Polypill 'could become a reality'

[comtec]

Source: BBC News

A cheap five-in-one pill can guard against heart attacks and stroke, research suggests.

The concept of a polypill for everyone over 55 to cut heart disease by up to 80% was mooted over five years ago, but slow progress has been made since.

Now a trial in India shows such a pill has the desired effects and is safe and well-tolerated by those who take it.

Although The Lancet study is proof of concept, experts still question the ethics of a pill for lifestyle issues.


There is a danger that lifestyle factors could be overlooked in favour of 'popping a pill'
Mike Rich of UK charity the Blood Pressure Association

Critics say the problems of high blood pressure and cholesterol should be tackled with diet and exercise rather than by popping a pill.

The polypill used in the latest study combines five active pharmacological ingredients widely available separately - aspirin, a statin to lower cholesterol and three blood pressure-lowering drugs - as well as folic acid.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7971456.stm

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The only thing that worries me is that the tests are being done in India...

Not exactly known for rock-solid reliability.

I hope it works tho.

[AndyTiedye]

1. I See A Lot of Reports of Statins Causing Muscle Aches

Who's gonna exercise if their muscles are aching before they even start??

[cabluedem]

5. Google "Spacedoc" to see what statins can do besides lower cholesterol. Its not pretty becuase we

or our bodies use it in so many ways. There is even evidence that it fights infections and cancer so I won't be taking Liptor or Mevacor besides all the Co-enzyme Q10 lowering effects which lead to muscle degradation.

[Vinca]

7. I've read that while statins appear to have cut the number of deaths

from heart attacks, over the same period of time the deaths from heart failure have risen. Given the heart is our most important muscle, I wouldn't take a statin drug if you paid me. There was a report issued within the past couple of days that claimed statins cut the risk of blood clots and stroke. I have 2 thoughts on that. #1, the drug company ran the test and drug companies have been known to end trials before they get negative results and, #2, aspirin does the same thing, the only difference being about $3+ a pill. Beware of all drugs the pharmaceutical companies target to everyone, everyday, for the rest of their lives.

[WriteDown]

13. Lipitor and Tricor literally saved my life...

Some do experience muscle fatigue, but the benefits far outweigh the side effects. Be careful of the pseudoscience.

[karynnj]

18. Would you advise everyone over 55 - even with ok blood pressure and cholesteral take this?

In your case, clearly there was a reason to take the drugs you do. Second question, would you switch to this pill rather than take the bills you currently do?

[WriteDown]

20. I really don't know...

The pills help people who are at risk. I don't have enough scientific evidence to know if they serve as an effective preventative.

[PSPS]

15. Muscle aches are an indication you can't tolerate statins. So you discontinue using them.

The aches are an indication of liver problems which occur in a small number of people who take statins. However, if such a person discontinues the statins, the liver function returns to normal. Most people can safely take statins, though, and they are very beneficial for people who have a genetic predisposition to high serum cholesterol.

[WriteDown]

17. You got it...

I had a little trouble with Pravachol(sp?) but Lipitor seems to do the trick. I stay in very good shape, but my cholesterol levels were through the roof.

[AndyTiedye]

26. It Was the "For Everyone Over 55" That I Was Questioning

If everyone over 55 starts taking it and it causes muscle aches in 30% of the population
it would likely cause most of the of physically active people in that 30% to stop exercising.
That would be perverse, to put it mildly.

[tomm2thumbs]

2. I'm still waiting for Teaching Toffees

obscure yes, but you'll know if you know

[comtec]

3. Hee Hee, or self correcting quills (nt)

[cabluedem]

4. You can leave aspirin out. Many people like me cant tolerate it at all. nt

[SkyDaddy7]

6. I have no idea but...

My guess is the so-called "critics" are those who stand to lose billions on their "pill" if this pill is sucessful. Seriously, we are a pill poppin world so what makes the "critics" so concerned with diet now?

[DesertDiamond]

10. Those of us who study holistic health object to any pill that tries to replace healthy living

to include exercise and a truly healthy diet. And considering that real health is quite available, with some effort, and in this way most or all diseases can be successfully treated, and likely prevented altogether, I don't personally consumer or advocate medications of any sort. There are many who have the same view, and they do not stand to profit in any way from those views. They simply can't help but care.

