the literature up until October 2010 considered randomised controlled trials comparing statin with no statin or comparing intensive...

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Effects of renin-angiotensin blockers/inhibitors and statins on mortality and functional impairment in polypathological patients.

European Journal of Internal Medicine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:26:12 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The prescription of statins, alone or in combination with other drugs, may impact the survival and functional decline in polypathological patients. Further prospective blinded randomised assays are needed to confirm these observations. PMID: 22284251 [PubMed - in process] (Source: European Journal of Internal Medicine)

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)

Room for manoeuvre when prescribing statins to dyslipidaemic patients on antiretroviral therapy

HIV Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:45:47 +0100

(Source: HIV Medicine)

Atorvastatin: Behavioural adverse effects: 2 case reports

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

(Source: Reactions)

Daptomycin/simvastatin interaction: Rhabdomyolysis in an elderly patient: case report

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

(Source: Reactions)

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Sepsis Immunopathology: Perspectives of Monitoring and Modulation of the Immune Disturbances

Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:11:05 +0100

Abstract Septic syndromes are the main cause of death in the intensive care units and although the mortality rates is slowly decreasing, the occurrence of the disease has been increasing. The pathogenesis of sepsis includes countless disturbances of the host immune system starting with a harmful, infection-triggered exaggerated inflammatory cascade, followed by the development of an immunoparalysis state. The latter contributes to the failure in pathogen eradication and leads to secondary infections, which are often the cause of fatal complications. In this review, we consider different novel therapeutic strategies for restoration of immune function. The use of glucocorticoids, intravenous immunoglobulins, heparin, recombinant human activated protein C, granulocyte macroph...

It’s ‘Buyer Beware’ When Getting Statins Off the Internet

Pharmacy News - Doctors Lounge — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0100

Safety information, side-effect warnings are often lacking, British study finds (Source: Pharmacy News - Doctors Lounge)

It's 'Buyer Beware' When Getting Statins Off the Internet

U.S. News - Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0100

Safety information, side-effect warnings are often lacking, British study finds (Source: U.S. News - Health)

It's 'Buyer Beware' When Getting Statins off the Internet

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0100

Safety information, side-effect warnings are often lacking, British study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Drug Safety, Internet Safety, Statins (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Meta-Analysis of Statin Effects in Women Versus Men

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:55:34 +0100

Conclusions: Statin therapy is associated with significant decreases in cardiovascular events and in all-cause mortality in women and men. Statin therapy should be used in appropriate patients without regard to sex. (Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

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Controversy and Consensus About Statin Use: It Is Not About the Sex⁎

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:55:34 +0100

If statistics is a science of probability then Sir William Osler expressed the limitations of its applications when he articulated “Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability” (). Despite widespread consensus about statin use for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in both sexes, there has been substantial debate with regard to the use of statins for primary prevention among women. Much of the discourse has centered on the fact that women have not participated in primary prevention trials to that extent that men have; therefore, less-definitive conclusions can be drawn about the likelihood of benefits and risks among women. The short-term absolute risk of a future cardiovascular event among women is substantially lower than men in a primary prev...

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)

Websites advertising cholesterol-lowering drugs of poor quality

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Wiley-Blackwell) A new study published in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety reveals that internet sites selling prescription statins directly to consumers are widespread, and that most websites advertising statins for sale to the general public contain very poor levels of information relevant to safe use of the medicine and side effects. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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)

Effects of n-3 fatty acids on major cardiovascular events in statin users and non-users with a history of myocardial infarction

NeLM - News — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study assessed whether statins modify the effects of n-3 fatty acids on major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI). Data were analysed on patients who participated in the Alpha Omega Trial who were divided into consistent statin users (n = 3740) and consistent statin non-users (n = 413). The effects of an additional daily amount of 400 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 2 g ?-linolenic acid (ALA), or both on major cardiovascular events were evaluated. The following findings were evaluated: . 495 (13%) statin users and 62 (15%) statin non-users developed a major cardiovascular event. . In statin users, an additional amount of n-3 fatty acids did not reduc...

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Meta-analysis of statin effects in women versus men

NeLM - News — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: J Am Coll Cardiol Area: News Published data suggest that statins might not be as effective in women as in men in decreasing cardiovascular events. This meta-analysis aimed to determine if there was such a gender based difference. Researcher identified 18 randomized clinical trials of statins with sex-specific outcomes (n = 141,235, 40,275 women, 21,468 cardiovascular events) and noted the following findings: . The cardiovascular event rate was lower among those randomised to statins than to control (low-dose statin 4 studies, placebo 11 studies, usual care 3 studies) and was similar in women and men (odds ratio: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.75 to 0.89; p < 0.0001, and 0.77, 0.71 to 0.83, p < 0.0001, respectively). . The benefit of statins was ...

