Health & Fitness – Two widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs, Vytorin and Zetia, may not work and should be used only as a last resort, The New England Journal of Medicine said in an editorial published on Sunday.
I was using Tricor because my doctor had told me that my triglycerides were running a little high, but recently he had me switch my medication to Actos. Reasons are that he said that he had heard "bad reports" about it. He wouldn't expand on it, but time, and again I becomes alarmed that some medications are always being pulled off the shelves.
Now I know my doctor doesn't have all the answers, but at times I wish that the FDA would strive for more thorough and more definitive testing before making just hastened, cursory decisions about releasing it to the public mainstream.
I mean, we are talking about people's lives here.
FDA - tough job. Company produces new drug they THINK work and they THINK doesn't have bad side effects. People clamor for it. FDA wants to test it. OK, fine, how long do they test it before giving an OK? Sometimes the really nasty side effects like heart valve damage or death don't show up as statistically significant for several years. And in this particular case "may not work so only use as a last resort." ???? WTF? If I'm down to "last resort" I don't think I'm going to pick a drug that "may not work" - I'm thinking maybe an off-label or not-yet-approved drug.
BB,
No more pastelitos for you, bro! And lay off the mofongo too while you're at it.
The fact that all foods and drugs must be screened by this Federal agency makes the argument against "socialized medicine" seem rather convoluted. Add the NIH and the CDC to the mix and we have a real problem with the "small government" advocates.
I'm rather fortunate that I have the cardiologist I have. He's explained every facet of my heart disease to me and has provided, above and beyond, the help I needed when I didn't have insurance. To me and my family he's a hero.
In all fairness, the results of these trials of Ezitimibe are VERY surprising. The drugs do, in fact, do what they were designed for - to lower LDL-cholesterol levels. The problem is that in one very narrow group of patients (those with familial hypercholesterolemia, an inherited disorder that affects about 1 in 500), the lowered LDL-cholesterol does not correlate with a decrease in artery size (lower atherosclerosis). The questions that remain for longer term studies to figure out are:
--do the drugs extend life?
--is this just an effect that is specific to those with familial hypercholesterol?
In a broader sense, the study brings into question the assumption that lower LDL-cholesterol is better.
The supposed theory of "Cholesterol" is the main enemy is an outdated concept that really needs to be put in the trash bin. High cholesterol is only a symptom of the problem, not the inherent problem itself. In fact, their is good research out their to show that excessively low levels of cholesterol is actually worse than exceedingly high levels. Unbeknownst to many who only pander to the pharmaceutical line, cholesterol is vital to your body's biology and is needed by many crucial systems (such as the brain,etc..) for vital life function.
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I use Lipitor for lowering LDL and Neaspan for raising HDL. My triglycerides are below limits and my cholesterol is below limits, so far. I also use Omega-3 fishoil pills, Vitamin C and B complex, lowered my sodium intake (few sodas and definitely no diet sugars which are high in sodium), and keep my weight low.
Best advice I can give someone that needs to lower their cholesterol, especially LDL levels, is to exercise as much as possible while lowering their fatty foods intake (drop those fries for baked potatoes or rice). Those that can't exercise have little choice but to take statins to lower their LDL. HDL is raised by exercise and it's the lipid that helps lower LDL, the bad cholesterol.
The best tasting foods are always greasy salt and greasy sugars.
Most people say that if you can control cholesterol levels with diet alone or diet combined with a statin drug (such a Lipitor), the Niaspan is not recommended. If you have any side effects (such as flushing after taking the niaspan) you might want to check back with your Dr.
quack,
Absolutely! But after bypass surgery, stents, and defribulator my exercise option are limited to walking.
After the last surgery for a stent and the defribulator, I had trouble doing that and was forced to apply for disability. Slowly, I've been making a comeback. Niaspan doesn't bother me and I have blood tests done periodically.