Pharmacotherapy
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Review
Bedaquiline: a novel antitubercular agent for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Bedaquiline is a diarylquinoline antitubercular drug with a novel mechanism of action against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Bedaquiline works by inhibiting bacterial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase and represents the first novel class of antituberculosis agents in more than 40 years. Bedaquiline is indicated for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) in combination with at least three other antitubercular drugs when no other effective regimen is available. ⋯ Unexplained higher mortality was seen in patients receiving bedaquiline versus those receiving placebo. Bedaquiline is a novel agent with a unique mechanism of action and has the potential to meet a great need in patients with MDR TB who have no other treatment options. Due to safety concerns and limited clinical information, phase III trials are needed to fully determine its place in therapy.
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Comparative Study
Impact of an antimicrobial stewardship program on the use of carbapenems in a tertiary women's and children's hospital, Singapore.
Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) promote the judicious use of antimicrobials by limiting inappropriate use. This article evaluates the impact of a prospective-audit-and-feedback ASP implementation on the appropriate utilization of carbapenems in a tertiary pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology hospital in Singapore (KKH) after the establishment of an ASP in July 2011. ⋯ ASPs improved the appropriateness of carbapenems prescribing overall and reduced utilization in pediatrics. Identification of areas of inappropriate prescribing will be valuable in guiding future ASP efforts.
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Review
GLP-1 receptor agonists for type 2 diabetes mellitus: recent developments and emerging agents.
More than 26 million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Many treatment options exist, but achieving long-term glycemic control in patients with T2D remains challenging. The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) offer a treatment option that improves glycemic control and reduces weight, with a low risk of hypoglycemia. ⋯ The most common adverse effects of all GLP-1 RA agents are gastrointestinal (e.g., nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting), but the rates of occurrence vary among agents. Due to the differences in pharmacokinetics, efficacy, rates of adverse effects, and administration requirements within the GLP-1 RA class, each agent should be evaluated independently. The future of GLP-1 RAs offers broader treatment options for T2D as well as potential in other treatment areas.