Pitavastatin beats pravastatin at improving albuminuria in diabetes

MedWire News - Diabetes — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Pitavastatin is more effective than pravastatin at reducing albuminuria in Type 2 diabetes patients with early-stage diabetic nephropathy, show study findings. (Source: MedWire News - Diabetes)

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)

Vytorin’s label gets makeover to include SHARP results

Cardiovascular Business News — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:06:42 +0100

The FDA has approved an updated label for Merck’s Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin) that includes results from the SHARP trial. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

Meta-Analysis Confirms Benefits Of Statins In Women

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:59:12 +0100

Although clinical trials have consistently found a beneficial effects for statins, some critics have questioned the strength of the evidence in women, who are often under-represented in clinical trials. A large new meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology provides the best evidence yet that the relative reductions in events observed in men also occur in women, but doesn't provide evidence about the absolute risk benefit in women. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

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Statins increase diabetes in postmenopausal women by seventy percent

NaturalNews.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0100

The result of a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine finds that statin use in postmenopausal women significantly increases the risk of developing diabetes. In spite of this damning evidence, researchers do not recommend that the American Diabetes Association... (Source: NaturalNews.com)

[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)

VYTORIN (Ezetimibe And Simvastatin) Tablet [MSP Distribution Services (C) LLC]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Feb 1, 2012 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

PRAVASTATIN SODIUMtablet [Cobalt Laboratories Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Feb 1, 2012 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Med Sci Monit 2012; 18(2):CR72-77 "Persistence of initial oral antidiabetic treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus"

Medical Science Monitor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The persistence of initial treatment with metformin and/or sulphonylureas is far from optimal. Better diabetic care and continuous patient education should be encouraged to achieve higher persistence of oral antidiabetic treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes. (Source: Medical Science Monitor)

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Effect of simvastatin on development of obliterative airway disease: An experimental study

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Simvastatin treatment inhibited adaptive T-cell alloimmune activation as depicted by reduced expression of lymphocyte chemokine and pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA and reduced allograft infiltration by inflammatory cells. Importantly, simvastatin inhibits the development of OAD and this effect is partially mediated by increased nitric oxide activity. These results suggest a role for simvastatin in the prevention of obliterative bronchiolitis. (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation)

Statin treatment for coronary artery plaque composition based on intravascular ultrasound radiofrequency data analysis

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Both pitavastatin and pravastatin altered coronary artery plaque composition by significantly decreasing the fibrofatty plaque component and increasing the calcified plaque component. (Source: American Heart Journal)

Frequency and impact of lifestyle modification in patients with coronary artery disease: The Japanese Coronary Artery Disease (JCAD) Study

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Exercise and diet interventions have a beneficial impact on all-cause mortality in patients with CAD, yet these interventions are surprisingly infrequent. Lifestyle interventions should be more actively promoted. (Source: American Heart Journal)

Very early initiation of statin therapy and mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Acute Cardiac Care — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In patients admitted to hospital for ACS, statins may reduce hospital mortality when treatment is initiated on the first day of hospitalization. PMID: 22295883 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acute Cardiac Care)

Plasma Desmoplakin I Biomarker Of Vascular Recurrence After Ischemic Stroke

Journal of Neurochemistry — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Increased desmoplakin I levels, determined within 1 to 3 months of the first ischemic stroke, could be a biomarker for statin responsiveness against a new vascular event in post‐ischemic stroke patients taking statins early (1 to 3 months) after the ischemic stroke.© 2012 The Authors Journal of Neurochemistry © 2012 International Society for Neurochemistry (Source: Journal of Neurochemistry)

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Additional experimental evidence that statins protect against acute lung injury.

Respiratory Care — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Siempos II, Kopterides P, Armaganidis A PMID: 22304804 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Respiratory Care)

Dual Effects of Statins on Aβ Metabolism: Upregulation of the Degradation of APP-CTF and Aβ Clearance

Neurodegenerative Diseases — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:00:00 +0100

Neurodegenerative Dis (DOI:10.1159/000334534) (Source: Neurodegenerative Diseases)

Statins Work As Well On Females As Males

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0100

Statins given to female patients are as effective in preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular events as they are for men, researchers from Boston and New York reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Cardiovascular events include stroke, heart attack, and angina. William J. Kostis, Ph.D., M.D., from Harvard Medical School, and team set out to determine what impact statins might have on reducing cardiovascular event risk in male and female patients. They gathered and analyzed data on 18 clinical trials which had gender-specific outcomes... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Study: Statin therapy equally effective in women, men

USATODAY.com Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:09:18 +0100

Statin therapy is equally effective for decreasing cardiovascular events in women and men, according to a meta-analysis. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Statins work as well for women as men: study

Reuters: Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:18:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Despite doubts raised by some studies, a new research review suggests that cholesterol-lowering statins offer as much protection for women as for men. (Source: Reuters: Health)

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Health roundup: Brazilian fallout, pain

USATODAY.com Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:14:33 +0100

Company must warn that popular hair-straightener emits formaldehyde; obese people feel more pain and statins work for women. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Video: Statins good for women too, study shows

Health News: CBSNews.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:49:50 +0100

