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Related terms: Cholesteremia, Cholesterol, Elevated Levels, Cholesterol, High, Cholesterolemia, Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Hypercholesterolemia, Hypercholesterolemia, Familial, Hyperlipidemia, Lipid Metabolism Disorders

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Cholesterol Drugs Linked to Muscle, Joint Problems: Study

Posted 15 days ago by Drugs.com

MONDAY, June 3 – People taking statin drugs to lower their cholesterol may slightly increase their risk for muscle and joint diseases as well as strains and sprains, a new study suggests. Statins, such as Zocor and Lipitor, are widely used to reduce cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease. But they're also thought to contribute to muscle weakness, muscle cramps and tendon problems. This new study, based on nearly 14,000 U.S. active-duty soldiers and veterans, confirmed an association between the drugs' use and musculoskeletal injuries and diseases. But the findings need to be replicated in other types of studies and should not deter people at risk of heart disease from taking the medications, said lead researcher Dr. Ishak Mansi, from the VA North Texas Health Care System in Dallas. "Do not stop taking statins; these medications have been life-savers for some patients," Mansi ... Read more

Could Statins Raise Diabetes Risk?

Posted 23 May 2013 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, May 23 – Certain statins – the widely used cholesterol-lowering drugs – may increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests. The risk was greatest for patients taking atorvastatin (brand name Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor), the study said. Focusing on almost 500,000 Ontario residents, researchers in Canada found that the overall odds of developing diabetes were low in patients prescribed statins. Still, people taking Lipitor had a 22 percent higher risk of new-onset diabetes, Crestor users had an 18 percent increased risk and people taking Zocor had a 10 percent increased risk, relative to those taking pravastatin (Pravachol), which appears to have a favorable effect on diabetes. Physicians should weigh the risks and benefits when prescribing these medications, the researchers said in the study, which was published online ... Read more

FDA Approves Merck’s Liptruzet (ezetimibe and atorvastatin), a New Product That Can Help Lower LDL Cholesterol

Posted 6 May 2013 by Drugs.com

Friday, May 3, 2013 - Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Liptruzet (ezetimibe and atorvastatin) tablets for the treatment of elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in patients with primary or mixed hyperlipidemia as adjunctive therapy to diet when diet alone is not enough. Liptruzet (pronounced LIP-true-zett) contains ezetimibe, an efficacious LDL cholesterol lowering therapy, and atorvastatin, currently one of the most widely prescribed statins in the U.S.[1] Once-daily Liptruzet treats two sources of cholesterol by inhibiting both the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract – through ezetimibe – and the production of cholesterol in the liver – through atorvastatin. No incremental benefit of Liptruzet on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality over and above that de ... Read more

Secondhand Smoke Tied to Lower 'Good' Cholesterol in Teen Girls

Posted 30 Apr 2013 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, April 30 – Exposure to secondhand smoke at home appears to lower teen girls' levels of the "good" cholesterol – the substance that reduces heart disease risk, researchers report. The new study included more than 1,000 male and female teens, aged 17, in Australia who had blood tests to check their levels of "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. While "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol creates a build-up that can block blood vessels, HDL plays a positive role by clearing excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. The researchers also examined information about smoking in the teens' households beginning before they were born, when their mothers were 18 weeks into their pregnancies. Forty-eight percent of the study participants had been exposed to secondhand smoke at home, according to the study in the May issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & ... Read more

Related support groups: Smoking, High Cholesterol

Health Tip: Lower Cholesterol

Posted 23 Mar 2013 by Drugs.com

-- Eating healthier can help lower your cholesterol. The Cleveland Clinic offers these suggestions: Cut back on fatty meats, processed meats, poultry with skin and full-fat dairy products. Eat more foods rich in soluble fiber, such as legumes, fruits, oats, barley, flaxseed and whole grains. Eat at least one meat-free meal each week, opting instead for beans, tofu or nuts. Lose any excess weight, even if it's a modest amount. Read more

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TV Ads for Statins May Drive Overtreatment

