Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : Biotech Valuation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Robohogs who wrote (14032)	11/11/2004 11:00:59 AM
From: jayhawk969	Respond to of 52153

As a user of Lipitor, I am interested to hear what the experts here think is the best drug for high cholesterol. . Jon I am interested in that as well. I have used various statins for 12 years, The last Lipitor, for most of that period. My Dr. has encouraged me to look at Crestor, potentially at 5mg per day as I respond well to the 10 Mg doses. My physical is in early December and I will likely try Crestor. Have read the stuff on Medline. My exercise helps to keep my HDL relatively high. I have also paid for the detailed blood tests that break the HDL and LDL into the bad LDL and not so bad LDL, and the HDL into the Positive HDL and not so positive HDL. This past 12 months I have changed my diet and stopped taking Lipitor. Interim test showed that my total cholesterol increased from 170 to 205. If it continues to show an increase I will go back on a Statin either Lipitor or Crestor.

To: Robohogs who wrote (14032)	11/12/2004 10:53:52 AM
From: Biomaven	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 52153

<Lipitor> Seems to be the best of the statins in my view. Or more precisely, there's currently more evidence for it being good than for any of the others, which may have something to do with Pfizer's willingness to spend big bucks on trials. But at high doses it still has risks. I personally would add Niaspan before going to a high dose of a statin, and I'd stay completely away from Crestor - I just don't believe that lowering cholestorol by itself is a good thing. (I believe Crestor will still sell well, but that's a different topic). For general cardiac health it's pretty clear a Mediterranean diet is the way to go - olive oil, fish, wine, fruits, nuts and vegetables. (And of course exercise). In terms of supplements, the only clear ones are those that reduce homocysteine - notably folic acid and B6. But again I'd argue for moderation - vitamins sometimes start acting as drugs when you take them in huge mega-doses, and as drugs they have generally not been well studied. I'd say on balance the evidence also supports Co-Q10 supplements for those taking statins. For those that don't eat fish at least twice a week, fish oil supplements seem like a good idea as well. Fish consumption dramatically reduces sudden cardiac death - seems to somehow prevent arrythmias in those who have mild heart attacks. (There was a NEJM article on this a year or two ago). Peter (who of course is not a doctor or a scientist)