* Ezetimibe. The U diet and Drug A...

* Ezetimibe. The U diet and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ezetimibe (Zetia) for cholesterol reduction. Ezetimibe is the first in a of recent origin class of cholesterol-lowering agents that inhibits the intestinal absorption of cholesterol The dosage of ezetimibe is 10 mg one time daily. It can be used by dint of itself or in combination with statins in patients with high cholesterol in order to contract LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol flats The patient also should go in the rear [i]or[/i] in the wake of an appropriate diet and exercise program.

Ezetimibe should not be taken according to people who are allergic to any of its ingredients. When combined with a statin, ezetimibe should not be taken at anyone with active liver disease or unexplained persistent liver enzyme elevations. In addition, liver function experiments should be performed at the start of therapy and after that in accordance with the label for the particular statin. Liver function trials are not required when ezetimibe is used alone.

Ezetimibe is not approveed for patients with moderate or rigorous hepatic insufficiency.

The chiefly frequent adverse events reported in clinical trials were back pain, abdominal pain, and arthralgia, according to the manufacturer.

* Teriparatide. The FDA has approved teriparatide (rDNA origin) injection (Forteo) for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk for fractures. The unsalable article also was approved for use by the agency of men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis who are at high risk for fractures.

Teriparatide is the first medicine in a new class of bone formation agents that work primarily on increasing the number and action of osteoblasts. The unsalable article will be available in a disposable encage device that patients can use for self-injection. Teriparatide should be taken for up to sum of two units years.

In clinical trials, teriparatide appeared to increase leg cramps and dizziness. The chiefly frequent treatment-related adverse events were mild, similar to placebo, and did not require discontinuation of therapy.

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians

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