New Drug Update 2010-2011 Faculty Disclaimer - CME Conferences
New Drug Update 2010-2011 Faculty Disclaimer - CME Conferences
New Drug Update 2010-2011 Faculty Disclaimer - CME Conferences
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2 nd Annual Essentials in Primary Care<br />
Fall Conference<br />
Friday, November 11, <strong>2011</strong><br />
FDA Safety <strong>Update</strong> Simvastatin<br />
• Fifty-two patients (0.9%) in the 80-mg group versus one<br />
patient (0.02%) in the 20-mg group developed myopathy<br />
(defined as unexplained muscle weakness or pain with a<br />
serum CK >10 times the upper limit of normal [ULN]). This was<br />
higher than the labeled risk (based on clinical trial data) of<br />
0.53%.<br />
• Twenty-two patients (0.4%) in the 80-mg group versus no<br />
patient in the 20-mg group developed rhabdomyolysis<br />
(defined as unexplained muscle weakness or pain with serum<br />
CK >40 times ULN).<br />
• The risks for myopathy and rhabdomyolysis with simvastatin<br />
80 mg were highest in the first 12 months of treatment, 5 per<br />
1000 person-years and 2 per 1000 person-years, respectively,<br />
and decreased to 1 per 1000 person-years and 0.4 per 1000<br />
person-years after that.<br />
FDA Safety <strong>Update</strong> Simvastatin<br />
6-8-<strong>2011</strong> FDA Safety <strong>Update</strong><br />
• Based upon data from the SEARCH Trial the FDA is<br />
recommending limiting the use of the highest<br />
approved dose of the cholesterol-lowering<br />
medication, simvastatin (80 mg) because of<br />
increased risk of muscle damage.<br />
• Simvastatin 80 mg should be used only in patients<br />
who have been taking this dose for 12 months or<br />
more without evidence of muscle injury (myopathy).<br />
• Simvastatin 80 mg should not be started in new<br />
patients, including patients already taking lower<br />
doses of the drug.<br />
Wayne Weart<br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>Drug</strong> <strong>Update</strong> Part I