Bayer, J&J anti-clot drug shines in stroke trial

[Elmore Furth]

Stroke associated with atrial fibrillation is a very dangerous possibility and warfarin, a blood thinner, has dangerous bleeding side effects. Here is a once-a-day pill that may decrease the risk of both.

By Ransdell Pierson

CHICAGO | Mon Nov 15, 2010 12:28pm EST

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A once-daily pill being developed by Bayer AG (BAYGn.DE) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) was better at preventing stroke than standard treatment, with less risk of the most worrisome types of bleeding, researchers said on Monday.

Compared with the widely used but problematic drug warfarin, Xarelto was 21 percent better able to reduce strokes caused by a form of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, which is common among the elderly, according to study results presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Chicago.

On Monday, researchers said patients taking Xarelto were one-third less likely to have intracranial bleeding, which includes strokes and other bleeding within the brain area. A 41 percent reduced risk was seen for hemorrhagic stroke.

Bleeding into a critical organ was reduced by 31 percent, while the risk of fatal bleeding was cut in half. But Xarelto patients had bigger drops in hemoglobin and required more blood transfusions, the other two components of major bleeding.


Bayer, J&J anti-clot drug shines in stroke trial

[toddwv]

1. That is good news.

Warfarin, though currently vital, is a difficult drug to take requiring constant monitoring and a drastic change in diet requiring such things as the avoiding dark green leafy vegetables. It would be really nice if Xarelto changed that.

[HuckleB]

2. This is hopeful stuff. Thanks for sharing. -eom-