Posted 8 Mar 2013 by Drugs.com

FRIDAY, March 8 – Television ads for cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may lead to overdiagnosis of high cholesterol and overtreatment with the drugs, according to a new study. The research found that patients' visits with doctors to ask about statins advertised on TV often lead to prescriptions for the drugs. The ads tell viewers about the health risks of high cholesterol and encourage them to seek medical advice, tests and appropriate treatment. The researchers wanted to assess the effect of this direct-to-consumer advertising. The study was published online March 7 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. It examined how often more than 106,000 American adults were exposed to such ads between 2001 and 2007. Researchers also looked at whether these adults reported being diagnosed with high cholesterol, whether they had taken a statin in the previous year and their risk factors ... Read more

Cholesterol Levels May Vary By Season

Posted 7 Mar 2013 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, March 7 – Cholesterol levels increase with winter's arrival and drop again as warmer weather returns, a new study by Brazilian researchers suggests. "In the winter, people should be careful with their cholesterol levels," said lead researcher Dr. Filipe Moura, a doctoral student at the State University of Campinas. Whether these changes in cholesterol are putting patients at risk for heart attacks or stroke isn't clear, Moura said. It's a complex picture and these changes might have a role, but there are many other factors, he added. There are several possible reasons cholesterol varies by season, Moura said, including changes in diet, exercise and exposure to the sun. "In the winter, people consume more calories and eat fattier foods, which could have an effect on their bad cholesterol," he said. "Also, it's common for people to exercise less during the winter and stay in ... Read more

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Processed Meat May Play a Part in Early Death: Study

Posted 6 Mar 2013 by Drugs.com

WEDNESDAY, March 6 – Grilled hot dogs and sausages may be tasty treats at ball games and picnics, but a new study of nearly 450,000 people finds that eating too much processed meat might shave years off your life. Those who ate the most processed meat increased their risk of dying early by 44 percent. In broader terms, if people ate less processed meat, the number of premature deaths overall would drop by almost 3 percent, Swiss researchers reported. "Our recommendation is to limit processed meat intake to less than an ounce a day," said study author Sabine Rohrmann, head of the division of cancer epidemiology and prevention at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of Zurich. The researchers could only show an association between eating processed meat and an increased risk of dying early, and not a cause-and-effect link. There are, however, some reasons to ... Read more

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Health Tip: Watch Your Cholesterol When Dining Out

Posted 28 Feb 2013 by Drugs.com

-- If you're trying to lower your cholesterol, choose your menu options carefully when dining out. The Cleveland Clinic suggests following these guidelines when ordering meals at restaurants: Choose dishes that are roasted, baked, grilled, stir-fried (in water or broth), broiled, poached or steamed instead of fried. Choose low-fat substitutions for high-fat foods; request steamed vegetables instead of fries; skip toppings like butter and cream. Order a broth-based soup as an appetizer, and place your order before others so you aren't tempted. Cut the fat off of meat; choose seafood, chicken or lean meats. Don't add salt to your food, and remember to eat slowly so you don't overeat and feel too full. Choose fresh fruit for dessert. Read more

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Niacin-Statin Combo May Cause Side Effects for Heart Patients

Posted 26 Feb 2013 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, Feb. 26 – Combining the vitamin niacin with a cholesterol-lowering statin drug appears to raise side effects in heart patients, a new study indicates. Muscle, skin and gastrointestinal problems were among the side effects that caused one-quarter of patients to stop treatment in a study looking at whether the use of niacin in combination with a statin might reduce heart disease risk. Niacin has long been used to boost levels of "good" HDL cholesterol and decrease levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) in the blood in people at risk for heart disease and stroke. However, niacin also causes a number of side effects, including flushing of the skin. A drug called laropiprant can reduce the incidence of flushing in people taking niacin. This new study included nearly 26,000 patients with narrowing of the arteries. They received either 2 grams of extended-release ... Read more

