Review of drugs indicated in migraine prophylaxis: beta-adrenergic blockers, calcium channel blockers and tricyclic antidepressants. Clinical guidelines on migraine management.
Category Archives: Neurology
Atomoxetine (Strattera) for ADHD: risk of psychotic or manic symptoms
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published Drug Safety Update for March 2009. One of the drugs reviewed is atomoxetin (Strattera), a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used for the treatment of ADHD. These are the recommendations: Advice for healthcare professionals: • At normal doses, atomoxetine can be associated with treatment-emergent psychotic or manic…
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,…
Barbiturates review: a video lecture
Video lecture. Great study aid to review barbiturates for your pharmacology test. Thiopental, Phenobarbital, Methohexital and Pentobarbital.
Anticonvulsants MCQS for USMLE
Pharmacology questions on anticonvulsants. USMLE style MCQs for pre- test review. Developed by UMKC School of Medicine.
EMEA reviewed methylphenidate (Ritalin) for ADHD and issued recommendations for its safer use
EMEA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has reviewed methylphenidate for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Quoting the press release issued 22 January 2009: The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has concluded that methylphenidate-containing medicines remain suitable for the treatment of children aged six years or older and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It has…
Atomoxetine (Strattera) and the risk of serious hepatic damage. FDA recommendations
From the FDA Drug Safety Newsletter Vol. 2 Number 1, 2009: Atomoxetine (Marketed as Strattera): Serious Liver Injury Abstract: In 2004, the atomoxetine label was updated to include information about cases of serious liver injury. From January 2005 to March 2008, six postmarket cases of serious liver injury with atomoxetine use were reported to FDA….
Important update on safety information of botulinum toxin type A (Botox)
This is an excerpt of the safety information page about Botox (botulinum toxin type A) posted on the Health Canada website. It warns health professionals about the potential risk of serious adverse effects of muscle weakness remote to the site of injection.
Natalizumab (Tysabri) for multiple sclerosis: AAN guideline and recommendations
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) published via the National Guideline Clearinghouse a set of recommendations for the use of the monoclonal antibody Natalizumab (Tysabri) for multiple sclerosis: MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS Definitions of the strength of the recommendations (A, B, C, U) and classification of the evidence (Class I through Class IV) are provided at the…
Phenytoin side effects: gingival hypertrophy image
The image below has been published in the latest issue of the NEJM. It shows one of the most well known adverse effects of the antiepileptic drug phenytoin, gingival hypertrophy. Source: Image of the week: Gingival Hypertrophy. NEJM.
Serotonin syndrome
Serotonin syndrome is a predictable clinical feature that involves excess serotonergic agonism of central nervous system (CNS) receptors and peripheral serotonergic receptors. The following PowerPoint was published on Stanford School of Medicine’s Scalpel: Serotoninn syndrome features Download: Serotonin syndrome PPT file MedExcel posted recently a mnemonic to remember the clinical components of serotonin syndrome Causes HARM:…
Mnemonic to remember which benzodiazepines don’t have hepatic metabolism
Benzodiazepines: ones not metabolized by the liver (safe to use in liver failure) LOT: Lorazepam Oxazepam Temazepam Thanks to MedExcel Remember to check the animation on the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines.
Phenytoin adverse effects mnemonic
Phenytoin: adverse effects PHENYTOIN: P-450 interactions Hirsutism Enlarged gums (Gingival hyperplasia, the most common) Nystagmus Yellow-browning of skin Teratogenicity Osteomalacia Interference with B12 metabolism (hence anemia) Neuropathies: vertigo, ataxia, headache Thanks to MedExcel
Mnemonic for drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Parkinsonism: drugs SALAD: Selegiline Anticholinenergics (trihexyphenidyl, benzhexol, ophenadrine) L-Dopa + peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor (carbidopa, benserazide) Amantadine Dopamine postsynaptic receptor agonists (bromocriptine, lisuride, pergolide, pramipexole)
