Dabigatran = Pradaxa for Atrial Fibrillation

Medical News: Dabigatran Wins FDA Nod for Stroke Prevention in Afib Patients – in Cardiovascular, Arrhythmias from MedPage Today

The anticoagulant drug dabigatran (Pradaxa) was cleared for market for preventing strokes and thrombosis in patients with atrial fibrillation, the FDA announced.

Hospital Admissions for Drug Reactions = 65,000 Annually

Medical News: Hospital Admissions for Drug Reactions Double – in Pain Management, Pain Management from MedPage Today

The report, released by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) found that there was a major increase in hospital discharges from effects of both prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as illegal drugs, among adults ages 45 and older. 

Hospital admissions for drug-related conditions grew from about 30,000 per year to more than 65,000 per year — a 117% increase — between 1997 and 2008 for people ages 45 to 64, according to the report.

If Your Leg Breaks Stop Taking Biphosphonates

The highlighted bold is me.  I keep reading this FDA recommendation just to make sure I understand what they are trying to say.  I think the recommendation says the FDA found no cause and effect between the use of biphosphonates and leg fractures so keep taking your medication.  But if your leg breaks, your physician will instruct you to stop taking the medication she prescribed for you to help prevent bone loss and fractures.

I’m glad the FDA cleared up this issue, don’t you?

Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products > Bisphosphonates (Osteoporosis Drugs): Label Change – Atypical Fractures Update

BACKGROUND: Atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures are fractures in the bone just below the hip joint. Diaphyseal femur fractures occur in the long part of the thigh bone. These fractures are very uncommon and appear to account for less than 1% of all hip and femur fractures overall. Although it is not clear if bisphosphonates are the cause, these unusual femur fractures have been predominantly reported in patients taking bisphosphonates.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Patients should continue to take their medication unless told to stop by their healthcare professional. FDA recommends that healthcare professionals should discontinue potent antiresorptive medications (including bisphosphonates) in patients who have evidence of a femoral shaft fracture. See the FDA Drug Safety Communication below for additional information.

FDA Warns Docs, Patients of Femoral Fracture Risk Linked to Some Bisphosphonates — AAFP News Now — American Academy of Family Physicians

Memantine for PDD or DLB

Underwriting Quick Notes:

  • PDD = Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
  • DLB = Dementia with Lewy Bodies
  • Memantine = Namenda

Memantine for patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial : The Lancet Neurology

Memantine seems to improve global clinical status and behavioural symptoms of patients with mild to moderate DLB, and might be an option for treatment of these patients.