I am a healthy and fit 55-year-old woman. My bone density test showed that I needed to be supplemented. I cannot take hormones as I had a blood clot, so the doctor prescribed Fosamax. I had awful side effects: muscle pain, joint pain, etc. He has now prescribed Forteo. Is this a good alternative?
I have had painful periods for the past couple of years and have also had ovarian cysts. I had a couple of larger cysts removed about five years ago and was told I had endometriosis at that time. I continue to have pain and now have been told I have a 7 cm cyst on the right ovary. My doctor recommends removing both ovaries and the uterus. I'm just researching the pros and cons. Was wondering if there are any major issues I should be concerned about if I had the uterus and both ovaries removed. I am 42 and do not plan to have children. Given the history of pain and previous cysts, is it a good idea to go ahead and remove everything? Thanks for your time. Melissa
Women who have used the bone-building drug Fosamax are nearly twice as likely to develop the most common kind of chronically irregular heartbeat as those who have never used it. Patients, especially those with family history of heart problems, should talk to their doctor about whether the drug is the appropriate option for them. The study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in April 2008.
Merck & Co. bids adieu to its bone disease blockbuster drug on Wednesday, when the patent finally runs out on Fosamax.
After the latest round of mixed earnings from the biggest players in pharma and biotech, companies are hampered by a frustrating dynamic: a product mix that isn't strong enough to match an exodus of blockbusters.
Biotech Amgen on Thursday reported an increase in earnings and a decrease in sales for the fourth quarter, beating Wall Street's forecast.
Amgen just can't get a break these days.
Merck failed to excite investors with its financial guidance for 2007 and 2008, causing a temporary stock drop, but analysts were reluctant to condemn the drugmaker.
What we said In "Merck Is on the Mend" (Feb. 5), we recommended a second look at the pharma giant, which was recovering from the low it reached in 2004 amid the Vioxx debacle. We mentioned that Merck was winning approvals for a host of new drugs, including cervical-cancer vaccine Gardasil. We cited Bear Stearns analyst John Boris's year-end price target of $53.
CNNMoney: Merck tops forecastsupdated: Mon Oct 22 2007 09:55:00
Merck posted a 62 percent increase in its third-quarter profit Monday, as the drugmaker's revenues increased by double digits, while lower administration and overhead costs offset more spending on research and development.
Merck has enjoyed a strong comeback since the messy Vioxx blowout nearly three years ago. But you might be surprised by how well Merck has done since it pulled its arthritis drug from the market.
The successful launch of a blockbuster drug depends heavily on Big Pharma's ability to custom-tailor its sales pitch country-by-country, a difficult task in which few drugmakers excel, according to a study from research firm IMS Health.
Amgen, king of the biotechs, sits on a shaky throne.
The House passed a Medicare bill Friday that could drive down drug prices and revenues for the nation's big drug companies, but that's assuming the bill gets past President Bush's threatened veto.
The multi-billion dollar drug industry for degenerative bone disease is getting more congested, with new studies showing the benefits of the Novartis drug Aclasta, and an experimental drug from Amgen on the way.
Merck, already in a long fight against thousands of Vioxx lawsuits, will soon face a two-front war, as plaintiffs begin to file suit over a different drug: Fosamax.
Smaller tumors, better outcomes
With at least seven competing drugs shouldering in, the multi-billion dollar market for treating elderly bones is getting crowded. There will probably be enough aging baby boomers to go around ... but expect some jostling.
A U.S. appeals court rejected Merck & Co.'s request to reconsider the patent expiration on its profitable drug Fosamax, but the company vowed it would appeal again.
Merck & Co. Thursday reported a 15 percent drop in profits for the first quarter as sales again got hurt by its withdrawal of Vioxx.
Merck & Co.'s latest double dose of bad news is likely to put a big dent in its earnings and could mean the drugmaker may not survive as an independent company, industry analysts said.
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