Weekly Pharmacy Update's...
Closer look at the most talked about new drugs!

Find out the benefits of Glucosamine/Chondroitin click here!

Xenical (orlistat) from Hoffman La Roche is a new weight management drug to treat obesity that has been on the horizon for some time. The FDA has recently issued a conditional letter of approvability helping the drug to come closer to the marketplace. Approval of this drug has been delayed because of concerns that the drug could increase the risk of breast cancer. Ten out of 1,016 women taking the active drug during trials developed breast cancer compared to one in 579 women who were taking a placebo. Roche said it has reevaluated the breast cancer issue and says that there is no evidence of a link between Xenical and the development of breast cancer. Final approval should not be far away. As reported earlier on the Weekly Pharmacy Update, Xenical is a lipase inhibitor or a fat blocker. Lipase is the enzyme in our bodies that breaks down fats to be absorbed. By inhibiting this enzyme the drug can reduce the amount of fat absorbed by up to 30%. In trials the average patient lost 10% of their body weight. Xenical has also shown to cause a slight DECREASE in blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.

With the approval of Xenical for sales in the US, here is a quick review of the new obesity drug. Xenical (orlistat) is manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals. Xenical is unlike the other diet drugs like the popular Phen-Fen treatment which are appetite suppressants. Xenical is a lipase inhibitor or a fat blocker. Lipase is the enzyme in our bodies that breaks down fats to be absorbed so by inhibiting this enzyme the drug can reduce the amount of fat absorbed by up to 30%. The un absorbed fat is eliminated in the bowel. This could lead to potential side effects including oily, fatty stools, an increase in the number of bowel movements, urgency,  and increase in gas production. People who have had problems digesting foods (chronic malabsorption) or who have gall bladder problems should consult their doctor before initiating therapy with Xenical. Xenical has shown to cause a slight DECREASE in blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Xenical is intended to be combined with a reduced calorie diet and even a physical activity program. Talk to your doctor about a diet plan.

Viagra (sildenafil) is now available at your local pharmacy. After being approved this new impotence drug has drawn a lot of interest as being the only oral drug for the treatment of impotent men available on the market. Viagra works by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase in the penis. Blocking this enzyme allows for smooth muscle relaxation leading to more blood flow to the penis and thus an erection. This drug which was being tested in early studies for the treatment of angina is effective and about 70% of the men who tried the drug in studies got improved erections. The tablet will help, but sexual stimulation is still needed to cause the erection. Don't expect just to get an erection from just taking the tablet alone, you still need to be sexually stimulated for the errection to occur. Viagra is normally dosed one 50mg tablet by mouth one hour before sex. Men over the age of 65 and those with liver or kidney impairment may need to start with a 25mg tablet. These tablets are expensive, expect to pay about $9 or more for each tablet, but remember only one tablet is needed to cause an erection. Common side effects to be expected from the drug include facial flushing, indigestion, headache, and temporary vision disturbances. The vision problems relate to the ability to distinguish between blue and green colors. Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking erythromycin, Nizoral, or Sporanox because of potential drug interactions between Viagra and these drugs. For more information ask your doctor or pharmacist.