Clinical therapeutics
-
Clinical therapeutics · Jun 2005
Review Comparative StudyAnidulafungin: a new echinocandin with a novel profile.
Until recently, available treatment for serious fungal infections comprised amphotericin B and azoles, which have limitations. Renal toxicity is a major concern with amphotericin B, while drug-drug interactions, hepatotoxicity, and skin rashes are the primary concerns with the azole medications. The development of the echinocandins, including caspofungin, has helped to fill the need for more efficacious antifungals that are useful across different patient populations and have a good safety profile. Anidulafungin is an echinocandin being developed to treat mucosal and invasive fungal infections. ⋯ Anidulafungin may offer a new option to treat serious fungal infections, such as EC, azole-refractory EC, candidemia, and IC. In addition, anidulafungin has been associated with no clinically significant drug-drug interactions and few treatment-related AEs. Anidulafungin may offer a new option in the management of serious and difficult-to-treat invasive fungal infections.
-
Clinical therapeutics · Jun 2005
Randomized Controlled TrialEfficacy and safety profile of fenofibrate-coated microgranules 130 mg, with and without food, in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and the metabolic syndrome: an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
The limited bioavailability of certain fenofibrate formulations necessitates administration with food, raising concerns about efficacy and compliance. There is a need for new formulations that have improved bioavailability and eliminate the requirement for administration with food. ⋯ This study found no inequivalence in the TG-lowering effects of the 2 fenofibrate regimens compared with placebo. Both regimens were well tolerated. Thus, FF-muG 130 mg administered without regard to meals appears to be efficacious and well tolerated for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in patients exhibiting the metabolic syndrome.
-
Clinical therapeutics · May 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialEfficacy and tolerability of combination therapy with valsartan plus hydrochlorothiazide compared with amlodipine monotherapy in hypertensive patients with other cardiovascular risk factors: the VAST study.
Recent antihypertensive treatment guidelines recommend greater use of combination therapies. ⋯ In this group of patients with moderate hypertension and > or =1 other cardiovascular risk factor or concomitant condition, similar and greater antihypertensive effects were seen with the fixed-dose combinations of valsartan 160 mg and HCTZ 12.5 and 25 mg OD, respectively, compared with amlodipine 10 mg OD, with significantly lower rates of treatment-related adverse events and possible beneficial effects on vascular markers.
-
Clinical therapeutics · May 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialFlurbiprofen axetil preceded by venous occlusion in the prevention of pain on propofol injection in the hand: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, dose-finding study in Japanese adult surgical patients.
Pain on injection is still a major problem with propofol used for general anesthesia. A number of techniques for reducing propofol-induced pain on injection have been tried, with variable results. Flurbiprofen axetil, a prodrug of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug flurbiprofen, has been used for postoperative pain management but has not been studied for managing pain on injection of propofol when preceded with venous occlusion. ⋯ In this study of Japanese adult surgical patients, flurbiprofen axetil at doses of 50 and 75 mg, preceded by venous occlusion for 2 minutes, was found to be effective in reducing propofol-induced pain on injection.
-
Clinical therapeutics · May 2005
Cefepime and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT): in vitro permeability of two CRRT membranes and pharmacokinetics in four critically ill patients.
Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative micro-organisms. It is a useful option for treating infections in critically ill patients in intensive care due to its high degree of activity and its tolerability. ⋯ Cefepime was significantly removed by CRRT. No significant differences were found in the Sc or Sa of cefepime between AN69 and PS membranes used in the CVVH or CVVHD procedures. The clearance of cefepime by CRRT must be considered when dosing critically ill patients.