Diabetes warning over use of statins: People who take the drugs are at increased risk of developing condition
They found a 10 per cent extra risk linked to taking simvastatin - the most commonly prescribed anti-cholesterol drug - which rose to 22 per cent for those taking atorvastatin. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - May 24, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Two studies address diabetes risks with statins—one good news, one so-so
While one study is reassuring for older patients treated with statins, with researchers finding no evidence of an increased risk of diabetes in acute coronary syndrome patients, the other suggests that the more potent statins, such as rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, and simvastatin, do pose an increased risk compared with pravastatin. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - May 23, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news

Liptruzet (Ezetimibe and Atorvastatin Tablets) - updated on RxList
(Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs)
Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs - May 17, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news

U.S. spending on medicines fell for first time in 2012
(Reuters) - Patent expirations on big-name drugs such as Lipitor and Plavix has resulted in modestly less spending on medicines in the United States for the first time in at least 55 years, according to a report released on Thursday. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - May 9, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news

Liptruzet Approved By FDA To Cut Cholesterol, Despite Criticism By Cardiologists
Liptruzet, a cholesterol-lowering drug that combines Merck's Zetia (ezetimibe) with atorvastatin (generic version of Pfizer's Lipitor) has been approved by the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration). According to Merck and Co, Liptruzet tablets are for the treatment of high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol in patients with primary or mixed hyperlipidemia alongside a special diet when diet alone is not enough. Hyperlipidemia is an excessively high concentration of fats (lipids) in the blood... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 5, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cardiovascular / Cardiology Source Type: news

F.D.A. Approves Merck’s Combination Drug to Reduce Cholesterol
The drug pairs Merck’s Zetia, which lowers low-density lipoprotein, with the generic version of Lipitor, the best-selling statin made by Pfizer that lost its patent protection in 2011.     (Source: NYT Health)
Source: NYT Health - May 4, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: By KATIE THOMAS Tags: Pfizer Inc PFE NYSE Drugs (Pharmaceuticals) Food and Drug Administration Zetia (Drug) Cholesterol Lipitor (Drug) Merck & Company Inc MRK NYSE Source Type: news

FDA approves Merck's Liptruzet (atorvastatin/ezetimibe)FDA approves Merck's Liptruzet (atorvastatin/ezetimibe)
The combination, known as Liptruzet, is approved for the treatment of elevated LDL cholesterol levels in patients with primary or mixed hyperlipidemia as an adjunct to dietary changes. FDA Approvals (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - May 4, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cardiology News Alert Source Type: news

Merck's Cholesterol Pill Win Is Already Drawing Fire
The Food and Drug Administration just approved Liptruzet, a new cholesterol-lowering pill that combines the generically available ingredient available in Pfizer's Lipitor with Merck's Zetia. Merck has been working to get the combination pill approved for several years -- and one critic is already saying it was a mistake to approve the combination drug. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)
Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News - May 3, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Matthew Herper Source Type: news

FDA OKs Liptruzet for High LDL
(MedPage Today) -- The FDA approved Liptruzet, a combination of ezetimibe and atorvastatin, for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, drug maker Merck announced today. (Source: MedPage Today Cardiovascular)
Source: MedPage Today Cardiovascular - May 3, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news

FDA approves atorvastatin/ezetimibe combo tablet
The combination, known as Liptruzet, is approved for the treatment of elevated LDL-cholesterol levels in patients with primary or mixed hyperlipidemia as an adjunct to dietary changes. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - May 3, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news

FDA Approves Combination Of Ezetimibe And Atorvastatin
The FDA has approved a new combination drug from Merck for lowering cholesterol. The drug, which will carry the brand name of Liptruzet, is a combination of two previously approved cholesterol-lowering drugs, ezetimibe and atorvastatin. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)
Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News - May 3, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Larry Husten Source Type: news

FDA approves Merck combination cholesterol lowering pill
(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a Merck & Co cholesterol lowering pill that combines a generic version of Pfizer Inc's Lipitor with its own Zetia, Merck said on Friday. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - May 3, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news

FDA Approves Merck’s LIPTRUZET™ (ezetimibe and atorvastatin), a New Product That Can Help Powerfully Lower LDL Cholesterol
Dateline City:  WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. LIPTRUZET Approved for Patients with Primary or Mixed Hyperlipidemia, as an Adjunct to Diet When Diet Alone Is Not Enough Merck (NYSE:MRK), 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 w...
Source: Merck.com - Corporate News - May 3, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Maria.tortoreto at merck.com Tags: Research and Development News Corporate News Latest News Source Type: news

Pfizer Cuts Outlook
Pfizer's first-quarter revenue fell 9% and the drug maker lowered its full-year outlook, as the company struggles to replace billions of dollars in lost sales of cholesterol fighter Lipitor. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)
Source: WSJ.com: Health - May 1, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Tags: PAID Source Type: news