Pharmaceutics

This page contains key pharmaceutical news on drug recalls, FDA clearance, safety communications and research. In cardiology, key pharmaceutic agents include antiplatelet therapies, anticoagulants, hypertension drugs, and drugs for heart failure and arrhythmias.

Early use of tirzepatide after heart attack or stroke linked to key cardiovascular benefits
When patients without diabetes land in the hospital after a heart attack or stroke, early treatment with tirzepatide may prove beneficial.
Another win for Wegovy: FDA approves higher semaglutide dose as part of new pilot program
Novo Nordisk will be selling the new 7.2-mg dose under the brand name Wegovy HD. The FDA's decision fell under a new pilot program intended to grant certain companies improved access and quicker approvals.
FDA clears MiniMed’s screenless, smartphone-controlled insulin pump
Just weeks after separating from Medtronic and going public, MiniMed secured FDA clearance for its next-generation insulin pump technology.
Single injection could help heal heart attack damage
Amplifying the body’s natural release of a specific hormone may reduce stress on the heart and limit long‑term damage after myocardial infarctions.
New dyslipidemia guideline puts add-on testing, early screening in the spotlight
The updated recommendations represent a collaboration between the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and several other U.S. healthcare organizations.

How recreational Adderall use affects the heart: a cardiologist’s warning

Students sometimes take unprescribed Adderall to stay up late and study. According to new research out of Mayo Clinic, however, that may do more to the heart than those students realize.

GLP-1 drugs and healthy habits work together to boost heart health, Harvard study confirms

When patients on GLP-1 therapy also make healthy lifestyle choices—getting enough sleep and exercising, for example—the benefits are significantly greater.

Medtronic’s diabetes division seeks $7.9B valuation in upcoming IPO

MiniMed, Medtronic's diabetes business, hopes to sell 28 million shares of its common stock at a price of $25 to $28 per share.

New study of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia finds higher LDL-C levels in women

The American Society for Preventive Cardiology celebrated researchers for uncovering new insights into this rare condition.

Statin labeling should be revised with updated warnings, meta-analysis confirms

Researchers explored data from more than 123,000 patients, noting that dozens of the adverse complications included on current labels can safely be removed.

Esperion Therapeutics Inc. has filed patent infringement lawsuits against eight generic drug makers for filing U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) abbreviated new drug applications (ANDA) to make generic versions of its successful bempedoic acid (Nexletol).

Esperion settles another lawsuit to keep generic versions of popular drug off shelves

As soon as Esperion Therapeutics gained FDA clearance for Nexletol in 2020, competitors started trying to copy it. The company is fighting back.

Nathaniel Lebowitz, MD, in charge of preventive cardiology at Hackensack University Medical Center, and assistant professor of internal medicine at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, gives an overview of where things are at with lipoprotein (a) awareness, testing and drug development. He and is working on the American Heart Associations (AHA) Lp(a) Discovery Project to expand awareness to both physicians and patients. #AHA #LPA

Cardiologist discusses Lp(a), the CVD risk factor responsible for many surprise heart attacks

Cardiologist Nathaniel Lebowitz, MD, reviews the latest updates in lipoprotein(a) awareness, testing and drug development.

Blood glucose monitor instructions updated due to error code linked to 114 injuries

No devices need to be returned or replaced, but the company did want to update their instructions for use.

Pharmaceutics

Early use of tirzepatide after heart attack or stroke linked to key cardiovascular benefits

Another win for Wegovy: FDA approves higher semaglutide dose as part of new pilot program

FDA clears MiniMed’s screenless, smartphone-controlled insulin pump

Single injection could help heal heart attack damage

New dyslipidemia guideline puts add-on testing, early screening in the spotlight