Internal Medicine Alert 2005-01-30

Which is More Important, the Level of the LDL Cholesterol or the C-reactive Protein?

Statins lower the levels of c-reactive protein (CRP) as well as the levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). Whether lowering the CRP affects the clinical outcomes of statin therapy has not previously been investigated.

Abnormal Bleeding Risk with SSRIs

Increased hospitalizations for abnormal bleeding were found in new users of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, with more risk associated with SSRIs containing greater degrees of serotonin reuptake inhibition.

Barrett’s Esophagus Progression and Proton Pump Inhibitors

Examining data from a 20-year time period, correlations were sought between antisecretory drug therapy and cumulative incidence of dysplasia. Incidence of dysplasia was significantly lower in patients who had received proton pump inhibitor therapy vs no therapy or H2-receptor antagonists.

Antiplatelet or Anticoagulant Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation

The addition of antiplatelet therapy to reduced intensity anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation patients reduces death and embolic events without increasing bleeding.

Statin Metabolism Interactions

Pravastatin is the statin with the least interactions with cytochrome P450-(CYP) 3A4 inhibitors.

Pharmacology Update: Eszopiclone Tablets (Lunesta^TM)

A new nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of insomnia.

Clinical Briefs

Although chronic oral antiarrhythmic prophylaxis and catheter ablation both enjoy great success for preventing recurrences of atrial fibrillation (AF), some patients are not appropriate candidates for either method, especially patients with infrequent recurrences of AF.

Pharmacology Watch: Statins and the Incidence of Rhabdomyolysis

The most commonly prescribed statins have a low incidence of rhabdomyolysis, according to the results a new study of more than 250,000 patients.

Internal Medicine Alert – January 30, 2005

January 30, 2005