New research indicates the cholesterol drugs known as statins are just as effective for women as men in treating heart disease. CBS News medical contributor Dr. Holly Phillips discusses the new study and what it means for women. (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

Study: Statins work as well for women as men

Health News: CBSNews.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:45:20 +0100

Research reviewed 18 trials, found drugs decreased risk of heart disease, stroke and death about 20 percent in men and women (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

Statins Equally Effective in Women and Men

MedicineNet Cholesterol General — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Statins Equally Effective in Women and MenCategory: Health NewsCreated: 1/30/2012 6:06:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 1/31/2012 (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)

The association of statins and taxanes: an efficient combination trigger of cancer cell apoptosis

British Journal of Cancer AOP — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: J Follet, L Corcos, G Baffet, F Ezan, F Morel, B Simon & C Le Jossic-Corcos (Source: British Journal of Cancer AOP)

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...

Optimizing Statin Treatment Decisions for Diabetes Patients in the Presence of Uncertain Future Adherence

Medical Decision Making — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Adherence-improving interventions can increase expected QALYs by as much as 1.5 years. Given suboptimal adherence to statins, it is optimal to delay the start time for statins; however, changing the start time alone does not lead to significant changes in costs or QALYs. (Source: Medical Decision Making)

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Statins for the goose and the gander

Health Facts and Fears — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

When it comes to treating high cholesterol and its consequences, it seems that statins don’t discriminate by gender — even though men have a much higher rate of cardiovascular disease. (Source: Health Facts and Fears)

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)

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...

Statins Reduce Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in WomenStatins Reduce Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in Women

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:21:47 +0100

Based on the meta-analysis, which included 18 clinical trials, investigators conclude that the benefits of statin therapy for the reduction of cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality extend to both men and women. Heartwire (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Statins Equally Effective in Women and Men

Pharmacy News - Doctors Lounge — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0100

Cholesterol-lowering drugs reduce cardiovascular events, death for both sexes, researchers say (Source: Pharmacy News - Doctors Lounge)

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Statins reduce cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in women: Meta-analysis

theHeart.org — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0100

Statins Equally Effective in Women and Men

U.S. News - Health — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0100

Cholesterol-lowering drugs reduce cardiovascular events, death for both sexes, researchers say (Source: U.S. News - Health)

Statins and Long-Term Safety: An Essential Review for the Primary Care Physician

Consultant Live — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100

(Source: Consultant Live)

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)

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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))

First Combination Drug for Type 2 Diabetes and Hyperlipidemia

AJN — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:56:06 +0100

* Juvisync is the first approved fixed-dose combination drug to treat type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia. It combines the anti-hyperglycemic drug sitagliptin (Januvia) with the antilipid drug simvastatin (Zocor). * Various dose combinations will be available. (Source: AJN)

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...

The Role of Statin Therapy for Primary Prevention: What is the Evidence?

Current Atherosclerosis Reports — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:50:52 +0100

Abstract Almost one third of annual worldwide mortality is attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD), making it the leading cause of global death. Dyslipidemia is a well-established risk factor for CVD and plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Statins, which inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, have emerged as the most effective therapy to date against atherothrombotic CVD. Although their role in secondary prevention of CVD is undisputed, it remains a topic for debate as to how widely they should be used for primary prevention. The Framingham Risk Score and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines are the cornerstones for the current gu...

Pleiotropic Effects of Statins: The Role of Eicosanoid Production

Current Atherosclerosis Reports — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:50:51 +0100

Abstract The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) have potent anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory and anti-platelet effects that are independent of the lipid-lowering effects. These non–lipid-lowering or pleiotropic effects are dependent on HMG-CoA reductase inhibition in tissues other than the liver. In animal models, high-dose statins upregulate cytosolic phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase-2, leading to increased production of prostacyclin and 15-deoxy-PGJ2. In addition, statins activate protein kinase A, which phosphorylates 5-lipoxygenase, resulting in decreased production of the pro-inflammatory leukotrienes and increased production of 15-epi-lipoxin A4, an eicosanoid with potent anti-inflammatory and inflammation-resolution pro...

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Educational Intervention Helps Doctors and Patients Split Statin Tablets to Save Money for Patients and Payers

MedlinePlus Health News — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:31:57 +0100

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Related MedlinePlus Page: Statins (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

[Correspondence] Coronary artery calcium for guiding statin treatment

LANCET — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Although of interest and hypothesis-generating, the MESA report by Michael Blaha and colleagues (Aug 20, p 684) is not a randomised trial and thus it is impossible to conclude that coronary artery calcification can be used to target patients who “derive the most and the least absolute benefit from statin therapy”. (Source: LANCET)

[Correspondence] Coronary artery calcium for guiding statin treatment – Authors' reply

LANCET — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Paul Ridker questions the ability of coronary artery calcium to identify appropriate patients for statin therapy. However, his implication that increased coronary artery calcium is a marker for poor response to statins is not supported by the available data. (Source: LANCET)

