Video lecture: cholesterol-lowering agents mechanisms of action
Video lecture on the different classes of drugs used as lipid-lowering agents. Features an overview on their main characteristics as well as their mechanisms of action.
Podcast commenting on JUPITER trial
Essential Evidence Plus, formerly InfoPOEMs is a service by John Wiley and Sons that aims to give physicians succinct medical evidence that will impact in their medical practice. In this podcast Dr. Ebell and Dr. Wilkes (National Public Radio) discuss the JUPITER trial: Rosuvastatin to Prevent Vascular Events in Men and Women with Elevated C-Reactive […]
Experts comment the JUPITER trial in the latest NEJM issue
Experts around the globe comment the JUPITER trial in the correspondence section of the March 5, 2009 issue of the NEJM. I collect here some of the most relevant and interesting correspondence to the editor. “JUPITER is notable for the unacknowledged exclusion of a population that may be at increased risk for dose-related adverse effects […]
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 […]
FDA: statins do not increase the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
From FDA’s patient safety news website: Statin Use and the Risk of ALS A recent FDA analysis provides new evidence that using statins does not increase the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease also known “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Cholesterol-lowering statins such as Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) and Zocor (simvastatin) have been shown to […]
Pharmacology mnemonic. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins): side effects, contraindications, interactions
Pharmacology mnemonic about: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins): side effects, contraindications, interactions HMG CoA: Side effects: H epatotoxicity M yositis [aka rhabdomyolysis] _ Contraindications: G irl during pregnancy/G rowing children _ Interactions: C oumarin/ C yclosporine Also, check a related animation on their mechanism of action. Thanks to MedExcel
Cheap generic statins are just as successful at achieving cholesterol lowering targets
Can cheap generic statins achieve national cholesterol lowering targets? Duncan Petty , David Lloyd 1 School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds; 1 Prescribing Support Unit, The Information Centre for Health and Social Care, Leeds, UK Objectives: The Department of Health in England recommend that simvastatin and pravastatin should be prescribed in at least 69% […]
Jupiter trial: comments podcast by Therapeutics Initiative
The Therapeutics Initiative is an independent organization at The University of British Columbia dedicated to providing up to date, evidence based, practical information on rational drug therapy. They produced an excellent podcast about the recent JUPITER trial: Download podcast | Subscribe with iTunes | Show Notes Some official information about the trial: Rosuvastatin to Prevent […]
Statins: mechanism of action and side effects
An overview on the mechanism of action of statins: HMG CoA reductase inhibitors,or statins are widely prescribed drugs. They are indicated for the treatment of hipercholesterolemia, a condition that increases cardiovascular risk. Currently, the drugs of this group that are available are: Atorvastatin Fluvastatin Lovastatin Mevastatin Pitavastatin Pravastatin Rosuvastatin Simvastatin Mechanism of action. Animation explained […]