European journal of clinical pharmacology
-
Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. · Feb 1999
Multicenter StudyUse of laxatives in institutions for the mentally retarded.
To study, in institutionalized mentally retarded patients, the prevalence of regular laxative use, and to identify its correlates. ⋯ Laxative use is frequent in institutions for the mentally retarded, with a large inter-institution variation, indicating that constipation is an important problem and underlining the need for research into cost-effective treatment.
-
Vancomycin hydrochloride dosing requirements in morbidly obese patients with normal renal function were computed to determine the dose of vancomycin necessary to achieve target steady-state peak and trough concentrations and compared with a normal weight population. ⋯ Doses required to achieve desired vancomycin concentrations are similar in morbidly obese and normal weight patients when TBW is used as a dosing weight for the obese (approximately 30 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)). Shorter dosage intervals may be needed when dosing morbidly obese patients so that steady-state trough concentrations remain above 5 microg x ml(-1) in this population. Because of the large amount of variation in required doses, vancomycin serum concentrations should be obtained in morbidly obese patients to ensure that adequate doses are being administered. Dosage requirements for morbidly obese patients with renal dysfunction require further study.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. · Oct 1998
Trends in aspirin, paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in children between 1981 and 1992 in France.
Antipyretic/analgesic drugs (AADs) are among the most commonly used drugs in children. Their efficacy and adverse effects have often been debated and new AADs have been introduced over the past few years. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of the use of AADs in children in France, and their trends. ⋯ The consumption of AADs in children is high and is increasing. Paracetamol and NSAIDs tend to replace aspirin prescription in children and physicians have played the main role in this change.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. · Sep 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialAnalgesic efficacy and pharmacokinetics of topical nimesulide gel in healthy human volunteers: double-blind comparison with piroxicam, diclofenac and placebo.
The present study was conducted to compare the analgesic efficacy of a new topical gel formulation of nimesulide (10 mg of pure drug) with that of placebo, diclofenac and piroxicam gels (10 mg of pure drug) in three parallel groups in a double-blinded, randomized fashion with vehicle placebo. The analgesic activity of nimesulide was subsequently correlated with its pharmacokinetic profile. ⋯ The superior analgesic activity of nimesulide (as gel formulation), correlating with its pharmacokinetic profile, indicates that the topical route of administration may be a safe and effective alternative to the presently used oral and rectal routes.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. · Sep 1998
Clinical TrialBarbiturate coma may promote reversible bone marrow suppression in patients with severe isolated traumatic brain injury.
Barbiturate coma is employed in brain-injured patients whenever increases in intracranial pressure remain unresponsive to less aggressive therapeutic regimens. Barbiturate-mediated neuroprotection, however, is weakened by an increased infection rate related to barbiturate-induced immunosuppression. Co-administration of barbiturates with antibiotics known to induce bone marrow suppression could, in turn, potentiate barbiturate-mediated immunosuppression. Adverse drug reactions and interactions of thiopental with antibiotics in terms of leukopenia, infection rate, and bone marrow suppression were investigated. ⋯ Barbiturate coma may cause reversible leukopenia and an increased infection rate. Long-term administration of thiopental may also promote reversible antibiotic-induced bone marrow suppression. The mechanisms and site of interaction between thiopental and antibiotics cannot be assessed by the present study and remain to be clarified. However, during and after barbiturate coma, close monitoring of leukocytes and infections and careful selection of antibiotics is required.