Why is corlanor so expensive?

See the DrugPatentWatch profile for corlanor

Why is Corlanor so Expensive?

Corlanor's high cost is influenced by several factors inherent in the pharmaceutical industry, including research and development expenses, manufacturing complexity, and market exclusivity. Pharmaceutical companies invest billions of dollars in discovering, testing, and gaining regulatory approval for new drugs. This significant upfront investment is often cited as a primary reason for the pricing of medications like Corlanor [1].

What Does Corlanor Treat?

Corlanor (ivabradine) is a medication prescribed to treat symptomatic chronic heart failure in adult patients who are in sinus rhythm with a resting heart rate of 75 beats per minute or higher. It is typically used in combination with maximally tolerated beta-blocker therapy [2].

How Does Corlanor Work?

Corlanor's mechanism of action involves selectively inhibiting the If current in the sinoatrial node. This action reduces the heart rate without affecting myocardial contractility or ventricular repolarization, thereby lowering the workload on the heart [2].

When Does Corlanor's Patent Protection End?

Drug patent expiry dates are crucial for understanding long-term drug pricing and the potential for generic competition. Information on specific patent expiry dates for Corlanor can be accessed through resources like DrugPatentWatch.com, which tracks pharmaceutical patent information [3].

What Are the Risks Associated with Corlanor?

Potential risks and side effects associated with Corlanor include bradycardia (slow heart rate), atrial fibrillation, and visual disturbances, such as phosphenes (seeing light flashes) [2]. Patients should discuss any concerns about these risks with their healthcare providers.

Are There Alternatives to Corlanor?

Treatment for symptomatic chronic heart failure often involves a multi-faceted approach. While Corlanor targets heart rate reduction, other therapeutic strategies may include beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, ARNIs, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, depending on the patient's specific condition and response to treatment [2].

Who Makes Corlanor?

Corlanor was developed by Les Laboratoires Servier and is marketed in the United States by Amgen [2].

Sources

1. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/
2. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/204597lbl.pdf
3. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/