Monday, July 1, 2013

Don't Cheer

Some good news-  The FDA did not approve that Orexin blocking drug.  For Now.
But you can be sure Merck will keep trying.  More tests in the works.

FDA does not approve Suvorexant
FDA staff and a panel of outside experts reviewed detailed data on patient testing by Merck at those doses. While both groups of experts determined suvorexant pills were effective at each dose, there were significant safety concerns with the 30- and 40-milligram doses.
Those included daytime drowsiness, trouble staying alert while driving and suicidal thinking. Those problems, hallucinations and traffic accidents all have been linked to other prescription sleep medicines, although Merck had been telling investors that suvorexant would cause less next-morning grogginess.
EDS, sleep-driving, and suicidal ideation.  Sounds like narcolepsy to me.
Go figure. Shocking.  Nobody could have predicted.

Maybe we should tell people it will impair their metabolism and make them fat too.