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Novartis has proposed improving Galvus risk/benefit profile through use of approved 50 mg once-daily and twice-daily doses instead of approved 100 mg once-daily

Novartis has provided a safety update to European regulators of pooled data showing numerically less frequent liver enzyme elevations in patients who took either 50 mg per day or 50 mg twice daily of Galvus ( Vildagliptin ) compared to 100 mg once-daily. As a result, Novartis has proposed changes to...
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Chronic hepatitis B: Viread more effective than Hepsera

Studies 102 and 103 have compared Viread ( Tenofovir disoproxil ) to Hepsera ( Adefovir dipivoxil ) among patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B and patients with HBeAg-positive hepatitis B, respectively. Results from both studies show that patients with chronic hepatitis B who received ...
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Fingolimod shows benefits in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis

The Phase II trial data showed that Fingolimod ( FTY720 ) taken once-daily during the initial six months of treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis reduced the rate of inflammatory disease activity - as measured by magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) - by up to 80% and cut clinical relapses by mor...
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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease linked to increased risk of heart disease

A study on the relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ) and heart disease found that patients with an elevated level of the enzyme associated with NAFLD had an increased risk of coronary heart disease, which appears to be related to insulin resistance, obesity and central fat ...
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Rosuvastatin plus diet in hypercholesterolemic adults unable to tolerate other statins

Patients with high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) might not tolerate HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, also known as statins, because of adverse effects and might not respond well enough to non-statin lipid-lowering therapies to meet LDL-cholesterol goals. The purpose of a s...
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Antibiotic Telithromycin linked to severe hepatotoxicity

Annals of Internal Medicine published an article reporting three patients who experienced serious liver toxicity following administration of Ketek ( Telithromycin ). These cases have also been reported to FDA ( Food and Drug Administration ) MedWatch. Telithromycin is an antibiotic of the ketoli...
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High fat diet alters hepatic immune system in mice

Mice that were fed diets high in fat and sugar developed immune system abnormalities in their livers, including reduced numbers of natural killer T ( NKT ) cells. These diet-related changes may contribute to obesity-related liver disease. The study is published in the Hepatology, the official jo...
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Type 2 diabetes, Vytorin reduces LDL cholesterol better than Lipitor

Results from a new prespecified analysis of the VYVA ( VYtorin Versus Atorvastatin ) trial involving a subgroup of 428 patients with type 2 diabetes were consistent with the overall VYVA trial. In this new analysis, results showed that Vytorin ( Ezetimibe/Simvastatin ), provided 56% reduction in...
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Coronary heart disease, high-versus low dose Atorvastatin

The Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program ( NCEP ) - Adult Treatment Panel and the most recent guidelines of the Third Joint Task Force of European and Other Societies on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice have recommended an LDL cholesterol level of less tha...
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