Pharmacotherapy
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Nausea and vomiting, common symptoms during pregnancy, often are regarded as an unpleasant but normal part of pregnancy during the first and early second trimesters. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) occurs in approximately 75-80% of pregnant women. The exact etiology and pathogenesis of NVP are poorly understood and are most likely multifactorial. ⋯ Treatment generally begins with nonpharmacologic interventions; if symptoms do not improve, drug therapy is added. Although NVP has been associated with a positive pregnancy outcome, the symptoms can significantly affect a woman's life, both personally and professionally. Given the substantial health care costs, as well as indirect costs, and the potential decrease in quality of life due to NVP, providers need to acknowledge the impact of NVP and provide appropriate treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Electrocardiographic and blood pressure effects of the ephedra-containing TrimSpa thermogenic herbal compound in healthy volunteers.
To determine the effect of an ephedra-containing thermogenic herbal compound (TrimSpa) on rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval duration and systolic blood pressure. ⋯ Standard doses of TrimSpa did not induce changes in subjects' QTc intervals or systolic blood pressures. However, because the QTc interval dramatically changed in one subject taking TrimSpa, a large study is needed to determine if the effect is an artifact or if the subject represents a subset of people for whom the drug may pose a risk.
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In 2002, an estimated 11.2 million adults in the United States had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Guidelines for the management of the disease have been published by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and the American Thoracic Society-European Respiratory Society. ⋯ This intervention applies not only to stable COPD, but also to exacerbations (flares) of the disease. Prevention strategies have been developed for acute exacerbations, and management strategies include using short-acting beta(2)-agonists, systemic corticosteroids, and antibiotics, in both at home and hospital settings.
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The use of combined therapy with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) for treatment of proteinuria has been gaining support. Limited data are available regarding this treatment in the pediatric population. ⋯ Further investigation into the utility and safety of dual therapy with an ACE inhibitor plus an ARB in pediatric patients is warranted. Key Words: renal failure, proteinuria, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, ACEI, angiotensin II receptor blocker, ARB.
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To develop limited sampling strategies for estimation of mycophenolic acid exposure (by determining area under the concentration-time curve [AUC]) in lung transplant recipients by using sampling times within 2 hours after drug administration and a maximum of three plasma samples. ⋯ Two-concentration limited sampling strategies provided minimally biased and highly precise estimation of mycophenolic acid AUC in lung transplant recipients. These optimal and most clinically feasible limited sampling strategies are based collectively on the number of blood samples required, r2 value, bias, and precision.