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)

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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)

Statin Therapy Is Associated With Improved Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Symptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease Undergoing Endovascular Intervention

Journal of Vascular Surgery — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:25:16 +0100

Statin therapy has proven clinical benefits in patients undergoing endovascular interventions for cerebral, abdominal, and renal artery disease, and critical limb ischemia (CLI). The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of statin therapy on all patients undergoing peripheral intervention for symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). (Source: Journal of Vascular Surgery)

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Dose-Related Effect of Statins in Venous Thrombosis Risk Reduction

Journal of Vascular Surgery — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:25:15 +0100

Antiplatelet therapy and statin therapy are associated with reductions in the occurrence of venous thromboembolisim (VTE) with a dose related response of statins. Many of the same inflammatory mediators are elevated in patients with atherosclerosis and venous thrombosis (van Aken BE et al. Thromb Haemost 2000;83:536-9, and Sorensen HT. Lancet 2007;370:1773-9). Patients with a diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism have higher risk of cardiovascular events over the next 20 years. In addition, patients with myocardial infarction or stroke have an increased risk of VTE within 3 months of diagnosis (Sorensen HT et al. J Thromb Haemost 2009;7:521-528) and patients with the metabolic syndrome and those with elevated levels of low density lipoprotein are also at increased ris...

Rarity of anti–3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase antibodies in statin users, including those with self‐limited musculoskeletal side effects

Arthritis Care and Research — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:29:30 +0100

ConclusionThe majority of patients with and without statin exposure, including those with self‐limited statin intolerance, do not develop anti‐HMGCR antibodies. Therefore, anti‐HMGCR antibodies are highly specific for those with an autoimmune myopathy. (Source: Arthritis Care and Research)

Statins May Stave Off Liver Cancer in People With Hepatitis B

MedicineNet Cancer General — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Statins May Stave Off Liver Cancer in People With Hepatitis BCategory: Health NewsCreated: 1/26/2012 8:06:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 1/27/2012 (Source: MedicineNet Cancer General)

MeReC Bulletin: Implementing key therapeutic topics - NSAIDS, antibiotics, and inhaled corticosteroids in asthma

NeLM - News — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: NPC Area: News This Bulletin is the first of three MeReC Bulletins which support the Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) agenda. The bulletin focuses on three of the key prescribing topics outlined in the NPC document, Key therapeutic topics - Medicines management options for local implementation. The topics included in this Bulletin are: . Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) . Antibiotic prescribing - especially quinolones and cephalosporins . High dose inhaled corticosteroids in asthma Topics to be included in the second bulletin are: antipsychotics in dementia; statins and ezetimibe; and hypnotics. The third bulletin will cover hypoglycaemic agents; long-acting insulin analogues; and self-monit...

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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)

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy and nephrotic syndrome: outcome in the era of evidence-based therapy

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

Conclusions. Using an approach of widespread ACEI/ARB treatment and targeted IS, 76% of patients can expect to have achieved at least one PR by 5 years. Achievement of remission is the factor most strongly associated with reduced risk of RRT and death. Treatment with IS is associated with significant treatment complications. (Source: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation)

Statins May Stave Off Liver Cancer in People With Hepatitis B

The Doctors Lounge - Health News — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:15:56 +0100

Study found lower risk of developing disease for people taking these cholesterol-cutting drugs (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Health News)

Statin use among older women may increase DM risk

Modern Medicine — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:07:57 +0100

Older women who use statins may be at an increased risk for diabetes mellitus, according to the results of a study published online January 9, in the Archives of Internal Medicine. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Statins May Stave Off Liver Cancer in People with Hepatitis B

MedlinePlus Health News — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Study found lower risk of developing disease for people taking these cholesterol-cutting drugs Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Hepatitis B, Liver Cancer, Statins (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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Statins May Stave Off Liver Cancer in People With Hepatitis B

Cancercompass News: Other Cancer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Study found lower risk of developing disease for people taking these cholesterol-cutting drugs (Source: Cancercompass News: Other Cancer)

Impact of CYP2D6 polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of lovastatin in Chinese subjects

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:45:55 +0100

Conclusion This study demonstrates that CYP2D6 polymorphisms appeared to influence the disposition of lovastatin lactone in these subjects. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory PharmacogeneticsPages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s00228-011-1202-5Authors Ophelia Qi Ping Yin, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong KongValiant Wah Lun Mak, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong KongMiao Hu, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong KongBenny Siu Pong Fok, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Ho...

Impact of current treatments on liver disease, glucose metabolism and cardiovascular risk in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials

Diabetologia — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:44:13 +0100

Conclusions/interpretation Weight loss is safe, and improves liver histology and cardio-metabolic profile. For patients not responding to lifestyle intervention, pioglitazone improves histological disease activity, slows fibrosis progression and extensively ameliorates cardio-metabolic endpoints. Further randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adequate size and duration will assess long-term safety and efficacy of proposed treatments on clinical outcomes. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Systematic reviewPages 1-20DOI 10.1007/s00125-011-2446-4Authors G. Musso, Gradenigo Hospital, C.so Regina Margherita 8, 10132 Turin, ItalyM. Cassader, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, ItalyF. Rosina, Gradenigo Hospital, C.so Regina Margherita 8, 10132...

