Sanofi Aventis’ Multaq ‘reduced risk of cardiovascular hospitalisation’

Sanofi Aventis’ Multaq (dronedarone) significantly reduced the risk of hospitalisation or death as a result of cardiovascular problems, according to a study.

Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Athena trial revealed the product – in addition to the standard therapy – lowered the risks by 24 per cent in patients who had atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

Compared to placebo, Multaq was found to reduce deaths by 16 per cent.

Dr Stefan Hohnloser, principal investigator in the study and scientist at Goethe University’s division of clinical electrophysiology in Frankfurt, Germany, said: “The Athena trial is the first trial to show a reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular hospitalisation or death in patients taking an anti-arrhythmic drug for atrial fibrillation.”

Side effects from the drug included diarrhoea, nausea, bradycardia, an increase in blood creatinine and skin disorders.

In December last year, Sanofi Aventis’ vaccines division Sanofi Pasteur announced its influenza vaccine Intanza / Idflu received positive opinion from the European Union’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use.