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.

FDA approves Bayer's finerenone to treat wide range of heart failure patients
Finerenone, sold by Bayer under the brand name Kerendia, is now approved in the United States for the treatment of HFmrEF and HFpEF. The drug has already been used for years to treat patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.
Statin use may protect patients from subarachnoid hemorrhages
Statins appear to be the most impactful for patients diagnosed with hypertension or cerebrovascular disease.
FDA grants breakthrough therapy designation to new drug candidate for FA cardiomyopathy
The new drug, LX2006, has already received the FDA's fast track designation. This latest distinction was based on early data from two separate clinical trials.
FDA finalizes new heart warnings for COVID-19 vaccines
The new warnings, first proposed to Pfizer and Moderna in April, are now officially required by the FDA. They provide additional information about the potential risks of myocarditis and/or pericarditis associated with these vaccines.
New report raises questions about data that helped heart drug gain FDA approval
Ticagrelor, an antiplatelet medication from AstraZeneca commonly prescribed by cardiologists, gained FDA approval back in 2011. The author of a new investigative report, however, is raising several concerns about the data used to secure that approval.

CVS, Walgreens and Walmart ordered to pay $650M for role in opioid epidemic

Three major pharmacy names will have to fork over hundreds of millions of dollars to two Ohio counties for their roles in the opioid epidemic, a judge has ruled.

Merck Januvia Janumet Steglujan Nitroso-STG-19 (NTTP) type 2 diabetes

Possible carcinogen detected in multiple type 2 diabetes medications

To avoid a potential shortage, FDA officials have said the medications can be sold to patients on a temporary basis.

SAPT after TAVR preferred over DAPT, new meta-analysis confirms

An international team of researchers, led by specialists from Cleveland Clinic, found that DAPT was consistently linked to a greater risk of major or life-threatening bleeding events.

This latest shortage involves dobutamine, an injectable medication often prescribed for advanced heart failure and cardiogenic shock. It is also a central component of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE), a test used to evaluate patients with severe aortic stenosis.

A new supply issue hits cardiology: 5 recommendations for cardiologists during the dobutamine shortage

The shortage could lead to significant issues for cardiologists. The American College of Cardiology provided some words of wisdom on the ongoing issue.

Programmable RNA-DNA anticoagulant fibers may provide a better balance between blood clots and bleeding risks

“We can learn from nature, but we have built something that has never been introduced before,” one researcher said.

Autoimmune patients caught in crossfire of Supreme Court's Roe decision

Some patients with certain autoimmune diseases are finding it difficult to obtain their prescriptions for methotrexate as a result of changing abortion care laws.

“We need an answer now”: Cardiologist awarded $2.3M to study cannabis use and heart health in people living with HIV

The four-year analysis will use cardiac MRI scans to closely monitor the heart health of people living with HIV who regularly use cannabis to treat their symptoms.

Catheter-directed thrombolysis boosts survival rates for submassive pulmonary embolism

The new meta-analysis included data from nearly 10,000 patients.

Pharmaceutics

FDA approves Bayer's finerenone to treat wide range of heart failure patients

Statin use may protect patients from subarachnoid hemorrhages

FDA grants breakthrough therapy designation to new drug candidate for FA cardiomyopathy

FDA finalizes new heart warnings for COVID-19 vaccines

New report raises questions about data that helped heart drug gain FDA approval