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Jupiter trial: comments podcast by Therapeutics Initiative
The Therapeutics Initiative is an independent organization at The University of British Columbia dedicated to providing up to date, evidence based, practical information on rational drug therapy. They produced an excellent podcast about the recent JUPITER trial: Download podcast | Subscribe with iTunes | Show Notes Some official information about the trial: Rosuvastatin to Prevent
How to titrate metformin: consensus statement on Diabetes Care
Below is a transcript of the latest statement (December 2008) published on Diabetes Care about the titration of metformin in the medical management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. TITRATION OF METFORMIN 1. Begin with low-dose metformin (500 mg) taken once or twice per day with meals (breakfast and/or dinner) or 850 mg once per
Metformin: consensus statement published on Diabetes Care
Below is a transcript of the latest statement (December 2008) published on Diabetes Care about the role of metformin in the medical management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. Metformin In most of the world, metformin is the only biguanide available. Its major effect is to decrease hepatic glucose output and lower fasting glycemia. Typically,
Pharmacodynamics topics. What is affinity?
The following pharmacological definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. Affinity: The equilibrium constant of the reversible reaction of a drug with a receptor to form a drug-receptor complex; the reciprocal of the dissociation constant of a drug-receptor complex. Under the most general conditions,
Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (exenatide): consensus statement published on Diabetes Care
Below is a transcript of the latest statement (December 2008) published on Diabetes Care, about the role of Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (exenatide) in the medical management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (exenatide). Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) 7–37, a naturally occurring peptide produced by the L-cells of the small intestine, potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin
DPP-4 inhibitors: consensus statement published on Diabetes Care. Diagram of its mechanism of action.
Below is a transcript of the latest statement (December 2008) published on Diabetes Care about the role of dipeptidyl peptidase four inhibitors in the medical management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. Dipeptidyl peptidase four inhibitors. GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), the main insulinotropic peptides of intestinal origin (incretins), are rapidly degraded by dipeptidyl peptidase four (DPP-4).
Sulfonylureas: consensus statement published on Diabetes Care
Below is a transcript of the latest statement (December 2008) published on Diabetes Care about the role of sulfonylureas in the medical management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. Sulfonylureas. Sulfonylureas lower glycemia by enhancing insulin secretion (see mechanism of action). In terms of efficacy, they appear to be similar to metformin, lowering A1C levels by 1.5 percentage points (26,49).
Sildenafil still a drug subject to medical prescription
Pfizer withdraws its application to change the marketing authorisation for Viagra 50 mg (sildenafil) from prescription-only to non-prescription The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has been formally notified by Pfizer Limited of its decision to withdraw its application for a change to the marketing authorisation for the medicine Viagra (sildenafil) 50 mg film-coated tablets. The change concerned switching
Varenicline psychiatric side effects: recommendations from the MHRA
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued recommendations about the use of varenicline (Champix) as a smoking cessation drug. Advice for healthcare professionals: • Patients and their family or care-givers should be made aware of the possibility that trying to stop smoking might cause symptoms of depression • Patients who are taking varenicline
Rufinamide approved as adjunctive for Lennox Gastaut syndrome
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug, Banzel (rufinamide), for use as an adjunctive (add-on) treatment for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. “This approval offers another treatment option for patients who suffer from these debilitating, severe seizures,” said Russell Katz, M.D., director of the Division of Neurology Products in the FDA’s
Statins: mechanism of action and side effects
An overview on the mechanism of action of statins: HMG CoA reductase inhibitors,or statins are widely prescribed drugs. They are indicated for the treatment of hipercholesterolemia, a condition that increases cardiovascular risk. Currently, the drugs of this group that are available are: Atorvastatin Fluvastatin Lovastatin Mevastatin Pitavastatin Pravastatin Rosuvastatin Simvastatin Mechanism of action. Animation explained
Imatinib (Gleevec) pharmacology: mechanism of action and therapeutic considerations
Imatinib mesylate is a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that was initially developed as a 2-phenylaminopyrimidine derivative specific for PDGFR. Imatinib was subsequently found to be a potent inhibitor of ABL kinases, including the BCR-ABL fusion protein generated as a result of the t(9;22) chromosomal translocation (Philadelphia chromosome) found in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and was