Tough to Hide from this Data
Last month I wrote about my frustration associated with a study we recently completed that is proving more difficult to publish than I expected. The drug, nesiritide, makes people feel better when they are so short of breath from a weak heart (heart failure) that they need to be hospitalized, but our study suggests that using this medicine may increase the risk of death 1-6 months later.
We completed another study last week which will prove less controversial while reinforcing the concern about the safety of this medicine. This study is one that I am not at liberty to discuss until November, but when the data are presented, the medical community will see that this drug should probably be considered dangerous until proven safe in a new and larger study.
When you get a new prescription, ask your doctor whether the medicine has been tested to know with certainty that it is not associated with the risk of death, despite its obvious short-term benefit. Your must communicate that you are realistic and understand that not everyone responds to every drug the optimal way, but at the same time, make sure you are treated with medicines proven safe and effective. The only time to take chances is when your risks from your underlying medical condition is so great that you must gamble.
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