Is losartan right for me, right now?
Because only some of the children and young adults enrolled in the study will receive losartan, deciding whether to enroll is a difficult decision. And all Marfs who cannot or will not participate in the study are facing a difficult decision as well: If losartan is available and my doctor is willing to prescribe it for me, should I start taking it today, rather than waiting 3 to 6 years for the study results to come out? The decision seems to hinge on two main issues: safety and time. Researchers have not yet fully tested the safety of using losartan in Marfan patients over a period of time. Researchers cannot be sure that the drug will be safe and effective, and deliver long-term results. If you choose to participate in the study, or get losartan right away from your physician, you must be comfortable with this inherent safety risk. The idea of lost time is a second major consideration. If losartan is available now (through the trial or perhaps through your physician), and can potenti
