Serotonin (5-HT): receptors, agonists and antagonists
Serotonin receptors characteristics, classification and drugs that influence serotonergic transmission. Pharmacology review.
Serotonin 5-HT3-receptor antagonists: pharmacokinetics, MOA, indications and adverse effects
This posts overviews the general characteristics, pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, dosing, indications and adverse effects profile of serotonin 5-HT3-receptor antagonists. These drugs are being increasingly used for the prevention of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting as well as antiemetic prophylaxis of post-operative and post-radiation nausea and vomiting.
Clinical guidelines on the management of hepatitis B infection
New clinical practice guidelines on the management of hepatitis B were published this year in Annals of Internal Medicine. These guidelines are the result of the latest National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement on hepatitis B.
PPIs reduce the effectiveness of clopidogrel (Plavix)
Pharmamotion has now a new page containing updates on clopidogrel – PPI interactions. The latest edition of the monthly newsletter from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued a drug safety advice on the interaction between the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel (Plavix) and PPIs. They conclude that available data supports a clinically significant interaction […]
Metoclopramide and tardive dyskinesia: FDA adds boxed warning
The FDA issued a press release (dated February 26, 2009) in which they announce that the agency will require Metoclopramide (Maxolon, Reglan, Degan, Maxeran, Primperan, and Pylomid) manufacturers to include a boxed warning about the risk of long term or high dose use: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that manufacturers of metoclopramide, […]
Methylnaltrexone (Relistor): clinical updates from two independent sources
Methylnaltrexone (Relistor) is a peripherally-acting μ-opioid antagonist used for the treatment of opioid induced constipation. Two independent organizations have recently published updated clinical information on this drug: Australian Prescriber. New drugs: Methylnaltrexone Health Canada. Summary Basis of Decision (SBD) RELISTOR The Scottish Medicines Consortium also reviewed Relistor in January 2009.
Gastrointestinal drugs for nurses
Below is a very good review presentation from NurseReview.org about drugs that affect the gastrointestinal system: 1. Drugs affecting GI secretions 2. Laxatives 3. Anti-diarrheals 4. Emetics and anti-emetics More on nursing pharmacology Technorati : Anti-diarrheals, Anti-emetics, Laxatives, NCLEX, Nurses & nursing students, PPI, pharmacology for nurses
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) mechanism of action. A video animation
Mechanism of action of PPI’s. Source: Wikipedia Proton pump inhibitors act by irreversibly blocking the hydrogen/potassium adenosine triphosphatase enzyme system (the H+/K+ ATPase, or more commonly just gastric proton pump) of the gastric parietal cell. The proton pump is the terminal stage in gastric acid secretion, being directly responsible for secreting H+ ions into the […]