Edrophonium and Atropine and Red yeast rice

• Generic Name: atropine / edrophonium
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names:

Reduction in the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Do not use in patients with Clcr >95 mL/minute. (See Boxed Warning.)

Noninferior to well-controlled (mean time in therapeutic INR range: 65%) warfarin therapy in preventing stroke and systemic embolism, and associated with lower rates of bleeding and cardiovascular death.

The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American Stroke Association (ASA), ACC, AHA, and other experts recommend antithrombotic therapy in all patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation considered to be at increased risk of stroke, unless contraindicated.

Choice of antithrombotic therapy based on patient's risk for stroke and bleeding; in general, oral anticoagulant therapy recommended in patients who have a moderate to high risk for stroke and acceptably low risk of bleeding; consider aspirin or no antithrombotic therapy in patients at low risk. Patients at increased risk of stroke generally include those with prior ischemic stroke or TIA, advanced age (e.g., ≥75 years), history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or CHF. In addition, female sex considered an important risk factor for stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, particularly in patients ≥75 years of age.

Although warfarin traditionally has been used for oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation at increased risk of stroke, non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants such as edoxaban may be useful alternatives in selected patients at moderate to high risk of stroke who are unable to comply with warfarin monitoring requirements or in whom a consistent therapeutic response to warfarin cannot be achieved; warfarin may still be preferred in patients who are optimally managed and have well-controlled INRs.

Relative efficacy and safety of the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (e.g., apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban) remain to be fully elucidated.

When selecting an appropriate anticoagulant, consider factors such as the absolute and relative risks of stroke and bleeding; costs; patient compliance, preference, tolerance, and comorbidities; and other clinical factors such as renal function and degree of INR control (if the patient has been taking warfarin).

Safety and efficacy of edoxaban not established in patients with mechanical heart valves or moderate to severe mitral stenosis; use not recommended in such patients.

Treatment of DVT and/or PE, following initial treatment with a parenteral anticoagulant for 5–10 days.

Noninferior to warfarin in reducing the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism; associated with substantially reduced rates of clinically important bleeding.

• Generic Name: red yeast rice
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names:

  Cholestin

Red yeast rice is a product that is made by fermenting red rice with a certain type of yeast. Red yeast rice is also known as Cholestin, Hypocol, Xuezhikang, or Zhitai.

Red yeast rice supplements are not the same as red yeast rice that is sold in Chinese grocery stores.

Red yeast rice has been used in alternative medicine as a likely effective aid in reducing levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood.

Red yeast rice has been used as a possibly effective aid in reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, or death in people with a history of heart attack.

Red yeast rice has also been used as a possibly effective aid in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Red yeast rice has been used to treat high blood pressure. However, research has shown that red yeast rice may not be effective in treating this condition.

Other uses not proven with research have included: lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, improving blood circulation, lowering liver enzymes associated with liver damage, and treating diarrhea, indigestion, or other stomach problems.

It is not certain whether red yeast rice is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Red yeast rice should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Red yeast rice is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Red yeast rice may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.