Clinical therapeutics
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Clinical therapeutics · Mar 2015
Multicenter StudyCorrelation between baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes in a large population of diabetes patients treated with liraglutide in a real-world setting in Italy.
Treatment with liraglutide in randomized controlled trials is associated with significant reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and weight loss in type 2 diabetes patients. The aim of this retrospective observational study was to investigate correlations of glycemic control and weight outcomes with baseline characteristics of patients starting liraglutide in outpatient clinics in Italy. ⋯ Treatment with liraglutide in a real-world setting is associated with low therapy failure, good glycemic response, weight loss, and improvement in systolic blood pressure and lipid profile. The HbA1c drop did not differ among baseline BMI classes, indicating that efficacy is maintained in patients with lower BMI. The probability of reaching HbA1c ≤7% was significantly higher in patients previously treated with metformin alone and without any previous insulin. This could reinforce the hypothesis that better results with liraglutide could be achieved in patients after early metformin failure.
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Clinical therapeutics · Feb 2015
ReviewSimeprevir and sofosbuvir for treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection.
Chronic hepatitis C infection affects a large proportion of the world's population and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The standard of care for treatment of hepatitis C infection has been peginterferon and ribavirin, with or without a first-generation protease inhibitor. In late 2013 and early 2014, sofosbuvir and simeprevir obtained regulatory approval, offering the first possibility for all-oral treatment regimens. We provide a review of the clinical efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir- and simeprevir-containing regimens. ⋯ Results from numerous Phase 3 clinical trials indicate that sofosbuvir- and simeprevir-containing regimens are highly effective and safe for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection. The approval of these 2 agents has led to a complete overhaul of published guidelines, with sofosbuvir- and simeprevir-containing regimens included in preferred regimens.
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Clinical therapeutics · Feb 2015
Multicenter StudyThe shortened infusion time of intravenous ibuprofen, part 2: a multicenter, open-label, surgical surveillance trial to evaluate safety.
The literature and clinical data support the use of intravenous (IV) infusions of ibuprofen to control pain and reduce the opioid requirements associated with surgical pain. According to current guidelines, IV ibuprofen can be administered via a slow IV infusion performed during a 30-minute period. Although recent studies indicate that more rapid infusions may yield additional benefits for patients, the safety of such an approach needs further evaluation. The main purpose of this study was to determine the safety of single and multiple doses of IV ibuprofen (800 mg) administered over 5 to 10 minutes at the induction of anesthesia and after the surgical procedure for the treatment of postoperative pain. ⋯ Our study found that IV ibuprofen infused over 5 to 10 minutes at induction of anesthesia is a safe administration option for surgical patients. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01334957.
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Clinical therapeutics · Feb 2015
Multicenter StudyThe shortened infusion time of intravenous ibuprofen part 1: a multicenter, open-label, surveillance trial to evaluate safety and efficacy.
The main purpose of the study was to determine the safety profile and efficacy of intravenous ibuprofen administered over 5 to 10 minutes for the treatment of pain or fever in hospitalized patients. Current evidence supports the use of intravenous infusions of ibuprofen to control pain and reduce the opioid requirements associated with surgical pain. Current dosing guidelines recommend that the drug be administered over 30 minutes. However, a more rapid infusion might yield additional benefits. The safety profile and efficacy of a shortened infusion time requires additional study. ⋯ The study demonstrates that more rapid administration of intravenous ibuprofen is well tolerated and supports intravenous ibuprofen as an effective treatment for pain and fever in hospitalized patients.
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Clinical therapeutics · Feb 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialPharmacokinetic properties and tolerability of low-dose SoluMatrix diclofenac.
This study compared the pharmacokinetic properties and safety profile of low-dose (18- and 35-mg) diclofenac capsules manufactured using SoluMatrix Fine Particle Technology (Trademark of iCeutica Inc. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), and the technology is licensed to Iroko Pharmaceuticals, LLC (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) for exclusive use in NSAIDs), which produces submicron-sized drug particles with enhanced dissolution properties, to those of diclofenac potassium immediate-release (IR) 50-mg tablets. ⋯ The pharmacokinetic properties of low-dose SoluMatrix diclofenac capsules in the healthy volunteers in this study suggest rapid diclofenac absorption as measured by T(max). Low-dose SoluMatrix diclofenac capsules represent a potential option for the management of acute and osteoarthritis-related pain.