PowerPoint slides on pharmacodynamics: dose-effect relationship and related concepts
Dr. Edwin Jackson, from the ASPET Division of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, prepared the following PowerPoint lecture on pharmacodynamics, mainly about the dose-effect relationship. The approach is very interesting since its quite clear and simple, but still accurate and thorough. Dose-effect relationships What determines the dose-effect relationship? What is the relationship between [drug] and [drug receptor]? What […]
2009 updated guideline: “Use of chronic opioid therapy in chronic noncancer pain”. Download full text
2009 version of “Guidelines on the use of opioids in treating chronic noncancer pain”. Published in The Journal of Pain. Download free full text
Flash cards on musculoskeletal system drugs: NSAIDS, DMARDS, and anti-gout agents
Free download University of Utah flash cards : Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS, NAIDs),Drugs for the treatment of rheumathoid arthritis: DMARDs
Disease mongering, direct to consumer advertising and the case of the fake drug Havidol
Disease mongering: a fake drug (Havidol) raises awareness about direct to consumer advertising. Link to a collection of related articles.
Animation on the mechanism of action of GnRH agonists and antagonists in the treatment of prostate cancer
The video animations below depict the mechanism of action of GnRH agonists and antagonists in the treatment of prostate cancer. The three movies will start playing at the same time, you can right-click on each of them and deselect “play” in case you want to stop any of them. This excerpt from the Wikipedia article […]
Free download: pharmacology flash cards. Antibiotics, antivirals, antiretrovirals and antitubercular drugs
The Department of Pharmacology of the University of Utah has developed some study aids available at their website. Below is the summary of the file on antibiotics and related drugs, and the link to the original file. Antibacterial Drugs Sulfonamides: Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), Sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol), Sulfadiazine, Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), Sulfacetamide sodium (Sulamyd Sodium) Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra) Chloramphenicol […]
FDA approves ATryn (recombinant human antithrombin) for the treatment of hereditary antithrombin deficiency
The FDA issued a press release (February 6th, 2009) announcing the approval of the first biological product produced by genetically engineered animals: recombinant human antithrombin. Some excerpts from the press release: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued its first approval for a biological product produced by genetically engineered (GE) animals. The approval is […]
PowerPoint review: levocetirizine (Xyzal), a third generation antihistamine
This presentation reviews some aspects of the third generation antihistamine Levocetirizine (Xyzal), the active enantiomer of cetirizine (second generation). What do you think? Is Levocetirizine worth it or not? Personally, I don’t see many advantages over other histamine blockers considering pricing factors. Technorati : , Xyzal, levocetirizine, third generation antihistamine
Evidence based medicine and how to critically read papers. Resources to develop an essential skill
It is essential for us, health proessionals , to learn how to critically interpret scientific information. Many times we will read articles that are absolutely irrelevant, or papers that are markedly biased trying to sell us products (new drugs, medical devices). It is our duty to know how to discern the evidence that should guide […]
Antitubercular and antiviral (HSV, CMV, influenza) drugs: NCLEX video review
This video is targeted to nurses and nursing students, as a pharmacology review previous to the NCLEX exam. It reviews the following drug classes: Antimycobacterial (antitubercular) drugs: isoniazid, pyrazinamide, rifampin, ethambutol Drugs for the treatment of herpesvirus infections: acyclovir famciclovir Drugs for the treatment of influenza:amantadine, rimantadine, zanamivir, oseltamivir Drugs for the treatment of citomegalovirus […]
Xigris (Drotrecogin alfa activated): concerns of serious bleeding and increased death trigger FDA safety review
On February 4th, 2009 the FDA announced an ongoing safety review of Xigris (Drotrecogin alfa [activated]). An introduction from Wikipedia: Drotrecogin alfa (activated) (Xigris, marketed by Eli Lilly and Company) is a recombinant form of human activated protein C ( rhAPC) that has anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and profibrinolytic properties. Drotrecogin alpha (activated) belongs to the class […]
Animation on histamine release and antihistamines mechanism of action
In this 3-D animation, oriented to the general public, we can see the process of histamine release by mast cell starting from the exposure to the allergen: This image shows the same process: H1 blockers are a class of widely prescribed drugs, here an excerpt of its pharmacodynamics (Source: Katzung’s Basic and Clinical Pharmacology) A. […]
Pharmaceutical marketing in the web 2.0 era
Melissa Sweet, Health Journalist, published an article on Australian Prescriber about the applications of web 2.0 tools in drug marketing by pharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical companies are capitalising on the advent of the internet and the development of new media forms to promote their products. Electronic detailing, interactive websites, email prompts and viral marketing campaigns using […]
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.