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

Exforge (valsartan/amlodipine) is likely to be well received by physicians who have been fond of Lotrel and prefer branded hypertensive therapies to generic agents.

An NDA for Regadenoson has been submitted this week. The compound has a few significant benefits over adenosine: 1- bolus vs. 4 minute drip 2- Fewer symptoms. The compound has been shown to lead to essentially identical stress images. The drug will be marketed by Astellas who will push hard to switch...

This article summarizes the DTC strategies used to encourage generic utilization for prescription therapies, changing the dynamic from the perception that these therapies are inferior but acceptable alternatives to branded therapies to the impression that these are superior from a consumer value st...

Much attention has been brought to HDL, its metabolism and potential for risk modification with HDL raising therapies.  With the demise of the CETP inhibitor torcetrapib (ILLUMINATE and ILLUSTRATE NEJM 2007; 356:1304-1316) and the ACAT inhibitor pactimibe in the ACTIVATE study (NEJM 354:1253-1263)...

1. In Meteor, carotid IMT progressed in both Crestor and placebo groups.2. However, this was a low risk group of patients, hence, the potential benefit is hard to demonstrate.3. Previous studies with lipitor and lowering cholesterol to very low levels were more impressive in terms of regression but...

UNLOAD has provided additional information about the potential utility for ultrafiltration in the management of acutely decompensated patients with CHF admitted to the hospital for volume unloading routinely performed with IV diuretics.Although safety and efficacy may be superior to diuretic based regimens...

Top line data from MERLIN trial released. CVTX stock crashed approximately 25%.This study examined the use of Ranexa in acute coronary syndrome.The trial failed to meet its primary endpoint- which eliminates the possibility of expanding indication to ACS.No trend towards increased mortality or arrhythmia-...

1. First study to look at DES in women2. Another study of a new DES - not yet on the market here in the US

1. Pfizer Inc, the pharmaceutical giant, halted late-stage trials of the HDL increasing drug torcetrapib after investigators discovered that it increased heart problems and increased death rates in the treated population. 2. Niacin, a B vitamin that increases HDL (the good cholesterol) up to 35%, has...

Niacin is one of the best drugs to treat hyperlipidemia in our armamentarium. It raises HDL (good CHL), and lowers both LDL and triglycerides, while statins essentially only target LDL metabolism. It is also one of the worst in terms of side effects. While LDL (bad cholesterol) is the primary target,...