What's New in Stroke?
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Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.).
The following summarizes some phase 3 trials that are studying potential stroke treatment drug breakthroughs in 2022.
ARCADIA
The ARCADIA trial is primarily testing if Eliquis (apixaban) will be the new stroke drug treatment of 2022—by being better than aspirin at preventing future strokes in people with previous strokes of unknown cause. The cause, however, might be upper heart chamber problems.
Columbia University is leading this study with collaborators, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, and Roche.
FASTEST
The FASTEST trial is assessing recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa), which is known by other names—like NovoSeven. The test is to see if it can become the first established and emerging stroke drug treatment in 2022—specifically for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). ICH is a stroke from a brain bleed.
Dr. Joseph Broderick is leading this study and working with Novo Nordisk and others.
CAPTIVA
The CAPTIVA trial is testing if experimental treatment is better than Plavix (clopidogrel) for lowering stroke and vascular death risk in people with narrowed oxygen-rich blood vessels in the brain. Vascular death is death from blood vessel-related conditions—like blood clots or stroke.
The experimental stroke treatment drug breakthrough of 2022 might be Xarelto (rivaroxaban) or Brilinta (ticagrelor).
The University of Flordia is leading this study with collaborators—like AstraZeneca and Janssen.
Bottom Line
Medications being tested already have other uses—like:
NovoSeven for bleeding events in people with bleeding conditions that run in families
Brilinta to prevent clots after a stent for a heart attack
While they aren’t brand new drugs, they have the potential to be emerging stroke treatments in 2022. Based on future trial results, they might become new stroke drug treatments in 2022.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ross earned her doctorate in pharmacy (PharmD) at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). Her years of experience practicing in various pharmacy settings also lead to multiple board certifications, including ambulatory care, geriatrics, and pharmacotherapy. She currently serves as the director of the PharmacyChecker international verification program.
Ross also founded Off Script Consults, a pharmacy consulting business. She strives to combine her passion for pharmacy, education, and writing to improve the quality of life and financial outcomes for people with chronic medical conditions, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
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Ross currently resides with her husband and two dogs in her home state of Texas to be closer to family. She also tries to find time for hobbies, which include rock climbing, running, and playing pickle ball.
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