The string of failures– for HDL therapies in general and for niacin in particular– continues unabated. The publication of the main results of the HPS2-THRIVE trial, along with new information from the AIM-HIGH trial, provide no evidence of a beneficial effect for niacin but do fuel concerns that it may cause serious adverse effects. ……
HPS2-THRIVE: A ‘Disappointing But Clear’ Result
March 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The results of HPS2-THRIVE were “disappointing but clear,” said Jane Armitage, who presented the results this morning at the ACC in San Francisco. HPS2-THRIVE randomized 25,673 high-risk patients who could tolerate niacin to either placebo or extended-release niacin plus laropiprant (Tredaptive, Merck), an anti-flushing agent, in addition to background therapy. The primary endpoint was the time to…
Merck Starts To Suspend Worldwide Availability Of Tredaptive
January 11, 2013 by Leave a Comment
In the wake of the negative HPS2-THRIVE study announced last month, Merck said today that it was beginning to suspend the worldwide availability of Tredaptive, its combination of extended-release niacin and laropiprant. Click here to read the full story on Forbes….
Should Niacin Still Be Prescribed? William Boden Versus Harlan Krumholz
January 9, 2013 by 1 Comment
In the wake of HPS2-THRIVE many have argued that there is no longer any reason to prescribe niacin. William Boden, the lead investigator of AIM-HIGH and COURAGE, thinks there were enough flaws in the design of the niacin trials to justify the cautious use of niacin in certain circumstances. Says Boden: “There is evidence of…
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