Expert opinion on drug safety
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Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant with one known mechanism of action which is used most specifically in the management of neuropathic pain. ⋯ Pregabalin is a mostly well tolerated medication for the management of neuropathic pain and other conditions. Pregabalin use is associated with benign central nervous system and systemic adverse effects with very limited metabolic, idiosyncratic, or teratogenic adverse effects. Understanding of these adverse effects is essential for the clinician treating the patient and for the patient receiving treatment. Sedation, dizziness, peripheral edema, and dry mouth are the most prevalent adverse events experienced in all clinical populations. Other adverse effects are rare, but are discussed.
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Expert Opin Drug Saf · May 2012
ReviewAdverse effects of topical anesthetics for dermatologic procedures.
Topical anesthetics are frequently used to decrease the pain associated with a variety of procedures including cutaneous surgery, cosmetic treatments and laser surgery. They are also routinely used in children prior to invasive procedures, such as venipuncture. The ideal topical anesthetic should safely increase patient comfort associated with these procedures with minimal potential for adverse effects. ⋯ Medical practitioners can mitigate the risk of side effects and toxicity with careful selection of anesthetic type, concentration, body location and dermatologic procedure. Compounded formulations should be used with caution in medical settings only on limited body surface areas without occlusion. This review presents a detailed analysis of products available, reported complications and an outline for appropriate use of topical anesthetics in combination with dermatologic procedures.
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Beta-lactam antibiotics are among the most clinically useful antimicrobials used in medicine. Unfortunately, adverse events related to their use remain poorly understood by many clinicians and, in particular, the misdiagnosis of β-lactam allergy and misunderstanding of crossreactivity among members of the β-lactam antibiotics may effectively eliminate a whole class of antimicrobials from use and require the use of broader spectrum agents with less well-established safety profiles. ⋯ Beta-lactams are generally safe drugs and serious adverse events are rare and allergy is overdiagnosed. Accurate diagnosis can usually be achieved through careful history and in some instances skin or in vitro testing is required. Even among individuals with true immediate-type allergy to penicillin, most cephalosporins are readily tolerated and desensitization is usually an option in cases where no alternate antimicrobials are available. Other allergic reactions (Type II, III and IV) are rare and avoidance of the culprit agent is generally recommended. Nonallergic or morbilliform rashes are generally not allergic in nature and should not prompt drug or class avoidance. Other adverse events are frequently dose-related and can be avoided by appropriate dosing and consideration of renal function.