FDA approves updated label but not new indication for Vytorin®(ezetimibe/simvastatin) to incorporate data from SHARP

NeLM - News — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: BioSpace , Reuters Health News Area: News The FDA has approved an updated label for Vytorin® (ezetimibe/simvastatin) that includes results from the Study of Heart and Renal Protection (SHARP). In SHARP, Vytorin 10/20 mg lowered LDL cholesterol in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD), and major vascular events were reduced in the treatment group compared to placebo. Merck had been hoping to win approval for use to prevent heart attacks and strokes in patients with CKD. Because SHARP studied the combination of simvastatin and ezetimibe compared with placebo, it was not designed to assess the independent contributions of each drug to the observed effect; therefore the study's efficacy results have not been incorporated into the label for ezetimibe. ...

Endothelial Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis: Focus on Novel Therapeutic Approaches.

Atherosclerosis — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This article reviews the current knowledge of the pathophysiological events contributing to endothelial dysfunction as well as several established and novel treatment options to reverse those changes along with the discussion of recent patents. PMID: 22280336 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Atherosclerosis)

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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...)

Oxidative stress improvement is associated with increased levels of taurine in CKD patients undergoing lipid-lowering therapy.

Amino Acids — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Zinellu A, Sotgia S, Loriga G, Deiana L, Satta AE, Carru C Abstract Lipid-lowering therapy has been reported to reduce several oxidative stress (OS) markers in hypercholesterolemia. Since OS is frequently associated with renal dysfunction, we aimed to investigate the effect of hypolipidemic drugs on oxidative stress and plasma taurine (Tau), a sulfur amino acid with a marked antioxidant effect, in chronic kidney disease (CKD). We enrolled 30 CKD randomized to receive three different hypolipidemic regimens for 12 months: simvastatin alone (40 mg/day) or ezetimibe/simvastatin combined therapy (10/20 or 10/40 mg/day). Low molecular weight (LMW) thiols including homocysteine, cysteine, cysteinylglycine, glutathione, and glutamylcysteine in their reduced and total form and o...

FDA Allows Vytorin Labeling for Use in Kidney Disease

MedPage Today Public Health — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:22:24 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- The FDA has approved new labeling for the single-tablet combination of ezetimibe-simvastatin (Vytorin), a cholesterol-lowering drug, for use in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

Statins, inflammation and deep vein thrombosis: a systematic review

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:13:38 +0100

Abstract Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. The 2009 JUPITER trial showed a significant decrease in DVT in non-hyperlipidemic patients, with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, treated with rosuvastatin. The effects of statins on thrombosis are unclear, prompting this literature review. A literature search was performed (1950 to February 2011) with MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PUBMED databases including the following keywords: “statins”, “hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors”, “VTE”, “PE”, “DVT”, and either “anti-coagulation” or “inflammation”. Editorials, reviews, case reports, meta-analysis and duplicates were excluded. Inflammatory biomarkers of DVT, include interleukin (IL)-6,...

FDA Rejects Proposed Chronic Kidney Disease Indication for Vytorin

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:02:57 +0100

The FDA rejected a new indication for Merck's Vytorin and Zetia (ezetimibe plus simvastatin and ezetimibe alone) in chronic kidney disease patients. As a consolation prize, however, the agency approved a new label for Vytorin that will incorporate the results of SHARP (Study of Heart and Renal Protection), which found that Vytorin reduced the incidence of major vascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

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New FDA Approved Labeling For Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin) Includes Results From the Study of Heart and Renal Protection (SHARP) in Patients With Moderate to Severe Chronic Kidney Disease

Drugs.com - New Drug Approvals — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:01:37 +0100

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 25, 2012 - Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an updated label for... (Source: Drugs.com - New Drug Approvals)

Statins Reduce Short‐ and Long‐Term Mortality Associated With Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Impact of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation and Statin Therapy on Survival

Clinical Cardiology — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions:POAF is an independent predictor of both short‐ and long‐term mortality following CABG. Moreover, statin therapy was independently associated with better survival in patients with POAF.Dr. Pibarot holds the Canada Research Chair in Valvular Heart Diseases, Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Dr. Mathieu is a research scholar from the Fonds de Recherches en Santé du Québec, Montreal, Canada. Dr. Després has served as a speaker for Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Solvay Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, and Pfizer Canada Inc.; has received research funding from Eli Lilly Canada; and has served on the advisory boards of Novartis, Theratechnologies, Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd., and Sanofi‐Aventis. The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of in...

