Cholesterol-lowering that Helps Erectile Dysfunction

Good news for older men who are taking cholesterol-lowering medicine. Statin helps lower bad cholesterol level in patient’s blood. It is given to patients to help prevent stroke and heart attack. A new study by researchers of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School shows that statin medication not just lower cholesterol but also improves a man's erectile function. Their findings are posted on the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session and in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

The head of the research John B. Kostis, MD, professor of medicine, director of the Cardiovascular Institute at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, said: "Older men who have poor cardiovascular health, diabetes or metabolic syndrome often experience erectile dysfunction and the prevalence of these diseases is expected to increase."

"Our research indicates that statins not only improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack, but also improve erectile function in the men included in our analysis."

Taking statin after a cardiovascular disease is detected on patient may offer early benefits in addition to improved sexual function. However, he also warns not to take statin for erectile dysfunction alone. More study is needed to determine the link between statin therapy and the improvement of erectile function.

FDA Raises Safety Concern on Drugs Made in India

FDA wants to keep the quality imported drugs from country like India in check, they will establish an Office of Pharmaceutical Quality that will enhance their inspection of brand-name, generic and over-the-counter drugs.

This was announced by FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research director Janet Woodcock at the Bloomberg Health care summit on Friday.

India is one of the major players in drugs, their drugs export to the US market is one of the largest. Many local pharmaceutical plants in India have been inspected by the FDA to make sure that they are following the guidelines and quality of the drugs they export.

FDA has been calling the attention of manufacturing plants in India regarding good manufacturing practices not being followed that includes Ranbaxy Laboratories and Wockhardt.

Japanese pharmaceutical Daiichi Sankyo took over Ranbaxy Laboratories but the quality and condition has not improved FDA has ban three facilities over the few years, and added another one this year.

One facility of Wockhardt Limited was banned by the FDA from selling their products in the US.

However, drug regulators in India do not see any reason to ban these companies they say that they are following good manufacturing practices. The do not agree with the FDAs reason.

Salt in Medicines May Cause Heart Attacks and Stroke

Soluble painkillers, paracetamol and vitamin C are used by billions of people and this may pose a health risk because of high salt content, researchers warned.

Some formulations taken at maximum dose may put users over the recommended daily sodium intake for an adult and this may cause a potentially dangerous consequences.

The researchers found a link between effervescent tablets and heart attacks and stroke.

Patients who regularly took effervescent or soluble medications increased their risk of having a heart attack, stroke or dying from a vascular disease compared to those patients that took drugs without salt. Patients who took medicines with salts were also seven times more likely to develop high blood pressure and hypertension, which the researchers say is at the root of the problem.

Dr Jacob George who is the lead researcher from Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, England said. "We know that high salt causes hypertension and that hypertension leads to stroke."

The British Heart Foundation gave a statement that it is important to remember that the research applied to people who were taking these medicines every day. It does not mean that occasional use could damage your heart health.

Most effervescent medicines contain salt. This is because in order to fizz and dissolve, they contain a substance called bicarbonate, which is often combined with sodium.

Dr Madina Kara a neuroscientist at the Stroke Association, said: “It’s crucial to be aware of our sodium intake, as it is a component of salt. Excess salt in our diet can lead to high blood pressure, which is the single biggest risk factor for stroke.

“A diet low in saturated salt and fat, regular exercise and blood pressure checks can go a long way to keeping your stroke risk down.”