Warfarin dosing: the role of genes

Warfarin dosing: the genes VKORC1, CYP2C9, CYP4F2 are determinants in the dosing of warfarin. Role in clinical practice of pharmacogenomics: genetic testing to guide warfarin therapy.

NPS recommendations for the use of valsartan (Diovan)

The National Prescribing Service Limited (Australia) issues a publication called NPS RADAR. In this issue valsartan (Diovan) is reviewed, this is the summary: Valsartan reduces blood pressure to a similar extent as other angiotensin II-receptor antagonists. If blood pressure is not controlled by valsartan 160 mg, add a second drug rather than increasing the dose […]

Experts comment the JUPITER trial in the latest NEJM issue

Experts around the globe comment the JUPITER trial in the correspondence section of the March 5, 2009 issue of the  NEJM. I collect here some of the most relevant and interesting correspondence to the editor. “JUPITER is notable for the unacknowledged exclusion of a population that may be at increased risk for dose-related adverse effects […]

PowerPoint presentation: drugs for the treatment of angina pectoris (nitrates, beta blockers)

The following set of pharmacology lectures has been created by Dr. Garret Gross and were published in the Division for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, a branch of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). Antianginal drugs lecture Outline: Myocardial Preconditioning, Nitrates tolerance (how to avoid it),contraindications. ß-adrenergic blockers contraindications. Reasons for Using Nitrates and Beta […]

PowerPoint presentation: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and calcium channel blockers

The following pharmacology PowerPoint has been developed by Ed Sheridan, Pharm.D. Outline: ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs), and calcium channel blockers •Review the Mechanism of Action •Review Safety •Review Efficacy •Hypertension Download ppt slides: pharmacology of ACEi, ARBs, and Calcium channel blockers. You may also find interesting related PowerPoint presentation on drug therapy […]

EMEA recommends new contraindication for aliskiren (Rasilez): angioedema

According to the EMEA, aliskiren (Rasilez, Tekturna in the USA) should not be prescribed in patients that experienced angioedema after taking the drug. Some excerpts from the EMEA press release dated 19 February, 2009: The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has recommended adding a contraindication to the Product Information for aliskiren, stating that it must not […]

USMLE-like questions on antihypertensives

These questions from the UMKC School of Medicine have a different degree of difficulty, but are useful to review pharmacology of hypertension. Antihypertensives Item Number: 11201   correct answer: 4  category: Antihypertensives 1.   Gynecomastia, hyperkalemia, and menstrual abnormalities are potential adverse effects associated with: A.  amiloride B.  captopril C.  triamterene D.  spironolactone 1. A,B,C 2. A,C […]

PowerPoint presentation on cardiovascular pharmacology: calcium channel blockers

This presentation on calcium channel blockers was created by Dr. Nancy Rusch, an expert in the field. It was published on the ASPET Cardiovascular Division website. Calcium channel blockers ppt outline: Introduction (Classification: Phenylalkylamines, Benzothiazepines, 1,4-Dihydropyridines) CCB binding sites Heterogeneity of action Cardiac & hemodynamic differentiation Pharmacokinetics Adverse effects Contraindications Summary Download PPT: Calcium Channel […]

Anticoagulants MCQs for test review

Here are a couple of questions related to the pharmacology of coagulation.  These questions from the UMKC School of Medicine have a different degree of difficulty, but are useful to review the topic.  To get a better understanding on the topic, you can read about  antiplatelet agents and thrombolytic drugs. Item Number: 10968 correct answer: […]

FDA recommendations on clopidogrel (Plavix) because of decreased response and PPI interactions

Pharmamotion has now a new page containing updates on  clopidogrel PPI interactions. The FDA issued today an early communication about an ongoing safety review of the antiplatelet agent clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix). The backgroung to this is the recent evidence of: A decreased response to clopidogrel in some patients. Since clopidogrel is a prodrug, genetic polymorphisms […]

Potential new indication of beta blockers: improve wound healing

A recent article in PLoS Medicine shows that epinephrine impairs wound healing and proposes beta blockers as a potential medication. Stress-Mediated Increases in Systemic and Local Epinephrine Impair Skin Wound Healing: Potential New Indication for Beta Blockers Raja K. Sivamani1, Christine E. Pullar1¤, Catherine G. Manabat-Hidalgo1, David M. Rocke2, Richard C. Carlsen3, David G. Greenhalgh4,5, […]

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