News Tagged ‘warfarin

Surgeons hopeful about new alternatives to heparin

Surgeons are anticipating the approval of new blood thinners that could replace more conventional methods currently in use, according to the Ortho SuperSite, a resource for orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists.

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Heart device may eliminate need for heparin, warfarin

A small device implanted in the heart to stop blood clots from triggering strokes could serve as an alternative to blood thinners such as heparin and warfarin, according to a new study conducted by the device’s maker, Atritech, Inc. The device, called the Watchman, is designed specifically for patients with atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat.

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FDA panel recommends agency approval of heparin alternative

blood cells 100x100A Food and Drug Administration () advisory panel voted last week to recommend agency approval of experimental rivaroxaban, according to Forbes. The medication, made by Johnson & Johnson and Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, is designed to be used on a short-term basis to prevent pulmonary embolism and deep-vein thrombosis in patients having total knee or hip replacement surgery. Blood clots are common after such surgeries.

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Celgene issues letter warning of limited use of heparin drug

Just weeks after the requested revised labeling for the low molecular weight heparin, Innohep, the announced that its maker Celgene Corporation has issued a “Dear Healthcare Professional” letter describing a controlled clinical study that suggests an increased risk of death in elderly patients who received Innohep. Innohep contains tinzaparin sodium that is given to patients in conjunction with warfarin sodium intravenously to treat blood clots that have occurred deep in the veins of hospitalized patients who may or may not have also experienced the occurrence of blood clots in their lungs (pulmonary embolism).

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Drug makers rush to produce new blood thinners

New blood-thinning medicines are in the works and to offer doctors more options in treatment and prevention of blood clots, according to Bloomberg. Bloomberg reports that at least six companies are working on blood thinners to take advantage of a growing need. According to Datamonitor, a London-based research company, the anticoagulation drug market is expected to reach $20 million by 2012.

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FDA requests better labeling of low molecular weight heparin

The FDA announced this week that it has received information about the Innohep in Renal Insufficiency Study (IRIS) that was stopped in February because of an interim finding of increased all-cause mortality in patients who received Innohep. Innohep contains tinzaparin sodium, a low molecular weight heparin that is given to patients in conjunction with warfarin sodium intravenously to treat blood clots that have occurred deep in the veins of hospitalized patients who may or may not have also experienced the occurrence of blood clots in their lungs (pulmonary embolism).

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Pharmaceutical companies developing drugs to fight blood clots

Five pharmaceutical companies are working on new medications to treat blood clots, also known as thrombosis, according to The Wall Street Journal. Thrombosis is a serious problem affecting nearly 900,000 Americans each year, and resulting in nearly 300,00 deaths annually. Currently, heparin and Vitamin K antagonists are the only two principal treatments for blood clots.

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