GLG News by Ranexa Prescribers for Angina: Cardiologists (US)

Apparently doctors aren't quite as easily manipulated by pharma as we all thought.  Despite a vigorous marketing effort, Bidil was seen by cardiologist as what it is- an expensive combination of two generics and was not used- even after insurance companies started to pay for it.

The reality that the actual details of the ENHANCE have not been circulated and that alternate explanations or caveats may be raised is probably unimportant.   The bottom line carries the day and the bottom line is that the trial's title, ENHANCE, was not achieved by the addition of VYTORIN when...

Merck and Schering Plough has finally released the ENHANCE trial. The results were bad- and the cover up was worse. Those who predict no fall out from this study are kidding themselves.

Physicians have several possible conclusions that can be taken; These include: - the trial is flawed - the selection of patients with much less CIMT than previous trials such as ASAP and ARBITER flaws the study -  the failure to meet the trial endpoint is only a surrogate and clinical trial data...

Niacin is the most potent approved HDL-raising agent with evidence for cardiovascular benefit. Flush is the limiting side-effect. EPA (a major component of omega 3 fish oil) decreases triglycerides and may have antiarrhythmic properties.

Challenges to pharmaceutical patents prior to the "official" expiration of the patent are proliferating; if they are allowed to stand, that is, if the "original" patent is successfully voided one of the crucial financial incentives to novel pharmaceutical research will be abridged and the "profit" motive...

This is great news for Canada.  This is the first new drug approved for the treatment of acute heart failure since 1989, when milrinone was approved.  Nesiritide was approved in the United States in 2001.  Since then, it has proven to be of great benefit in patients with acute heart failure,...

The pooled analysis of Rimonabant trials point to a significant increase in psychiatric disorders. These studies also point to significant improvements in markers of cardiovascular risk. Risks versus benefits must be considered before the final decision is made on this class of medications.

The meta-analysis of the rimonabant trials points to an increase in psychiatric diagnoses. What is missing in this report is the numberical and statistical significance of the findings.  This debate needs more rigor; the type of rigor that is applied to cardiac endpoints, needs to be applied here. ...

By restoring function in the late Na channel and hence improving diastolic function (amongst other things), Ranexa has worked terrifically in my patients with any evidence for diastolic dysfunction. This typically manifests with shortness of breath and can be associated with an elevated level...