GELX has major cholesterol news
CHICAGO, Sep 13, 1999 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- A study report
published in the current issue of Archives of Internal Medicine shows
that Cholestagel(R), a new drug for lowering blood cholesterol, reduced
low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by as much as 19%,
without producing the high rate of side effects commonly associated
with drugs of this type (primarily constipation and intestinal gas).
Dr. Michael H. Davidson, President of the Chicago Center for Clinical
Trials (CCCR), a division of Protocare Trials, was the study's primary
author.
"The lower incidence of side-effects is significant, because it should
increase compliance among patients, " said Dr. Davidson. "Despite
increased awareness among the public and physicians, high blood
cholesterol levels still commonly go unaddressed or are undertreated.
With increased compliance, we will have greater success in lowering
cholesterol, therefore reducing the risk of heart disease." Based on
changes in blood cholesterol concentrations, patients taking the
highest dose of Cholestagel(R) showed reductions in heart disease risk
of nearly 40%. Of the 149 men and women who participated, 93% completed
the six-week study. The high completion rate was attributed to the low
incidence of side effects.
This study was sponsored by GelTex Pharmaceuticals, the maker of
Cholestagel(R). GelTex has submitted an application to the Food and
Drug Administration for approval to market this medication in the
United States.
Protocare Trials conducts clinical trials on behalf of pharmaceutical,
biotechnology, nutrition and device manufacturers in a wide array of
therapeutic areas. In addition to CCCR, the company owns and operates
the Nutrition and Metabolism Research Unit; the Chicago Center for
Clinical Research, North Shore; Georgia Research Associates; the Irvine
Center for Clinical Research; the Pharmacology Research Clinics of Salt
Lake City and Las Vegas; Phoenix Center for Clinical Research; the Mesa
Center for Clinical Research; Pacific Research Network, and Southeast
Research Associates.
Protocare Trials is a subsidiary of Protocare, Inc., which also owns
Protocare Sciences, a provider of disease management and analytic
services designed to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of
healthcare. Protocare is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.
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