Doctors should be cautious about prescribing statin drugs for primary prevention in people at low risk of cardiovascular events — because of shortcomings in the evidence to support such use, a Cochrane review warned.
Pharma
Vorapaxar Phase III Update
Whoops.
The novel antithrombotic vorapaxar causes intracranial hemorrhage in patients with a history of stroke, Merck announced, explaining why stroke survivors were dropped from trials of the experimental drug.

Vilazodone (Viibryd) = New Antidepressant
Medical News: FDA Approves New Antidepressant – in Product Alert, Prescriptions from MedPage Today
Vilazodone (Viibryd) has been approved for treatment of major depression, the FDA announced.
More Statin Stuff 01/11/11
Bye Bye Thelin
Bye Bye Darvon
Duloxetine Hydrochloride (Cymbalta) – It’s Not Just for Depression Anymore
Dabigatran = Pradaxa for Atrial Fibrillation
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
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?
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.

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