The FDA has approved prasugrel (Effient, Eli Lilly/Daiichi Sankyo) to lower the risk of blood clots from forming in patients who undergo angioplasty to unblock a clogged coronary artery. If blood platelets clump around the procedure site, clots can form and can lead to heart attack, stroke, and death.
The American College of Chest Physicians guidelines recommend anticoagulation with generic warfarin (Coumadin, Bristol-Myers Squibb) for patients with atrial fibrillation who are 75 years of age or older. But as many as 50% of patients might not be getting the anticoagulation they need to prevent a stroke.
Researchers from Montefiore Medical Center say that this low rate might be a result of physicians’ perceptions about bleeding risk, falls, and the need for frequent laboratory monitoring and dosage adjustments. They conducted a retrospective study to determine how warfarin drugs or acetylsalicylic acid was being used in patients at risk for stroke and hemorrhage, including those with a history of falls or dementia.
Watson Laboratories has received approval for its Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) for generic metoprolol succinate extended-release 25-mg and 50-mg tablets. These are the generic equivalent of AstraZeneca’s Toprol drugs XL tablets. This beta blocker is used to treat angina, heart failure, and hypertension.
Source: Watson Pharmaceuticals, August 7, 2009
Both the timing and dosage of clopidogrel (Plavix, Bristol-Myers Squibb/ Sanofi-Aventis) loading are important, according to a study of pretreatment in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The results suggest pretreating patients with highdose clopidogrel drug as early as possible.
Valturna (Novartis), a tablet combining aliskiren and valsartan drug , is the first medication to target two key points within the renin angiotensin-aldosterone system. This drug is indicated for the treatment of hypertension that has not been adequately controlled with aliskiren or monotherapy with an angiotensin-receptor blocker and as an initial therapy for patients who may need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure (BP) goals.