Kynamro Approved for Deadly Genetic Condition Tied to Cholesterol

Posted 30 Jan 2013 by Drugs.com

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 30 – Kynamro (mipomersen sodium) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat a rare inherited condition in which the body can't remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the blood. LDL is the so-called "bad" cholesterol that can clog the arteries and cause heart attack and stroke. Many people with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) have a heart attack and die before age 30, the FDA said in a news release. HoFH affects approximately one of every 1 million people in the United States. Kynamro is a once-weekly injection designed to lower creation of blood lipid particles that ultimately form LDL, the agency said. The drug was clinically evaluated among 51 people with HoFH. Among Kynamro users, LDL levels fell an average of about 25 percent during the first 26 weeks, the FDA said. The drug will carry a "black box" label ... Read more

FDA Approves New Orphan Drug Kynamro to Treat Inherited Cholesterol Disorder

Posted 30 Jan 2013 by Drugs.com

January 29, 2013 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Kynamro (mipomersen sodium) injection as an addition to lipid-lowering medications and diet to treat patients with a rare type of high cholesterol called homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). The addition of Kynamro helps to reduce low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol, and non-high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (non HDL-C). HoFH, an inherited condition that affects about one out of every one million people in the United States, occurs when the body is unable to remove LDL-C, often called “bad” cholesterol, from the blood causing abnormally high levels of circulating LDL-C. For those with HoFH, heart attacks and death often occur before age 30. Kynamro is an orphan drug approval, meaning it was developed to treat a disorder affecting fewer than 200,000 peo ... Read more

Popularity of 'Walk-In' Retail Health Clinics Growing: Poll

Posted 8 Jan 2013 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, Jan. 8 – The popularity of "walk-in" medical clinics located in pharmacies, superstores and workplaces nationwide is increasing rapidly, according to a new Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll. Twenty-seven percent of all adults surveyed said they have used either walk-in retail clinics (19 percent) or work-based clinics (11 percent) to obtain medical care in the past two years. That's up from just 7 percent in 2008. "This survey shows a very large increase in the numbers of people using retail clinics over the last few years since earlier surveys, which used slightly different questions," said Harris Poll chairman Humphrey Taylor. Younger adults were more likely to have used such a facility compared with older adults. Among the respondents, 40 percent of adults aged 25 to 29 had used a retail or work-based clinic, versus only 15 percent of adults aged 65 and older. This is not ... Read more

Related support groups: High Blood Pressure, Hypertension, High Cholesterol

FDA Approves Juxtapid - New Orphan Drug for Rare Cholesterol Disorder

Posted 26 Dec 2012 by Drugs.com

December 26, 2012 – On Dec. 21, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Juxtapid (lomitapide) to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). Juxtapid is intended for use in combination with a low fat diet and other lipid-lowering treatments. HoFH is a rare inherited condition that makes the body unable to remove LDL cholesterol, often called the “bad” cholesterol, from the blood, causing abnormally high levels of circulating LDL cholesterol. In the United States, HoFH occurs in approximately one in one million individuals. For those with HoFH, heart attacks and death often occur before age 30. Juxtapid works by impairing the creation of the lipid particles that ultimately give rise to LDL. Juxtapid is a capsule tak ... Read more

FDA Medwatch Alert: Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets by Ranbaxy Inc.: Recall - Presence of Foreign Substance

Posted 28 Nov 2012 by Drugs.com

ISSUE: On November 9, 2012, Ranbaxy Inc. initiated a voluntary recall of 41 affected lots of Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets (10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg) which is a solid oral dosage form, to the retail level. The Company is taking this voluntary action as a precautionary measure due to the fact that we cannot exclude the possibility that the affected lots may contain very small glass particles resembling a fine grain of sand (less than 1 mm in size). Because of the size of the particles which may be present in the affected lots it is unlikely to cause a significant safety concern. However, the possibility of adverse experiences arising primarily due to physical irritation cannot be ruled out. BACKGROUND: The product is used to lower blood cholesterol and is packaged in plastic bottles, as 90 and 500 tablets per bottle. The affected lots of Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets and their respective NDC ... Read more

Related support groups: High Cholesterol, Lipitor, Atorvastatin

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