[Sgent]

11. Umm....

"Holistic Health" and "healthy living" shouldn't have input until they have evidence.

There is no question that exercise and diet works, there is also no question that statins, aspirin, and blood pressure medications save lives.

The fact that a patient fails at one therapy (diet and exercise) doesn't mean they should be refused another. Every doctor I know would and does recommend exercise/diet when they see elevated blood sugar, cholesterol, or BP.

That being said, denying treatment with proven life saving drugs seems to be a bit drastic.

[kimmerspixelated]

28. There's plenty of evidence,

but BIG Pharma puts the kabosh on most of it!

[kimmerspixelated]

27. Well said!

Absolutely right! There is so much misinformation out there about cholesterol. We need cholesterol! It helps repair arteries that are torn and frayed from HFcorn syrup, trans fats, etc., etc.!!Immflamation is the general cause of any disease, and eating well and supplementing and exercise can do the job. Why poison ourselves with chemicals, and cause worse problems?? Plus, if one is actually concerned about cholesterol, I have read by prominent regular doctors that Red Yeast Rice, and plant sterols reduce the cholesterol ratio. There are a lot of naysayers about the natural health field, but they need to be open-minded. It's always been around, and is stronger everyday and is here to stay! Welcome to DU!!

[L0oniX]

8. WTF ...more sociopaths?

"There is a danger that lifestyle factors could be overlooked in favour of 'popping a pill'" WTF don't give em the polypill because they will quit exercising ...and we will lose money on our golf course investments? WTF

:wtf:

[rucognizant]

9. WthF.

Is this obsession with health & living longer...........our living circumstance have never been so narrow or so lacking, in my life time......................yet evetyone wants to prolong it instead of boycotting the Pharmaceutical companies that are "selling the fear of early death" Don't fall for their crap!
Middle aged people, NOW have more medical problems than I EVER saw in the elder population 35 years ago. ( they had about 80% less stress that's why~)
Unless you have a REAL Illness, toss the meds!

[WriteDown]

19. You must've forgot your sarcasm icon. nt.

[kimmerspixelated]

29. Exactly!!

Couldn't agree more!

[goclark]

12. My body has never met a statin that it could tolerate

it is so frightening.

Muscle pains that will not stop -- I always have to prove to the doctors that it is really the drug because they would sincerely find it difficult to believe.

Perhaps that's because the Reps with the leather cases on wheels that bring lunch to all members of the dr's staff and stay in with the dr. for "minutes" while the patients wait, have told them it could not be the medicines they are carting.

I have managed my cholesterol without the statins but it is always an uphill battle.

Not it is Actonel. I really need it for my bones. I was hurting all over my body after two weeks on that one.

Now the doctor has recommended some over the counter calcium etc.

Wish me luck and I salute the doctor for finally believing me.

I would love for this new pill to work -- even if it helped some of us it would be fantastic!

[WriteDown]

14. Pure bunk....

Statins have saved many lives including my own. Many people have high cholesterol which has zero to do with diet or exercise including myself. Be careful when you spread your misinformation.

[goclark]

22. I was speaking about ME, not others

That is not bunk- statins have severe side effects in MY body.

[WriteDown]

24. Got you....

I encourage you to try several different kinds though. I had to try a few before I found the one that worked best with my body.

[goclark]

25. I tried 3 and they all had the same reaction

Thanks

[karynnj]

16. Both the high blood pressure bills and statins have side effects

What I question is what the 80% decrease means. It might assume that there are just 2 alternatives - taking this pill or nothing. If the person's blood pressure is fine, why should they take 3 (!) components to lower blood pressure. (I know at least 2 people who found they felt horrible on several blood pressure medicines. If it is needed and the problem doesn't respond to diet or exercise, it may still be worth it, but for people who don't even have high blood pressure? The same can be said for someone with ok cholesterol.

[goclark]

23. good point

[kimmerspixelated]

30. Bananas and celery!

Eat them everyday for healthy BP!

[Juche]

21. I don't know

This was big news several years ago, then it disappeared. The idea of attacking CVD risk factors from several angles sounds interesting, but the statin part worries me. Statins can cause muscle and liver problems in some people. If they made a polypill w/o statins I would take it when I am old.

[Seedersandleechers]

31. That's ridiculous

I'm 56 and my blood pressure without medication runs around 110/60. Three types of blood pressure pills would be deadly me for.