There has long been a concern over the possible cardiac risks of taking certain non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. So much so that Vioxx was actually removed from the market in 2004. A report outlining the results of a study from Denmark was included in the latest issue of the AARP Bulletin.

The study which was originally reported in the June 8th online edition of the American Heart Association’s Circulation showed that even the short term use of NSAIDs in healthy men and women is associated with an increase in heart attacks and stroke. Previous studies had shown the same association but in patients with already existing heart disease.

The researchers found that ibuprofen had a 29% increase in the risk of fatal or non fatal stroke. Diclofenac (Voltaren) had almost double the risk of death from heart disease. Celebrex results were inconclusive while the results for Naprosyn (Alleve) revealed that it might be a safer alternative to the other drugs. 

Patients requiring chronic use of these meds for arthritis or other aches and pains might want to discuss these findings with their doctor. bjmdjd

Material modifications since posting: none

AARP Bulletin · Alleve · Celebrex · Circulation · diclofenac · ibuprofen · Naprosyn · Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs · NSAIDs · risk of heart attack and stroke · Voltaren

The FDA advisory panel which met to determine the safety of the diabetes drug Avandia has voted 20 – 12 to keep the drug on the market despite concerns over posiible cardiac risks. 10 members also recommended limiting who can prescribe the drug and who should be allowed to take it.

The FDA has promised to review the findings of the panel and make their decision as soon as possible. While they do not have to follow the recommendations of the advisory panels they usually do. bjmdjd

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Avandia · Food and Drug Administration

The possible heart dangers of the diabetes drug Avandia are in the news again. An FDA advisory panel is in the midst of a two day hearing on the drug and it’s possible cardiac dangers.

More evidence has surfaced that suggests that the drug manufacturer (GlaxoSmithKline) knew about the possible heart risks as early as 2001 but withheld the information. The company claims that the information concerning them withholding cardiac risks was “cherry picked” from nearly 14 million pages of documents and is untrue.

If you take Avandia you need to pay close attention to these hearings. A decision will eventually be made that could range from stronger warnings on the drug label to possible removal from the market. bjmdjd

Material modifications since posting: July 16, 2010

Avandia · Food and Drug Administration · GlaxoSmithKline

Once again McNeil, Inc. has expanded their voluntary recall of various Tylenol, Motrin, and Benadryl products. You can go to www.mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/prd_all.inc to find the various lot numbers that are affected.

This is an expansion of a recall of 60 million products made by McNeil during late 2009 and into early this year. The chances of becoming ill by using any of these products is felt to be remote but if you have them you should contact the company for instructions on what to do. To do so, visit the web site, www.mcneilproductrecall.com, or call 888-222-6036 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time and weekends, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. bjmdjd

Material modification since posting: none

Benadryl · Inc. · McNeil · Motrin · Tylenol · voluntary drug recall

A new study from the Internal Medicine Dept. at the University of Michigan published in the journal Gastroenterology suggests that there is currently over use of surveillance colonoscopies in low risk patients and an under use in high risk patients. The study took into consideration cost effectiveness, mortality, and the unpleasant nature of the procedure.

The results of this study don’t really address screening colonoscopies but surveillance procedures in those people with known precancerous polyps. If you fall into this category you might want to discuss with your gastroenterologist how often you have follow up procedures done. bjmdjd

Material modifications since posting: none

Gastroenterology (journal) · precancerous polyps · surveillance colonoscopies