EMA: Use modafinil only for narcolepsy
The European Medicines Agency recommended restricting the use of modafinil for narcolepsy only. “The European Medicines Agency has recommended restricting the use of modafinil-containing medicines. The medicine should only be used to treat sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Doctors and patients should no longer use the medicine for the treatment of idiopathic hypersomnia, excessive sleepiness associated with […]
Thrombolytic agents: mechanism of action, indications, contraindications and side effects
Thrombolytic agents are used to lyse already formed blood clots in clinical settings where ischemia may be fatal ( acute mycardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, ischemic stroke, and arterial thrombosis). Very precise indications rule the use of these drugs, which are not free from serious side effects ( bleeding). Outline: Mechanism of action of thrombolytic therapy […]
Serotonin (5-HT): receptors, agonists and antagonists
Serotonin receptors characteristics, classification and drugs that influence serotonergic transmission. Pharmacology review.
Video lecture on the management of neuropathic and cancer pain
Mark Wallace, M.D., Director of UCSD’s Center for Pain & Palliative Medicine, updates on current therapies for pain, focusing on neuropathic pain. Overview of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of chronic pain.
Video lecture: Biologic therapies for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
Dr. Chan explains how biologic therapy (mainly through monoclonal antibodies) is changing the present and future of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. He illustrates some examples of autoimmune diseases such as: multiple sclerosis, asthma, treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with etanercept, and others.
Pregabalin (Lyrica) not approved for fibromyalgia by the EMEA
EMEA didn’t approve treatment of fibromyalgia as a new indication for pregabalin (Lyrica).The CHMP was concerned that the benefits of Lyrica in fibromyalgia had not been shown in either the short or the long term.
Video on Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) mechanism of action
Video animation showing the mechanism of action of Botox (Botulinum toxin type A) on neuromuscular neurotransmission.
Methamphetamine mechanism of addiction in the brain reward system
A video by National Geographic discusses the mechanisms of addiction of Methamphetamine (also known as Meth and Tik).
Pharmacologic treatment of Migraine. Part 1: pathophysiology and clinical features
This is the introduction to a series of three posts on the pharmacological treatment of migraine. Part 2 will explore agents used in the prevention of attacks, while in part 3 drugs like triptans and ergot derivatives will be discussed. Introduction: classification of headaches Headache is one of the most common medical complaints in clinical […]
ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers should be avoided in pregnancy and during breastfeeding
UK’s MHRA: do not to use ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists while breastfeeding. Hypertension Journal reviews ACEI toxicity in pregnancy.
FDA video warning on metoclopramide and tardive dyskinesia
Video: patient safety warning on chronic use of metoclopramide and the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia.
Updated recommendations on aspirin for cardiovascular disease prevention
Latest 2009 recommendations for the use of aspirin in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. These recommendations were issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Podcast: dexamethasone for headache
Essential Evidence Plus, formerly InfoPOEMs is a service by John Wiley and Sons that aims to give physicians succinct medical evidence that will impact in their medical practice. In this podcast Dr. Ebell and Dr. Wilkes (National Public Radio) discuss the POEM titled: “Dexamethasone may prevent headache recurrence after treatment of acute migraine” You can […]
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome: the manufacturer recommends genetic testing
The manufacturer of carbamazepine (Tegretol) updated the drug’s summary of product characteristics: ‘Before deciding to initiate treatment, patients of Han Chinese and Thai origin should whenever possible be screened for HLA-B*1502 as this allele strongly predicts the risk of severe carbamazepine-associated Stevens-Johnson syndrome’ Health Canada warned in March 2008 about carbamazepine’s side effects in […]