Pradaxa Bleeding Deaths

Medical News: Pradaxa Bleeding Deaths Raise Concern – in Cardiovascular, Strokes from MedPage Today

Dabigatran Etexilate: A Novel Oral Direct Thrombin Inhibitor: Abstract and Introduction

We are talking about a direct thrombin inhibitor, yes?  Then this news should not be surprising.

ADHD Drugs and CV Events

ADHD Drugs and Serious Cardiovascular Events in Children and Young Adults — NEJM

In conclusion, in our study involving children and young adults with 2.5 million person-years of follow-up, there were 3.1 serious cardiovascular events per 100,000 person-years. Although the point estimates of the relative risks for ADHD drugs did not indicate increased risk, the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval suggested that a doubling in the risk could not be ruled out. However, the absolute magnitude of any increased risk would be low.

The entire article is worth reading given the potential serious side effects of the drugs in question.

FME’s – 2011

CDC Features – Prescription Painkiller Overdoses in the U.S.

Overdose deaths from prescription painkillers have skyrocketed in the past decade. Every year, nearly 15,000 people die from overdoses involving these drugs—more than those who die from heroin and cocaine combined.

Thinking About Heath..Just Another FME | Underwriting Solutions LLC

It’s been over three years since I posted about Heath Ledger and his unfortunate FME (Fatal Medication Error).  Fresh research from the CDC indicates the problem is getting worse.  The current state of the US economy virtually guarantees the staggering increase in prescription painkiller abuse and overdose will get worse before it gets better.

Olanzapine – Think Bipolar and Schizophrenia

Medical News: FDA Okays Generic Version of Zyprexa – in Psychiatry, Schizophrenia from MedPage Today

The FDA has approved a generic version of atypical antipsychotic drug olanzapine (Zyprexa) to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

According to the AP story:

Drugs like Zyprexa can cost up to $500 per month. Generic versions can cut the cost by up to 80 percent.

This is great news.