liver function tests can be done less frequently for patients taking statins

May 1998

The FDA now says liver function tests can be done lessfrequently for patients taking statins.

They used to recommend LFTs at baseline...6 weeks...12 weeks...then every 6 months after starting a statin or increasing the dose.

Now the labeling for Zocor recommends LFTs at baseline, 6 months,and 1 year. For Pravachol, it's only at baseline and at 12 weeks.

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Table of Contents

tamoxifen (Nolvadex) to PREVENT breast cancer
Renal & Urology new impotence drug, Viagra (sildenafil)
Renal & Urology Detrol (tolterodine) for urinary frequency, urgency, or urge incontinence
Cardiology whether more patients with heart failure should get warfarin
Cardiology Ticlid seems to increase the risk of another potentially fatal blood disorder
Diabetes Prandin (repaglinide), a new oral hypoglycemic for type 2 diabetes
recommending vitamin and mineral supplements
Lice unusual head lice treatments
Cholesterol Pravachol (pravastatin) and Zocor (simvastatin) are now approved to prevent STROKE
Cholesterol liver function tests can be done less frequently for patients taking statins
Cholesterol Tricor (fenofibrate) for patients with high triglycerides (TGs)
Ophthalmology several new prescription eye drops for allergies and inflammation
Parkinson's Disease changes in the treatment of Parkinson's
attention on adverse drug reactions
Cardiology higher doses of ACE inhibitors