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zorbman
blarrr


Registered: 06/04/04
Posts: 5,952
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Deaths linked to statins
#4463174 - 07/28/05 02:14 AM (18 years, 7 months ago) |
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The Sunday Times - Britain March 06, 2005 -------------------------- Experts are calling for a complete safety review of heart drugs taken by millions of Britons. Government figures released last week show that 92 deaths have been linked to the statin drugs developed to lower cholesterol.
It is believed that the death toll could be higher because doctors are reluctant to blame drugs they prescribe for harming patients. More than 37 of the deaths were attributed to a formulation called simvastatin which is now being sold over the counter in low doses under the brand name Zocor.
Many specialists are concerned that the drug, produced by Merck, should be available without a prescription. A statin called Lipitor, made by Pfizer, was associated with 36 of the deaths.
Three other leading statin brands ? Novartis?s Lescol, BMS?s Lipostat and AstraZeneca?s Crestor ? have been associated with 19 deaths since they were introduced in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
As well as the deaths there have also been reports of 7,000 side effects reported to the Department of Health by doctors, including kidney and liver damage and muscle weakness.
Anxiety about overuse of the drugs is coupled with a growing body of research suggesting the connection between cholesterol levels and health is more complex than previously thought. A number of investigations have found that people with higher amounts of cholesterol live longer than those with lower levels, suggesting it may only be a cause of heart disease in much younger people.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1512613,00.html
-------------------- “The crisis takes a much longer time coming than you think, and then it happens much faster than you would have thought.” -- Rudiger Dornbusch
Edited by zorbman (07/29/05 12:53 PM)
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Le_Canard
The Duk Abides

Registered: 05/16/03
Posts: 94,392
Loc: Earthfarm 1
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Re: Deaths linked to statins [Re: zorbman]
#4467930 - 07/29/05 04:50 AM (18 years, 7 months ago) |
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Yet this article fails to mention the millions of prescriptions written for these statins, and those who have had no problems whatsoever from their use. EVERY drug is going to have undesirable effects, sometime with fatal results, but should we cease their use based on a handful of unfortuanate deaths? And how many of these fatalities had advanced, pre-existing heart conditions which may have contributed to their demise? My step-father, an MD for over 40 years, has had no fatalities from the use of these drugs in his patients. I, myself, have been on Zocor for two years, and have experienced none of these side effects. At 34, I had astronomical cholesterol numbers, and Zocor has brought my LDL levels to normal levels. Considering the fact that my biological father died of severe blockage in almost all his cardiac arteries at the age of 42. I do believe these drugs will greatly reduce my chance of following his footsteps....
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zorbman
blarrr


Registered: 06/04/04
Posts: 5,952
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Re: Deaths linked to statins [Re: Le_Canard]
#4468649 - 07/29/05 11:08 AM (18 years, 7 months ago) |
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Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to perform the same function as statins only inexpensively and safely with none of the negative side effects.
If statins work, they do not do it by lowering cholesterol. It is more likely due to their anti-inflammatory effects- a chief function of omega 3 fatty acids.
-------------------- “The crisis takes a much longer time coming than you think, and then it happens much faster than you would have thought.” -- Rudiger Dornbusch
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newuser1492
Registered: 06/12/03
Posts: 3,104
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Re: Deaths linked to statins [Re: zorbman]
#4469603 - 07/29/05 02:34 PM (18 years, 7 months ago) |
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You really hate statins huh?
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zorbman
blarrr


Registered: 06/04/04
Posts: 5,952
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Re: Deaths linked to statins [Re: newuser1492]
#4469801 - 07/29/05 03:09 PM (18 years, 7 months ago) |
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Is it that obvious? 
I just don't like the dubious science behind them, the dangerous side effects they cause, the deceitful bums that market them, and the unmitigated fraud used to push them.
Other than that I'm perfectly cool with it.
-------------------- “The crisis takes a much longer time coming than you think, and then it happens much faster than you would have thought.” -- Rudiger Dornbusch
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Le_Canard
The Duk Abides

Registered: 05/16/03
Posts: 94,392
Loc: Earthfarm 1
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Re: Deaths linked to statins [Re: zorbman]
#4471826 - 07/29/05 10:34 PM (18 years, 7 months ago) |
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Whilst I have been thinking of getting some omega-3 for quite a while in order to bring up my HDL, I'll stay with the Zocor for a while too.
And as far as my Step-dad being a "deceitful bum" or a fraud, he's forgotten more about health and the human body than you'll ever know, so I'll go by his advice, thank you very much.....
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zorbman
blarrr


Registered: 06/04/04
Posts: 5,952
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Re: Deaths linked to statins [Re: Le_Canard]
#4472565 - 07/30/05 01:13 AM (18 years, 7 months ago) |
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I'm sorry you took my comment to be personal, TD. That was not my intention.  My statement was directed not at your step-father, but the people marketing statins. I'm sure you're step-father is an honorable man and I have no quarrel with him or you.
-------------------- “The crisis takes a much longer time coming than you think, and then it happens much faster than you would have thought.” -- Rudiger Dornbusch
Edited by zorbman (07/30/05 01:19 AM)
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Le_Canard
The Duk Abides

Registered: 05/16/03
Posts: 94,392
Loc: Earthfarm 1
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Re: Deaths linked to statins [Re: zorbman]
#4472989 - 07/30/05 05:48 AM (18 years, 7 months ago) |
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It's cool. And I appreciate that very much! And may I mention that your Omega-3 suggestions do have validity, but more about that later.
It's just that I don't like to see him lumped together with those so-called "medical practitioners" who are only in it for a quick buck - and yes, these disgraces to medicine do exist, I'm sad to report.
My step-dad would see anyone who was sick and came to his office whether or not they could pay (he had quite few pro bono patients). He was, without a doubt, one of the most compassionate people I've ever known. And he was also the one who recommended I take Omega-3 supplements some time ago, so you see, he would've agreed with you on this point! Also, he's thrown out more than a few Drug salemen out of his office. He may have been compassionate, but he also had quite a temper when riled ....
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