P-glycoprotein: animation showing its role in chemotherapy resistance

Some introductory information about MDR1, the protein that mediates resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, from Wikipedia: P-glycoprotein (plasma gycoprotein, abbreviated as P-gp or Pgp) is a well-characterized ABC-transporter of the MDR/TAP subfamily. P-gp is also called ABCB1, ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 1, MDR1, and PGY1. P-glycoprotein has also recently been designated CD243 (cluster of differentiation 243). […]

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 […]

Protein bound paclitaxel (Abraxane) mechanism of action. 3D video animations

What is Protein bound paclitaxel (Abraxane) ? Source: National Cancer Institute protein-bound paclitaxel (PROH-teen… PAK-lih-TAK-sil) A drug used to treat breast cancer that has spread or that has come back within 6 months after chemotherapy. It is also being studied in the treatment of newly diagnosed breast cancer and other types of cancer. Protein-bound paclitaxel […]

Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE): SMC review

The  Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 7th November, 2008 an advice on rivaroxaban (Xarelto): ADVICE: following a full submissionrivaroxaban (Xarelto®) is accepted for use  within NHS Scotland for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement surgery.In three large phase III studies in patients undergoing either total knee […]

Bivalirudin (Angiox) for acute coronary syndromes: SMC review

The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 7th December, 2008 an advice on bivalirudin (Angiox): Bivalirudin  (Angiox)  is accepted  for  restricted use within NHS Scotland  for  the  treatment of adult patients with acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina/non-ST segment elevation myocardial  infarction)  planned  for  urgent  or  early  intervention. It  is  restricted  to  use  in patients  who  would  […]

Nilotinib (Tasigna) for chonic myeloid leukemia: Health Canada evaluation

Information from Health Canada issued October 14, 2008 about the recently approval of nilotinib (Tasugna) On September 9, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance under the Notice of Compliance with Conditions (NOC/c) Policy to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. for the drug product Tasigna*. The product was authorized under the NOC/c Policy on the […]

Methylnaltrexone (Relistor) for opioid induced constipation: SMC review

The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 8th December, 2008 an advice on the recently approved opioid antagonist methylnaltrexone ADVICE: following a full submissionMethylnaltrexone  (Relistor)  is  accepted  for  restricted  use  within  NHS  Scotland  for treatment  of  opioid-induced  constipation  in  advanced  illness  patients  who  are  receiving palliative care when response to usual laxative therapy has not been […]

Recomendations for the use of erlotinib (Tarceva) in patients with liver disease

Letter dated December 12, 2008 published on the Health Canada website on erlotinib adverse effects: Dear Health Care Professional, Hoffmann-La Roche Limited, in consultation with Health Canada would like to inform prescribers of important new safety information regarding the use of TARCEVA® (erlotinib) in patients with moderate hepatic impairment and advanced solid tumors. TARCEVA is […]

Dabigatran (Pradaxa, Pradax) for the prevention of VTE. Mechanism of action, indications, contraindications, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

Information about dabigatran (Pradaxa in Europe, Pradax in Canada) for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events (VTE), from Health Canada. On June 10, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance to Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd. for the drug product, Pradax. Pradax contains the medicinal ingredient dabigatran etexilate used in its salt form, dabigatran etexilate […]

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