Nitrous oxide: neurological and haematological toxic effects. Update by the MHRA
Nitrous oxide: neurological and haematological toxic effects, especially with prolonged use Keywords: Nitrous oxide, neurological, haematological toxicity “Neurological and haematological toxic effects can occur with prolonged use of nitrous oxide. Neurological effects can occur without preceding overt haematological changes.Assessment of vitamin B12 levels should be considered before nitrous oxide anaesthesia in people with risk factors […]
Osteoarthritis treatment podcast: NSAIDs, opioids, glucosamine and other therapies
In this podcast, the team of Therapeutics Initiative reviews the pharmacological and non pharmacological treatments for osteoarthritis. “In our 32nd episode we review the therapeutic options for the treatment of osteoarthritis. We first deal with lifestyle interventions for osteoarthritis. We consider the pain pharmaceuticals like acetaminophen, topical or oral NSAIDs, and opiates as well as […]
Zoledronic acid: summary review and side effects profile published on the NPS RADAR
An excerpt of the summary review and side effects profile of Zoledronic acid, published on the australian NPS RADAR: Zoledronic acid is an intravenous bisphosphonate. It is given as a once-yearly infusion for osteoporosis in women with any fracture, and in men with a minimal-trauma hip fracture. Some patients may prefer zoledronic acid to oral […]
Theraloc (nimotuzumab) for high grade glioma: the manufacturer withdrawed its marketing application
EMEA press release about the marketing authorization withdrawal for the monoclonal antibody nimotuzumab (Theraloc): Oncoscience AG withdraws its application for Theraloc (nimotuzumab) The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has been formally notified by Oncoscience AG of its decision to withdraw its application for a centralised marketing authorisation for the medicine Theraloc (nimotuzumab), 5 mg/ml concentrate for solution for […]
Pharmacodynamics animation: full agonists, partial agonists, inverse agonists, competitive antagonists and irreversible antagonists.
First, some pharmacodynamic definitions related to the animation: Full Agonists: Compounds that are able to elicit a maximal response following receptor occupation and activation. Partial Agonists: Compounds that can activate receptors but are unable to elicit the maximal response of the receptor system. Inverse agonist: an agent which binds to the same receptor binding-site as […]
NPS RADAR: Rosiglitazone is a third-line choice in diabetes type 2 treatment
Summary of the review of the NPS RADAR on rosiglitazone (Avandia) Rosiglitazone improves glycaemic control but there is a lack of evidence that it improves diabetes–related clinical complications and mortality. Prescribers should consider this —along with recently emerging safety information — when assessing the ratio of potential harms and benefits for each patient. Rosiglitazone is […]
Drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system: animation showing their mechanism of action
The following is a list of drugs related to the animation: Adrenoceptor-Activating & Other Sympathomimetic Drugs Dobutamine, Ephedrine, Epinephrine, Hydroxyamphetamine, Isoproterenol, Methylphenidate, Naphazoline, Norepinephrine. Adrenoceptor Antagonist Drugs Acebutolol, Atenolol, Betaxolol, Bisoprolol, Carteolol, Carvedilo,l Carvedilol, Esmolol, Labetalol, Metoprolol, Nadolol, Pindolol, Propranolol, Sotalol, Timolol. Cholinoceptor-Activating (Acetylcholine receptor stimulants) Acetylcholine, Bethanechol, Carbachol, Cevimeline, Pilocarpine. Cholinoceptor-Blocking Drugs (Cholinoceptor antagonists) […]
Pharmacokinetics. What is clearance -volume/unit time- (Cl, Clx)?
The following pharmacological definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. Cl, Clx: Clearance – in volume/unit time – of a drug or chemical from a body fluid, usually plasma or blood, by specified route(s) and mechanism(s) of elimination, as indicated by a subscript, e.g., […]
About the doctor – drug rep relationship: what do big pharmas know about you?
These are tables from an article published in PLoS Medicine about the relationship between pharmaceutical industry and doctors. Below are described the tactics drug reps use to manipulate physicians. IN MY OPINION, EVERY PRACTISING MD SHOULD READ THESE CATEGORIES Click on an image to see its full size Source: PLoS Medicine. Following the Script: How […]
EMEA: Physicians should not prescribe Acomplia (rimonabant)
The European Medicines Agency recommends suspension of the marketing authorisation of Acomplia The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has recommended the suspension of the marketing authorisation for Acomplia (rimonabant) from Sanofi-Aventis. The EMEA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has concluded that the benefits of Acomplia no longer outweigh its risks and the marketing authorisation […]
Antipsychotics for acute and chronic pain: a systematic review
Summary Analgesic effects of antipsychotics in acute and chronic painful states Antipsychotics are used in different chronic pain states (e.g. chronic headache, fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathia). With atypical antipsychotics a new class of antipsychotics is available, with lesser extrapyramidal side effects and additional benefits. The review authors assessed the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of […]
Pharmacokinetics. What is steady state concentration (Css)?
Pharmacokinetics. Definition of the term steady state in clinical pharmacology.
Anticholinergics mechanism of action in bronchodilation
Some additional information from Goodman & Gilman’s Anticholinergic Agents With the advent of inhaled beta adrenergic agonists, use of anticholinergic agents declined. Renewed interest in anticholinergic agents paralleled the realization that parasympathetic pathways are important in bronchospasm in some asthmatics and the availability of ipratropium bromide (ATROVENT), a quaternary muscarinic receptor antagonist that has better […]
Beta lactams antibiotics (penicillins and cephalosporins) mechanism of action: videos and animations
Mechanism of action of the beta lactam antibiotics (penicillins and cephalosporins) The beta-lactam antibiotics can kill susceptible bacteria. Although knowledge of the mechanism of this action is incomplete, numerous researchers have supplied information that allows understanding of the basic phenomenon (seeGhuysen, 1991; Bayles, 2000). The cell walls of bacteria are essential for their normal growth […]