European journal of clinical pharmacology
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Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. · Apr 2013
Difficulties swallowing solid oral dosage forms in a general practice population: prevalence, causes, and relationship to dosage forms.
We assessed the prevalence of difficulties in swallowing solid oral dosage forms in a general practice population. Reasons, nature, and characteristics of tablets and capsules causing such difficulties were investigated as well as general practitioners' (GP) awareness of these difficulties. ⋯ One in 11 primary care patients had frequent difficulties in swallowing tablets and capsules while GPs grossly underestimated these problems. Therefore, physicians should rule out swallowing difficulties regularly to avoid non-adherence and inappropriate drug modifications. Special attention should be paid to specific patient groups (e.g. women and patients with dysphagia, dysphagia indicators, or mental illness).
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Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. · Apr 2013
A phase I study to assess the effect of food on the single dose bioavailability of the THC/CBD oromucosal spray.
To assess the effect of food on the single-dose bioavailability of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD) spray, an endocannabinoid system modulator, when administered to healthy male subjects. ⋯ The THC/CBD spray was well tolerated in male subjects at a single dose of four sprays. The large inter-subject variability in exposure suggests that the changes observed are unlikely to be clinically relevant.
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Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. · Apr 2013
ReviewMedication errors in the Middle East countries: a systematic review of the literature.
Medication errors are a significant global concern and can cause serious medical consequences for patients. Little is known about medication errors in Middle Eastern countries. The objectives of this systematic review were to review studies of the incidence and types of medication errors in Middle Eastern countries and to identify the main contributory factors involved. ⋯ Studies related to medication errors in the Middle Eastern countries were relatively few in number and of poor quality. Educational programmes on drug therapy for doctors and nurses are urgently needed.
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Citalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant that is widely used in clinical practice. Recent data have indicated that high therapeutic citalopram doses may cause electrocardiographic abnormalities, and the regulatory authorities have amended its licenced dosage. The present manuscript reviews the available data concerning citalopram and cardiac toxicity. ⋯ A dose-effect relationship for QT prolongation exists across a broad range of citalopram doses, such that caution must be exercised when prescribing high doses or if there are co-existent risk factors for QT effects. The available data illustrate how clinical toxicity data may offer an earlier signal of cardiac effects than ascertained from conventional pharmacovigilance methods.
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Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. · Apr 2013
Clinical TrialAcetaminophen protein adduct formation following low-dose acetaminophen exposure: comparison of immediate-release vs extended-release formulations.
Acetaminophen (APAP) protein adducts are a biomarker of APAP metabolism, reflecting oxidation of APAP and generation of the reactive metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine. High levels of adducts correspond to liver toxicity in patients with APAP-related acute liver failure. Adduct formation following low-dose exposure to APAP has not been well studied. APAP protein adducts were measured in blood samples collected from fasted individuals who participated in a crossover study of APAP (80 mg/kg) comparing extended release (ER) and immediate release (IR) formulations. ⋯ APAP protein adducts are rapidly formed following nontoxic ingestion of APAP at levels significantly lower than those associated with acute liver failure.