A new study is reporting good results for extended use of the blood thinner apixaban produced by Pfizer Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
A Reuters story says researchers found the drug, sold under brand name Eliquis, reduced the risk of recurrence of potentially deadly clots in the veins and lungs by 80 percent, with no increase in major bleeding.
Apixaban is among a new class of blood thinners meant to replace decades-old warfarin, which is effective but can be difficult to use because it requires dietary restrictions and frequent testing.
A viable replacement for warfarin would be potentially lucrative for pharmaceutical companies, but some drugs recently introduced for that purpose have proven to be problematic.
For example, Boehringer Ingelheim’s Pradaxa has been linked to serious internal bleeding. Pradaxa was the subject of 3,781 adverse effect reports to the FDA last year, including 542 deaths, and surpassed all other monitored drugs in that regard. No antidote is available for Pradaxa-related bleeding emergencies, and the FDA is now conducting a safety review of the drug.
Eliquis is approved in Europe and awaiting a U.S. approval decision for preventing blood clots and strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation, which is a type of irregular heartbeat. The drug is also being tested against warfarin as a primary treatment for venous thromboembolism, with data expected next year.
You should consult with a doctor if you have any ongoing symptoms or health concerns, and before making any changes in medication. You should also consult with a lawyer if you have injuries connected with Pradaxa.
See the story here:
https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/08/us-blood-pfizer-bloodclots-idUSBRE8B70CL20121208
