LIPITOR-A CLOSER LOOK

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LIPITOR-A CLOSER LOOK

http://www.newswithviews.com/Ellison/shane6.htm

Shane Ellison

April 15, 2003 NewsWithViews.com

 

Cholesterol lowering drugs in the USA, known as statins, were the most widely

sold pharmaceutical drugs in 2002. Accounting for 6.5% of the total market

share, statins raked in 12.5 billion dollars! These drugs are dealt to the

public by the masses with the rhetoric of preventing early death from

cardiovascular disease (CVD). Yet, the absolute number of deaths from

cardiovascular

disease - 750,000 deaths per year - has not changed for the last 25 years.

 

Still though, drug companies make every effort to convince the public that

cholesterol-lowering drugs are not only effective at preventing CVD but also

safe. They even go as far as lying. For instance, Pfizer publicizes that

rhabdomyolysis (i.e. muscle deterioration exhibited by muscle pain, tenderness,

or

weakness) and myopathy (muscular dystrophies) only occur with " other drugs " in

the statin class, not Lipitor (see ads in Time, Readers Digest, Good

Houskeeping, Womans Day and Health). However, in 2002, the FDA sent a letter to

Pfizer

stating that, based on Pfizer's own clinical trials, this was simply untrue.

Consequently, they were in clear violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and

Cosmetic Act by making these false claims. More specifically, in their letter to

Pfizer, the FDA stated that Pfizer's advertisements " fail to disclose that

Lipitor

has the same potential risk of rhabdomyolysis and myopathy as other

lipid-lowering statin drugs. " Despite Pfizer's non-compliance with the law, the

FDA did

not press charges.

 

Pfizer's false advertising isn't the only action taken to procure profits

from cholesterol lowering drug sales. Clinical trials showed that Lipitor is

effective at doses ranging from 2.5mg to 5mg. , , However, in a race for more

money, Pfizer demands that Lipitor be prescribed starting at 10mg. This starting

dose is approximately 300% higher than the effective dose! More astounding,

doctors are now prescribing up to 80mgs! If this is not capitalistic drug

dealing, What is?

 

If you are currently taking statins this fact elucidates why you are required

to go in for regular liver testing, you are being overdosed. Fortunately, 50%

of those who take cholesterol lowering drugs quit voluntarily due to

experiencing negative side effects.

 

Considering that the absolute number of deaths from cardiovascular disease

has not changed for the last 25 years, statin drug users may want reconsider

their approach to prevention and their blind loyalty to statin drugs. USA Today

reported, " Statins have killed and injured more people than the government has

acknowledged " .

 

Despite American Dogma, you don't have to be a drug addict to be healthy.

Safe and effective natural medicines (nutraceuticals) that help to prevent both

cardiovascular disease and the negative side effects from statins are abundant.

Seek education rather than prescriptions.

 

Reference:

 

1. Alternative Medicine Review. Volume 6, Number 3, 2001

2. Food and Drug Administration. Letter sent by Joan Hankin to Christopher A.

Graham of Pfizer Inc.

3. Cohen, S. Jay. Over Dose. 2001. ISBN 1-58542-123-5

4. Netherlands Journal of Medicine, April 1998, 52 (4):131-7

5. Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 1995, 15:678-682

6. Sternberg, Steve. USA Today. 08/20/2001

 

 

--

 

Shane holds a Master's degree in organic chemistry and has first-hand

industry experience with drug research, design and synthesis. He knows

American's

want and deserve education, not prescriptions!

 

Send a blank email to cholesteroldrugs and get his " must

have " , 5-part eCourse entitled " The Facts You Should Know about

Cardiovascular Disease " for FREE!

 

Visit: http://www.health-fx.net for cutting edge nutraceuticals.