Yet another update on Exanta

[Simon Gee]

Hi all,

I heard on the radio tonight (on the BBC so it must be true!) that Astra Zeneca are due to release the results of their trials to the US Dept of Health tomorrow. I'm sure that someone will be able to find some details somewhere, so please post them on the site - I know I'm not the only one here who's keen to see the back of warfarin.

Yours still full of rat poison,

Simon

 

[Guest]

Nothing on their website about this since 10-30-03 You can continue to check at http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/

 

[Herb M]

A while ago I read that it will not be recommended for those with mechanical valves.

Exanta is produced by the same company that produced Crestor. There have been many warnings about Crestor. It seems that some of their claims are unsubstantiated. There have been a nunmber of deaths due to Crestor. The same company also produces Tropol-XL which is a long lasting beta blocker. I took it and it caused problems for me, more severe than other beta blockers I have taken.

So, I will wait a year after Exanta becomes available before I consider taking it, if it is recommended for mechanical valve recipients.

 

[Joe Gutstadt]

Will the real AstraZeneca STAND UP!

Will the real AstraZeneca STAND UP!

In confirmation of above post from Herb M, AstraZeneca,(AZ)
as recently as last month has been taken to task for
the marketing of Crestor(Rosuvastin) by THE LANCET.
England's highly respected medical journal.

In an editorial on October 25, 2003, THE LANCET...said,

"....AZ tactics raise distrubing questions"
"..."safety cannot be assured"
"...no reliable data about efficacy and safety"
"...AZ is facing unusually acute commercial pressure to
force rosuvastin (Crestor) into the market"
"...doctors should pause before prescribing this drug"
"...AZ has pushed its marketing machine too hard and too fast."

London based AstraZeneca is the fifth largest drug
manufacturer in the world. As developers of EXANTA,
they have promoted it so far as an oral anticoagulant in
reducing blood clots after knee replacement surgery and
for those suffering from deep vein thrombosis.

Will EXANTA ever replace Warifin or Coumadin?
Only the future will tell. Don't hold your breath waiting.

What are the facts? What are the rumors? What is the Truth?
Someone much more knowledgable will have to answer.
That's why this forum is a great vehicle for information.

THE LANCET article can be found at-

www.thelancet.com
You will have to register to reach the archives-
Volume 362, Number 9393, editorial review.

Will attempt to attach the editorial as a pdf.
However, not sure if it will transfer O.K or how
the image will replicate.

 

[Guest]

Another report came out today at the American Heart Association meeting. The finding was that ximelagatran was not inferior to warfarin. Notice that I did not say equal, I said not inferior. This is a very important distinction because of the way non-inferiority trials deal with people who dropped out. Because of this they are not allowed by the FDA to say that it was equal. This is the first drug that I know of that was allowed to run non-inferiority trials.

They have never shown Exanta to be superior to warfarin in controlling bleeding and may even have a slightly higher bleeding rate.

 

[Joe Gutstadt]

Interesting observation, AL!

Interesting observation, AL!

The study is available at-

http://astrazeneca.com/pressrelease/694.aspx

Just noticed in my post above I incorrectly spelled Warfarin.

I guess I should go to the blackboard and write it ten times.
Don't imagine they have students doing that any longer
these days.

 

[Guest]

The Exanta group had almost twice as many clotting events as my clinic. The call them SEE's in the study. I had 0.97% per patient year over the period of 1999-2002. They had 1.6% per patient year. Their warfarin group had 1.2% per patient year.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Way too controversial. Think someone here stated they would wait a good five years if the drug "happened" to be approved for valve patients.

Long term effects on the liver are scary in itself. What's that old saying "if it's not broke...don't fix it". Personally not interested in being a test project. My feeling is that Exantra may not make it past trials for valve patients. Plan on sticking with the tried and true myself Or until the track record is fully proven. All good thoughts and it would be amazing if it worked well!