Mechanism of action video animation: ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and the Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System

Also, a diagram of the Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS System) physiology. Drugs acting on the Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System. ACE Inhibitors. List of agents Sulfhydryl-containing agents Captopril (Capoten), Zofenopril Dicarboxylate-containing agents Enalapril (Vasotec, Renitec) Ramipril (Altace, Tritace, Ramace, Ramiwin) Quinapril (Accupril) Perindopril (Coversyl, Aceon) Lisinopril (Lisodur, Lopril, Novatec, Prinivil, Zestril) Benazepril (Lotensin) Phosphonate-containing agents […]

Aliskiren (Rasilez) for essential hypertension: not recommended by the NHS Scotland

The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 5th December 2008 an advice on aliskiren (Rasilez, Tekturna in the US): Aliskiren (Rasilez) is not recommended for use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of essential hypertension. Aliskiren has shown comparable efficacy to other antihypertensive agents in terms of blood pressure reduction, though its effects on mortality and […]

Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE): SMC review

The  Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 7th November, 2008 an advice on rivaroxaban (Xarelto): ADVICE: following a full submissionrivaroxaban (Xarelto®) is accepted for use  within NHS Scotland for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement surgery.In three large phase III studies in patients undergoing either total knee […]

FDA updated information about a safety review of Ezetimibe/Simvastatin (Vytorin), Ezetimibe (Zetia), and Simvastatin (Zocor)

FDA updated yesterday ( January 8, 2009) information related to their review of the ENHANCE trial: On January 25, 2008, FDA announced that it would be reviewing data from the ENHANCE trial (Effect of Combination Ezetimibe and High-Dose Simvastatin vs. Simvastatin Alone on the Atherosclerotic Process in Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia). (http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/early_comm/ezetimibe_simvastatin.htm). Preliminary results from this […]

Bivalirudin (Angiox) for acute coronary syndromes: SMC review

The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 7th December, 2008 an advice on bivalirudin (Angiox): Bivalirudin  (Angiox)  is accepted  for  restricted use within NHS Scotland  for  the  treatment of adult patients with acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina/non-ST segment elevation myocardial  infarction)  planned  for  urgent  or  early  intervention. It  is  restricted  to  use  in patients  who  would  […]

Ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide (Tritazide and related) indications, contraindications and posology updated in a review by the CHMP

The CHMP has issued a question and answer document dated 18 December 2008, about the review of Titrazide (ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide) and associated names: Questions and answers on the referral for Tritazide tablets containing ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide 2.5/12.5 mg, 5/12.5 mg, 5/25 mg The European Medicines Agency  (EMEA) has completed a review of Tritazide. The […]

Dabigatran (Pradaxa, Pradax) for the prevention of VTE. Mechanism of action, indications, contraindications, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

Information about dabigatran (Pradaxa in Europe, Pradax in Canada) for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events (VTE), from Health Canada. On June 10, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance to Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd. for the drug product, Pradax. Pradax contains the medicinal ingredient dabigatran etexilate used in its salt form, dabigatran etexilate […]

Sitaxentan (Thelin) for pulmonary hypertension. Australian Prescriber review

From Australian Prescriber: Sitaxentan sodium Thelin (CSL) 100 mg tablets Approved indication: pulmonary hypertension Australian Medicines Handbook section 6.7.2 Pulmonary hypertension results from intimal hypertrophy narrowing small pulmonary arteries. The increase in pulmonary vascular resistance leads to right ventricular failure. Primary pulmonary hypertension is less common than the pulmonary hypertension associated with other conditions such […]

Genetic variants of cytochrome P-450 linked to decreased response to clopidogrel (Plavix,Iscover and others)

From Physician’s First Watch: Genetic Variants Linked to Decreased Response to Clopidogrel, Increased Cardiovascular Risk Polymorphisms in the gene encoding the cytochrome P-450 2C19 enzyme (CYP2C19) not only confer reduced response to clopidogrel, but also are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events, according to three studies published online by the New England Journal of […]

EMEA positive opinion for prasugrel (Efient)

Press release about the positive opinion of the CHMP for the antiplatelet agent Efient (prasugrel): COMMITTEE FOR MEDICINAL PRODUCTS FOR HUMAN USE SUMMARY OF POSITIVE OPINION for EFIENT International Nonproprietary Name (INN): prasugrel On 18 December 2008  the Committee for Medicinal Products  for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending to grant a marketing […]

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