Management of postoperative atrial fibrillation

Journal of Anesthesia — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:14:08 +0100

Abstract The impact of postoperative atrial fibrillation (PAF) on patient outcomes has prompted intense investigation into the optimal methods for prevention and treatment of this complication. In the prevention of PAF, β-blockers and amiodarone are particularly effective and are recommended by guidelines. However, their use requires caution due to the possibility of drug-related adverse effects. Aside from these risks, perioperative prophylactic treatment with statins seems to be effective for preventing PAF and is associated with a low incidence of adverse effects. PAF can be treated by rhythm control, heart-rate control, and antithrombotic therapy. For the purpose of heart rate control, β-blockers, calcium-channel antagonists, and amiodarone are used. In patients with...

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)

New drug targets in depression: inflammatory, cell-mediated immune, oxidative and nitrosative stress, mitochondrial, antioxidant, and neuroprogressive pathways. And new drug candidates—Nrf2 activators and GSK-3 inhibitors

Inflammopharmacology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:28:49 +0100

Abstract This paper reviews new drug targets in the treatment of depression and new drug candidates to treat depression. Depression is characterized by aberrations in six intertwined pathways: (1) inflammatory pathways as indicated by increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines, e.g. interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor α. (2) Activation of cell-mediated immune pathways as indicated by an increased production of interferon γ and neopterin. (3) Increased reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and damage by oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS), including lipid peroxidation, damage to DNA, proteins and mitochondria. (4) Lowered levels of key antioxidants, such as coenzyme Q10, zinc, vitamin E, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase. (5) Damage to mitoc...

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Approach to Lipid Therapy in the Patient With Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:27:16 +0100

Opinion statement Hyperlipidemia increases the incidence of atherosclerotic vascular disease and is associated with greater rates of recurrent cardiovascular events among individuals with established vascular disease. Several large population studies have confirmed the link between all cholesterol components (including elevated low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and reduced high-density lipoprotein [HDL] levels) with coronary heart disease and other manifestations of systemic atherosclerosis. In addition, landmark clinical trials have clearly established that lowering LDL cholesterol levels with statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) can lower recurrent cardiovascular events by nearly 25%. The benefits of altering non-LDL...

Terry Jones: 'I took statins, but I think it reduced my sex drive, so I stopped'

the Mail online | Health — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:13:01 +0100

The Monty Python star, 69, on being obsessed with Jane Austen, never suffering from hangovers and what kept him awake for years. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

The Reply

The American Journal of Medicine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:45:01 +0100

We would like to thank Salamon et al for their interest in our article. They raise 2 very interesting points. The first is the distribution of medications known to affect cardiovascular mortality, such as statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, and aspirin in our study population, and the possible impact that these variables might have on our results when included in the multivariate analysis. The distributions of baseline use of ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, aspirin, and statins by constipation category are shown in the . The prevalence of use of these medications was slightly higher with more severe constipation, although this may be due to age—because both constipation severity and medication use increase with age. Overall, the prevalence of statin use...

Statin Use and Musculoskeletal Pain Among Adults With and Without Arthritis

The American Journal of Medicine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:45:00 +0100

Conclusion: In this population-based study, statin use was associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the lower extremities, among individuals without arthritis. Evidence that statin use was associated with musculoskeletal pain among those with arthritis was lacking. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)

Experts Debate: Prescribe Statins for Primary Prevention?Experts Debate: Prescribe Statins for Primary Prevention?

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:51:23 +0100

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Statins increase diabetes risk

Reactions — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:35:21 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Anastrozole/pravastatin: Liver injury in an elderly patient: case report

Reactions — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:35:21 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Metformin/simvastatin: Acquired port wine stain (first report) in an elderly patient: case report

Reactions — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:35:21 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Rita Redberg and Roger Blumenthal Clash Over Statins for Primary Prevention in the Wall Street Journal

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:08:43 +0100

The debate over whether statins should be used for primary prevention moved to the Wall Street Journal with opposing perspectives from cardiologists Roger Blumenthal and Rita Redberg. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

To prescribe or not to prescribe: That is the statin question, experts debate

theHeart.org — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:30:09 +0100

The two very different sides of the statin argument are debated today in the Wall Street Journal, with Dr Roger Blumenthal arguing the drugs prevent heart disease in patients with cardiovascular risk factors as well as in those who have already had a cardiovascular event. Dr Rita Redberg, on the other hand, argues against the current practice of prescribing statins to healthy patients with cardiovascular risk factors, including individuals with elevated cholesterol levels. (Source: theHeart.org)

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Statins May Join Fight Against Breast Cancer

About.com Breast Cancer — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:25:20 +0100

For breast cancer patients with a p53 genetic mutation may someday start taking statins -- drugs that lower cholesterol -- to help fight their disease. While BRCA gene mutations usually ...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Breast Cancer)

Statins May Work Against Certain Breast Cancers

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0100

Statins are commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol, but a recent study suggest certain types of breast cancer may respond to treatment with statins. Led by Carol Prives of New York's Columbia University, the international team found when they treated breast cancer cells carrying a mutant p53 gene with statins, they stopped growing in the disorganized manner characteristic of tumors, and in some cases even died. However a lot more work needs to be done before the lab results translate into clinical success... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Cholesterol Lowering Statins Treat Cancer

Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Ivanhoe Newswire)- Cholesterol lowering statins seem to be effective against breast cancer in some patients. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)

NHS Choices 'Behind the Headlines' assessment of press reports that statins 'may block cancer'

NeLM - News — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: NHS Choices Area: News The 'Behind the Headlines' service from NHS Choices has featured a quality assessment of press reports that statins have "been shown to block the growth and spread of tumours" (as reported by the Daily Express and others, 20th January 2012). The assessment notes that the reports are based on early laboratory research that showed a specific mutation in the p53 gene has a role in the generation of cancerous cells. Simvastatin was found to interfere with the effects of this mutation in both cells and in mice. The authors of the assessment comment that this research is at a very early stage and that it will be years before we know if statins are an effective treatment for cancer. Many questions remain unanswered, such as: &...

Randomized comparison of pitavastatin and pravastatin treatment on the reduction of urinary albumin in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy

Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The effect of pitavastatin and pravastatintreatment on renal function was compared in type 2 diabetes patients with nephropathy in a randomized, controlled, open‐label, parallel and multi‐center study.Type 2 diabetic patients with modest renal impairment (serum creatinine level<1.4 mg/dL) accompanied by albuminuria (30‐600mg/g creatinine) were randomly assigned to receive 2 mg of pitavastatin (n = 44) or 10 mg of pravastatin (n =43) for 12 months. At 12 months,pitavastatin significantly reduced urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio than pravastatin in subjects with macroalbuminuria (‐67.2 % vs. +14.5%,P = 0.0040), but not in subjects with microalbuminuria. There was no significant difference in the change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)between two groups.Pitavas...

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Muscle phosphorylase kinase deficiency: A neutral metabolic variant or a disease?

Neurology — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that muscle PHK deficiency may present as an almost asymptomatic condition, despite a mild impairment of muscle glycogenolysis, raised CK levels, and glycogen accumulation in muscle. The relative preservation of glycogenolysis is probably explained by an alternative activation of myophosphorylase by AMP and Pi at high exercise intensities. Neurology® 2012;78:265–268 (Source: Neurology)

Nocturnal Leg Cramps and Prescription Use That Precedes Them: A Sequence Symmetry Analysis [Original Investigation]

Archives of Internal Medicine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Cramp treatment was substantially more likely in the year following introduction of LABAs, potassium-sparing diuretics, or thiazidelike diuretics, and 60.3% of quinine users (individuals experiencing cramp) received at least 1 of these medications during a 13-year period. In contrast, statin and loop diuretic associations were small. Physicians should be mindful that the use of these medications may worsen symptoms in patients experiencing nocturnal leg cramps. (Source: Archives of Internal Medicine)

Statin Use and Risk of Diabetes Mellitus in Postmenopausal Women in the Women's Health Initiative [Original Investigation]

Archives of Internal Medicine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Statin medication use in postmenopausal women is associated with an increased risk for DM. This may be a medication class effect. Further study by statin type and dose may reveal varying risk levels for new-onset DM in this population. (Source: Archives of Internal Medicine)

Increased Diabetes Mellitus Risk With Statin Use: Comment on "Statin Use and Risk of Diabetes Mellitus in Postmenopausal Women in the Women's Health Initiative" [Editor's Note]

Archives of Internal Medicine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Archives of Internal Medicine)

High-dose statin before percutaneous coronary intervention lowers risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction and 30-day major cardiac adverse events

Evidence-Based Medicine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Context In the current era, periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) can still occur in a significant proportion of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs).1 Large periprocedural ischaemic events are associated with harm; however, even small increases in cardiac enzymes have been associated with increased long-term mortality.2 Attempts to enhance the safety of PCI have typically occurred through the use of potent antiplatelet agents (eg, aspirin, ADP receptor blockers (clopidogrel and prasugrel) and glycoprotein inhibitors (abciximab and eptifibatide)), as well as antithrombin agents (eg, unfractionated heparin, low-molecular weight heparin and bivalirudin). Although antiplatelet and antithrombin agents are effective at reducing ischaemic events, a cost from their use is sometimes paid...

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3‐hydroxy 3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibition impairs muscle regeneration

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractSkeletal muscle has the ability to regenerate new muscle fibers after injury. The process of new muscle formation requires that quiescent mononuclear muscle precursor cells (myoblasts) become activated, proliferate, differentiate, and fuse into multinucleated myotubes which, in turn, undergo further differentiation and mature to form functional muscle fibers. Previous data demonstrated the crucial role played by 3‐hydroxy 3‐methylglutaryl Coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), the rate limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, in fetal rat myoblast (L6) differentiation. This finding, along with epidemiological studies assessing the myotoxic effect of statins, HMGR inhibitors, allowed us to speculate that HMGR could be strongly involved in skeletal muscle repair. Thus, our rese...

