ITEMS OF INTEREST








Healthy Living
"The Food and Drug Administration announced in February that two new side effects-an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and potential memory problems-would be added to labels os stains, the cholesterol-lowering drugs. They include atorvastatin  (Lipitor and generic), lovastatin (Mevacor and generic) and simvastatin (Zocor and generic).

The type 2 diabetes risk is based on a review of several clinical studies that found an increased risk of elevated blood sugar levels and diabetes among people taking statins compared with those taking a placebo. In on of those studies, the large-scale Jupiter trial (Justification for the Use of Statins in Primary Prevention: An Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin), investigators reporter a rate of type 2 diabetes in men and women taking rosuvastatin  (Crestor) that was roughly one-quarter higher than those in the placebo group.

The other warning is based on rare reports the FDA received about people developing memory loss or impairment while taking a statin. the problems generally occurred in people older than 50 and disappeared when they stopped taking the drug. The FDA also said it was removing from statin labels a recommendation that patients who take them have their liver function tested periodically. It cited a lack of evidence that routine monitoring helped detect or prevent serious liver injuries. (People should still have their liver enzymes checked before starting a statin.)

Bottom line. the new warnings underscore our advice to try lowering high cholesterol with lifestyle changes first, such as a healthy diet and exercise, before taking medication. Even when a drug is needed, those lifestyle changes might help you reduce your dose or minimize and side effects." 

Source: "New Warnings On Statin Drugs vol. 24  no. 6  ConsumerReports on Health     (June 2012): 3.

Clergy

The Rev. Charles Davidson

Vestry Members

Carol Anderson, Cyrus Aimey (Junior Warden), Veronica Airey-Wilson, Joyce Asiedu, Walter Benjamin (Senior Warden), Nora Brown,  Marie Brown-Harvey (Secretary), Patricia David, Evelyn Green, David Hickmon, Bates Lyons, Joe Noel, Peter Marsele, Terrie Thomas.

Music

Rochelle Holder - Youth Choir

Nathaniel Baker - Music Director/Organist

Rector Emeritus

Canon Cyril Burke

Email

monicahartford@gmail.com