The Dean Posted March 31, 2007 Posted March 31, 2007 There is a drug from Sanofi-Aventis awaiting approval called Acomplia (it probably won't be marketed under that name).They are expecting sales to be around 12 BILLION in its first year. The drug deals with the endo-cabbinoid (sp?) section of the brain (the first of its kind). It was originally developed to help people stop smoking marijuana. What they found out was, it stops addiction (alcohol, food, drugs, smoking), lowers your blood pressure, lowers your cholesterol, and raises your good cholesterol. Practically everyone is going to jump on this drug (myself probably included). Sanofi better hope and pray that there are no serious events associated with this drug, or they're done. The only documented side ffects are it could cause/increase depression, and could raise anxiety is a small portion of people. Disclaimer: I don't work for Sanofi-Aventis. I read about this is Reader's Digest a few years ago (when it was being developed) and have follwed it ever since. Very interesting, JC. I hadn't heard of this. i will certainly check it out and keep my eye on this one. Thanks I've found a pretty effective pain management system for my brother and myself. Fentaynal patch supplemented with gabapentin (or Lyrica). My bro is pretty much addicted to pain pills, but this treatment has allowed him to cut back on the pills quite a bit. As he is a dialysis patient, he can't use a high dosage of fentaynal, If he could, I'm guessing he could drop the pills almost entirely. I know they don't work for everyone, but for those they help, I think fentaynal patches are a freakin' wonder drug.
RU5781 Posted March 31, 2007 Author Posted March 31, 2007 Very interesting, JC. I hadn't heard of this. i will certainly check it out and keep my eye on this one. Thanks I've found a pretty effective pain management system for my brother and myself. Fentaynal patch supplemented with gabapentin (or Lyrica). My bro is pretty much addicted to pain pills, but this treatment has allowed him to cut back on the pills quite a bit. As he is a dialysis patient, he can't use a high dosage of fentaynal, If he could, I'm guessing he could drop the pills almost entirely. I know they don't work for everyone, but for those they help, I think fentaynal patches are a freakin' wonder drug. Gabapentin is Neurontin, Pregabalin is Lyrica. Lyrica frightens me more than Neurontin. Lyrica can cause significant weight gain, and could be a B word for diabetes. Also, it is addictive. Neurontin has been around much longer, but eventually you become tolerant to it. Fentanyl is good, but STRONG! Has he tried Lidoderm for specific site pain? The FDA is dragging its heels on Acomplia, and I'm not quite sure why (the data doesn't support the holdback). I believe Merck and Pfizer are also working on something very very similar. It's going to be an entire new class of drugs, and they think they have only scartched the surface (I'm sure Coli, NG, and Mr. Info know a lot more on this than me).
The Dean Posted March 31, 2007 Posted March 31, 2007 Gabapentin is Neurontin, Pregabalin is Lyrica. Lyrica frightens me more than Neurontin. Lyrica can cause significant weight gain, and could be a B word for diabetes. Also, it is addictive. Neurontin has been around much longer, but eventually you become tolerant to it. Fentanyl is good, but STRONG! Has he tried Lidoderm for specific site pain? The FDA is dragging its heels on Acomplia, and I'm not cute sure why (the data doesn't support the holdback). I believe Merck and Pfizer are also working on something very very similar. It's going to be an entire new class of drugs, and they think they have only scartched the surface (I'm sure Coli, NG, and Mr. Info know a lot more on this than me). We both use Lidoderm patches (I use them for "nerve" pain in my legs at night). Since starting the gabapentin, I haven't had to use the Lidoderm patches at all. As for Fentaynal, I use a 25mcg patch (very low dose) and my bro uses a 12 (lowest made, I believe). He should probably use a 75 or 100, but he can't because of the dialysis. I tried a 75 once, and it was too strong for my needs. I was ready to go to a 50, but the added gabapentin has decreased my need for a stronger dose. Fentalyal may be strong (VERY strong), but it is effective. The trans-dermal patch really levels out the drugs impact, too, IMO. I felt at least 10-years younger/better physically once I started on the patch. I sleep, I wake up and can get out of bed without screaming pain. And, I only need a couple of drinks to feel real good. (Don't tell my doctor!) OTOH, pills make me groggy, and the pain relief is not as consistent. The gabapentin, had the best side effect ever when I first started them. Unfortunately that went away in a few days. DAMN!
mcjeff215 Posted March 31, 2007 Posted March 31, 2007 Check your PM. Damn. I was kind of interested in hearing what exactly it is you do.
RU5781 Posted March 31, 2007 Author Posted March 31, 2007 Damn. I was kind of interested in hearing what exactly it is you do. Haha. It's nothing too exciting. I work with the sites, the CRA's, and data.
gmac17 Posted March 31, 2007 Posted March 31, 2007 and then you have tysabri, which if I'm correct killed 3 people and was pulled (or delayed) for several years before they decided the benefits outweighed the risks.
moorman8 Posted April 1, 2007 Posted April 1, 2007 New York Times article today http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/health/3...html?ref=health "In 29 studies, 13 of 11,614 patients given Zelnorm had heart problems, including one who died. Just one of 7,031 patients given placebos had similar problem" "Thirteen cases of heart problems in more than 11,000 patients is about what one might find in a normal population, said Dr. Stephen Cunningham, head of clinical development and medical affairs in the United States at Novartis" "Novartis’s own studies show that it is only 5 percent to 10 percent more effective than placebos at resolving the symptoms of constipation-related irritable bowel syndrome in women. Men were dropped from the initial studies because the drug did not appear to work in them at all" " In a 2003 presentation, Thomas Ebeling, chief executive of Novartis’s drug division, said Zelnorm’s sales in the United States were closely tied to those commercials. “The weeks we go off the air, the growth flattens,” Mr. Ebeling said. “When we restart, you see the growth accelerate again.” "Zelnorm’s withdrawal is likely to intensify a debate about whether widespread drug advertising is appropriate. Some on Capitol Hill have called for curbs on drug commercials, particularly in the year after a drug’s introduction"
DC Tom Posted April 1, 2007 Posted April 1, 2007 "In 29 studies, 13 of 11,614 patients given Zelnorm had heart problems, including one who died. Just one of 7,031 patients given placebos had similar problem" Had? Or developed? Because there is, in fact, a world of difference.
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