[NPInfo] re: Question from Dave

[Sue Wiers]

I am reading this and can't imagine what the cardiologist's goal is if not reduction of mobidity and mortality???  Modifying risk factors, including cholesterol levels, is aimed at reducing one's chance for a negative outcome.  What would be the benefit of lowering lipids if not reduction in one's risk for a major event?  
 
However, I believe that the jury is out on Zetia and Vytorin.  I have few patients on either product as I prefer to achieve cholesterol reduction in the most cost-effective method possible.  Maximal use of a generic statin (hopefully with lifestyle modifications on the part of the patient) can often get the job done for a lot less money.  For those patients whom I 'inherited' on Vytorian or Zetia, as they come, I assess whether they were likely maxed out on their statin or whether they could tolerate a statin (if in Zetia alone).  I am likely to make a switch in that population if I don't think a statin alone was given a fair trial.  For the rare person whom I have on those products because other methods failed, I will discuss the uncertainties and will decide collaboratively.  Interestingly, I haven't had patents calling and asking about it.  I am not quick to jump either on or off band wagons.
 
Sue Wiers



> From: GIN11153 at aol.com> Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:04:32 -0500> To: NPInfo at nurse.net> Subject: [NPInfo] re: Question from Dave> > > I asked my cardiologist a few weeks ago what he's doing, as he and I both > take it. He said he has no plans to stop taking it or to stop prescribing it. He > said that it lowers cholesterol and triglycerides as it's supposed to do and > said the hoopla is ridiculous . It was never marketed as a drug to prevent > heart attacks. > > Gail Neuman RNC CPHW> student midwife and student nurse practitioner> certified high risk OB/OB legal consultant> Perinatal Nurse Associates> 801 N. Tustin Ave., Suite 305> Santa Ana, CA 92705> (714) 314-7070> (714) 838-1479 fax> > "God doesn't require us to succeed; he only requires that you try."> --_Mother Teresa_ > (http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1979/teresa-bio.html) > > > > > > > **************The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy > Awards. Go to AOL Music. > (http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565)> _______________________________________________> NPInfo mailing list> NPInfo at nurse.net> http://lists.nurse.net/mailman/listinfo/npinfo> *****************************
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