Research adds to mixed view of statin–ICH link

MedWire News - Stroke — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Findings from a large retrospective cohort study argue against statins raising the risk for intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with ischemic stroke. (Source: MedWire News - Stroke)

Should Healthy People Take Cholesterol Drugs?

WSJ.com: Health — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:43:48 +0100

Roger Blumenthal says statins save lives in seemingly healthy people who have high cholesterol. Rita Redberg argues that the evidence isn't clear and that the risk of side effects is too great. (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...

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Cholesterol-Lowering Statins May Treat Breast Cancer

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Cholesterol-lowering statins seem to keep breast cancer at bay in some patients. Now researchers reporting in the January 20th issue of the journal Cell, a Cell Press publication, provide clues about how statins might yield those unexpected benefits. The findings also suggest that mutations in a single gene could be used to identify tumors likely to respond to statin therapy. "The data raises the possibility that we might identify subsets of patients whose tumors may respond to statins," said Carol Prives of Columbia University... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of the efficacy of statins in experimental stroke

International Journal of Stroke — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:38:05 +0100

ConclusionsThese findings suggest that statins administered after middle cerebral artery occlusion have modest efficacy. Effects of potential sources of bias are considered likely to reduce the estimated effect from this review. (Source: International Journal of Stroke)

Therapeutic Effects of a Combinatorial Treatment of Simvastatin and Bone Marrow Stromal Cells on Experimental Embolic Stroke

Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:34:17 +0100

In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of simvastatin administered in combination with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) following experimentally induced embolic stroke in rats. Effects on infarct volume, brain oedema and neurological deficits were examined. Focal ischaemic brain injury was induced by emblazing a preformed clot into the middle cerebral artery in rats. Animals were administered simvastatin (40 mg/kg) at 1 hr after stroke, or BMSCs (3 × 106) at 24 hr after stroke or a combination of these two treatments. Rats receiving a dose of simvastatin in combination with BMSC administration demonstrated a significant reduction in neurological deficits, a significant reduction in infarct volume and a significant decrease in brain oedema. Our data show that combinin...

Statins 'may block cancer'

NHS News Feed — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:30:00 +0100

Conclusion This was an early stage laboratory study that demonstrated that a specific mutation in a gene called p53 has a role in the generation of cancerous cells. It identified a potentially valuable target for drug treatments in the form of statins. The researchers say that normal p53 genes act to suppress tumours, but when mutated, they can lead to the growth and progression of many cancers. They add that their study has identified the pathway through which this works. This pathway has been shown to be involved in cancerous cells’ growth, survival, spread and invasiveness into surrounding tissue. An existing drug, a cholesterol-lowering statin, was found to interfere with the effects of this mutation in both cells in the laboratory and in mice. The fact that this drug is already used...

Study hints that statins might fight breast cancer

USATODAY.com Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:18:41 +0100

Amid hints that statins might play a role in preventing or treating certain cancers, new research shows how they may help stop breast cancer ... (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

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Study Hints That Statins Might Fight Breast Cancer

The Doctors Lounge - Oncology — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

But laboratory finding on tumor suppression hasn't been proven in real-world setting, researcher said (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Oncology)

Simvastatin Decreases Endothelial G{alpha}s Abundance [Signal Transduction]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

These studies explore the effects of statins on cyclic AMP-modulated signaling pathways in vascular endothelial cells. We previously observed (Kou, R., Sartoretto, J., and Michel, T. (2009) J. Biol. Chem. 284, 14734–14743) that simvastatin treatment of endothelial cells leads to a marked decrease in PKA-modulated phosphorylation of the protein VASP. Here we show that long-term treatment of mice with simvastatin attenuates the vasorelaxation response to the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, without affecting endothelin-induced vasoconstriction or carbachol-induced vasorelaxation. We found that statin treatment of endothelial cells dose-dependently inhibits PKA activation as assessed by analyses of serine 157 VASP phosphorylation as well as Epac-mediated Rap1 activation. These effects o...

Bioconversion of ethyl (R)-4-cyano-3-hydroxybutyate into (R)-ethyl-3-hydroxyglutarate via an indirect pathway by Rhodococcus boritolerans.

Biotechnology Letters — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yang MJ, Wang XJ, Yang ZY, An J, Xiang WS, Zhang J Abstract (R)-Ethyl-3-hydroxyglutarate, (R)-3, is an intermediate in the synthesis of the statin side chain. Here, a new two-step, indirect biotransformation pathway involving the formation of ethyl (R)-4-carbamoyl-3-hydroxybutanoate, (R)-2, as an intermediate for (R)-3 production was developed using Rhodococcus boritolerans with ethyl (R)-4-cyano-3-hydroxybutyate, (R)-1, as substrate. Maximum conversion was with 10 g (R)-1/l, 7 g cells/l (dry wt), pH 7.5 and 25°C. A yield of 98 ± 0.5% (w/w) was attained within 8 h. PMID: 22261862 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Biotechnology Letters)

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)