Propolis side effects and association with renal failure: Health Canada case report
From the Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter: Propolis: suspected association with renal failure Propolis is a natural resinous product collected by bees that is used in the construction of hives.[1] It is available in Canada as a single ingredient or in combination in many natural health products (NHPs). Propolis is used for the relief of various […]
Local anesthetic infusion with postoperative pain pumps and articular chondrolysis
New information from the Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter: Local anesthetic infusion with postoperative pain pumps and articular chondrolysis Postoperative pain pumps are infusion devices designed to continuously deliver controlled amounts of medication.[1,2] They can be used to infuse local anesthetic solutions directly into operative sites, for pain management following surgical procedures. The device consists of […]
Varenicline (Champix) psychiatric adverse effects: recommendations to patients from Health Canada
Health Canada has issued an information update about varenicline (Champix), giving some recommendations to patients: Information Update 2009-01 January 6, 2009 For immediate release OTTAWA – Health Canada is reminding Canadians who are taking, or considering taking, the smoking-cessation aid Champix of important safety information for this product. Health Canada is also informing Canadians that […]
Pharmacology mnemonic: drugs that induce enzymatic metabolism
Metabolism enzyme inducers “Randy’s Black Car Goes Putt Putt and Smokes “: Rifampin Barbiturates Carbamazepine Grisoefulvin Phenytoin Phenobarb Smoking cigarettes Thanks to MedExcel
Bioethics: video interview about clinical trials in India
Medical experiments are being conducted on society’s most vulnerable, says Indian doctor Amar Jesani in Wemos’ internetfilm on clinical drug trials in developing countries. Amar Jesani is a medical doctor from India with expertise in medical ethics and human rights. He is a founder member of the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics (IJME), the Centre […]
Risk of midazolam overdose: NHS alert
This is a rapid response report from the National Patient Safety Agency (A branch of NHS) about the risk of midazolam (Dormicum, Hypnovel, Midacum and Versed) overdose Reducing risk of overdose with midazolam injection in adults Issue Some adult patients are being overdosed with midazolam injection when used for conscious sedation. The presentation of high strength […]
Febuxostat (Adenuric, Ipsen) for the management of hyperuricemia in gout patients. NICE guidance
The following is an excerpt of the NICE guidance about: Febuxostat for the management of hyperuricaemia in people with gout. 1 Guidance 1.1 Febuxostat, within its marketing authorisation, is recommended as an option for the management of chronic hyperuricaemia in gout only for people who are intolerant of allopurinol (as defined in section 1.2) or […]
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: […]
Lithium side effects mnemonic
Lithium: side effects LITH: Leukocytosis Insipidus [diabetes insipidus, tied to polyuria] Tremor/ Teratogenesis Hypothyroidism Thanks to MedExcel
Review of nepafenac (Nevanac) ophtalmic suspension
Review form Health Canada of nepafenac (Nevanac) , a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for the management of pain and inflammation associated with cataract surgery On April 17, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance to Alcon Canada Inc. for the drug product, NevanacTM (nepafenac) Ophthalmic Suspension. NevanacTM contains the medicinal ingredient nepafenac which is […]
Morphine effects mnemonic
Morphine effects mnemonic MORPHINES : Miosis Orthostatic hypotension Respiratory depression Pain supression Histamine release/ Hormonal alterations Increased ICT Nausea Euphoria Sedation Thanks to MedExcel
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.
Equivalence definition in pharmacology: three kinds of equivalence
The following pharmacology definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. Equivalence: In 1969, a federal Task Force on Prescription Drugs recommended that the words “generic equivalents” no longer be used in describing and comparing drug preparations. The Task Force recommended that an appropriate nomenclature […]
Review of retapamulin (Altargo), a new topical antibiotic for skin infections
Information from Health Canada about retapaumulin (Altargo), a pleuromutilin antibiotic for the treatment of impetigo and skin infections. On March 19, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance to GlaxoSmithKline Inc. for the drug product AltargoTM. AltargoTM contains the medicinal ingredient retapamulin which is an antibiotic. AltargoTM is indicated for use in adult and […]