Current clinical pharmacology
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The goal of this review is to address the medical implications of placebos and placebo effects in future medical practice. The applications of placebos have become increasingly relevant due to a recent abundance of clinical research that has been conducted on the mechanisms under which a placebo response is formed. With current research on placebo, the thoughts of using placebo effects as an effective form of co-treatment for patients with disorders such as pain, depression or Parkinson's disease might become a feasible proposition. This review focuses on crucial studies that have been done in this area of research with regard to the physiological and psychological mechanisms that are associated with the formation of a placebo effect, as well as emphasizing the patient-clinician relationship and the importance of this relationship for a successful treatment regimen.
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Curr Clin Pharmacol · Feb 2014
Review Comparative StudyPharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rivaroxaban--an oral, direct factor Xa inhibitor.
Anticoagulants have a key role in the management of venous and arterial thromboembolic disorders. Traditional anticoagulants, such as unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, fondaparinux, and vitamin K antagonists are effective but have limitations that make the management of thromboembolic disorders difficult. There is a clear need for new anticoagulants that are at least as effective as traditional agents but without their drawbacks. ⋯ It does not require dose adjustment for age, sex, body weight, or ethnicity, and there is no requirement for routine coagulation monitoring because it has been shown to have predictable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Furthermore, rivaroxaban has minimal food and drug interactions. The introduction of newer oral anticoagulants, such as rivaroxaban, that are convenient to administer and have predictable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, could ultimately simplify patient management in clinical practice and may improve clinical outcomes across a broad range of thromboembolic disorders.
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The widespread use of biologics has paved way for newer options in therapeutics for once incurable illnesses. Their large and complex protein structure, post-translational modifications, elaborate manufacturing/production process and risk for immunogenicity adds to the uniqueness of a biologic product. ⋯ We discuss the clinical safety and regulatory requirements for biosimilars in various countries across the world. Future holds promise for biosimilars to provide affordable, efficacious and safe treatment to a vast majority of patients with significant cost savings to the nation.
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Curr Clin Pharmacol · Jan 2014
ReviewGinger for prevention or treatment of drug-induced nausea and vomiting.
In this review, potential benefits of oral ginger for prevention or management of drug- induced nausea and vomiting were evaluated based on the available evidences. ⋯ Various studies have evaluated effects of ginger in prevention and management of nausea and vomiting in different conditions such as pregnancy, chemotherapy, and post-operation. Evidences regarding anti-emetic effect of ginger in prevention and treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting are limited and results are conflicting. More randomized clinical trials should be conducted to confirm efficacy of ginger in this regards. Ginger showed promising and attractive effects in preventing post-operative nausea and vomiting at least as add-on therapy. The exact role of ginger as anti-emetic in prevention of post- operative nausea and vomiting can be elucidated by future randomized clinical trials.
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Curr Clin Pharmacol · Aug 2013
ReviewEfficacy and safety of long acting injectable atypical antipsychotics: a review.
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe and recurrent brain disorder that requires continuous, long-term treatment with antipsychotic medication to minimize relapse and provide clinical benefit to patients. For patients with schizophrenia, non-adherence to medication is a major risk factor for relapse and re-hospitalization. ⋯ Several studies have also demonstrated efficacy and safety of such drugs in patients with acute schizophrenia. In the present paper the literature on LAI atypical antipsychotics will be reviewed and practical advice will be given concerning the use of these drugs in the clinical practice.