Insidermedicine in 60 - January 18, 2008

From Chicago - Statins do not appear to prevent the development of Alzheimer's. While some previous research has suggested that the cholesterol lowering medication may also lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's, a new study of nearly 1000 subjects followed for 12 years showed that these medicines did not have a beneficial effect on cognition and did not result in a lower risk for the disease.

From Maryland - The FDA has issued a strong warning against the use of over the counter cough and cold medicines for children between 2 and 6 years of age. The medicines can cause rapid heart rate, convulsions and even death in some patients. While many manufacturers have voluntarily withdrawn their infant products from pharmacies, a recent study found that over 40% of parents are unaware of the risks associated with the use of these over the counter products in infants and young children.

And finally, from Pittsburgh - A virus has been implicated in the rare and frequently lethal Merkel cell carcinoma. A study evaluating both Merkel cell carcinoma and control lesions, found the presence of polyomavirus in 80% of Merkel cell lesions compared to only 8% of controls. The cancer occurs in 1500 patients per year in the US, most of whom have AIDS or are immune suppressed.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• statin
• cholesterol
• alzheimers
• brain
• plaque
• cough
• medicine
• dimetapp
• robitussin
• cold
• virus
• merkel
• cancer
• cell
• medical
• hiv

[tickyul]

@SuddenattackGaming Thanks, the old man disintegrated in quite short order, a very nonlinear decline, then death. But, these things are being pushed by all of the doctors now, they tried to get me to take them. There is a website called "askapatient", it is filled with comments about statins (and other meds), most of the comments are very negative.

[SuddenattackGaming]

@tickyul Omg.. i am sooo sorry :'(

[tickyul]

I truly believe that statins caused my father to have a stroke. At 75 his doctor said he had some plaque in his arteries (never effected him from what I saw) and prescribed a statin. After that it was all downhill, muscle wasting, weight loss, pain, eventually onto oxygen, amnesia, dementia and eventually a fatal bleeding stroke at 79.