Pharmacotherapy
-
To compare conventional intermittent dosing regimens of piperacillin-tazobactam with prolonged and continuous infusions to determine the optimal dosing scheme against a local Pseudomonas aeruginosa population. ⋯ Both prolonged- and continuous-infusion strategies improved the pharmacodynamics of piperacillin-tazobactam over those of traditional 30-minute intermittent-infusion regimens. Prolonged- and continuous infusion regimens that contained the same daily doses of piperacillin had similar likelihoods of bactericidal exposure. Thus, the selection of dosing strategy depends on the availability of intravenous access versus the convenience of once-daily administration.
-
Review Case Reports
Acute interstitial nephritis associated with coadministration of vancomycin and ceftriaxone: case series and review of the literature.
We report what we believe to be the first two cases of acute interstitial nephritis associated with vancomycin and ceftriaxone therapy in adults. A 40-year-old man with a medical history of traumatic brain injury and tonic-clonic seizure disorder was admitted to the hospital with a seizure episode and temperature of 103 degrees F. He was administered ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and acyclovir for suspected bacterial and/or viral meningitis. ⋯ Use of the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale revealed that the adverse reaction was possible in the first case and probable in the second case. Health care professionals need to be cognizant that drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis can be associated with concomitant administration of ceftriaxone and vancomycin therapy. Early detection of this rare adverse reaction is paramount in order to prevent acute renal insufficiency.
-
To evaluate the single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of an oral extended-release formulation of guanfacine in children and adolescents with a diagnosis of attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ⋯ Guanfacine extended-release formulation demonstrated linear pharmacokinetics. Plasma concentrations and concentration-related pharmacokinetic parameters were higher in children than in adolescents. These differences are likely due to heavier body weights in adolescents and young male subjects. No serious adverse events were reported.
-
Comparative Study
Discordant effects of beta-blockade on central aortic systolic and brachial systolic blood pressure: considerations beyond the cuff.
The role of beta-blockers in uncomplicated hypertension has been challenged recently. Compared with other antihypertensives, beta-blockers are less effective for preventing cardiovascular events in patients with uncomplicated hypertension. Moreover, a recent meta-analysis of placebo-controlled clinical trials concluded that atenolol is not more efficacious than placebo for preventing cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension. ⋯ Differences in central and peripheral blood pressure may account for the lack of cardiovascular protection afforded by beta-blockers in clinical trials and could account for a portion of the apparent "benefit beyond blood pressure" reduction with other classes of antihypertensive agents. Future studies should aim to better clarify the role of central aortic blood pressure in the treatment of hypertension. In the meantime, the effects of antihypertensive drugs on blood pressure "beyond the brachial blood pressure cuff" should be considered when prescribing antihypertensive agents for a patient.
-
Review Comparative Study
Does therapeutic use of acetaminophen cause acute liver failure?
To compare the reported occurrence of liver failure in subjects in prospective trials with that in patients in retrospective reports after repeated use of therapeutic dosages of acetaminophen. ⋯ Prospective studies indicated that repeated use of a true therapeutic acetaminophen dosage may slightly increase the level of serum aminotransferase activity, but hepatic failure or death was not reported. Retrospective reports indicated a higher rate of increased serum aminotransferase levels, and several reported associated liver injury and death. The differing results and presence of evidence indicating inaccurate acetaminophen dosage information in some case reports suggests that these cases may be inadvertent overdoses, rather than true therapeutic dosages.