Pharmacotherapy
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Case Reports
Management of Dabigatran-Associated Bleeding with Two Doses of Idarucizumab Plus Hemodialysis.
Vitamin K antagonists have been a mainstay of treatment for patients requiring anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, but direct oral anticoagulants, such as dabigatran, have become increasingly prescribed. Compared with warfarin, dabigatran has a significantly lower risk of life-threatening bleeding; however, bleeding events can still occur, supporting the need for effective reversal strategies. Idarucizumab was recently approved by the U. ⋯ Although two doses of idarucizumab were given to our patient, this dosing regimen is not the current standard of practice. Administration of idarucizumab and the use of additional reversal strategies should involve an assessment of each individual patient's severity of bleeding and subsequent risk of thrombosis. Due to the recent availability of idarucizumab and varying success with alternative reversal strategies, additional knowledge is needed for the optimal reversal of anticoagulation from dabigatran.
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Midazolam, fentanyl, and propofol are commonly used for sedation in modern anesthesia practice. These agents possess characteristics that have afforded various anesthetics to be delivered and produce relatively safe and effective outcomes. However, each agent has certain drawbacks in clinical practice. ⋯ Because remimazolam follows first-order pharmacokinetics, prolonged infusions or higher doses are unlikely to result in accumulation and extended effect, making it favorable for use as an intravenous anesthetic and for sedation in the intensive care unit. It is expected that phase III trials will further describe the niche that remimazolam may be able to occupy in clinical practice. Postmarket cost-benefit analyses will need to be performed.
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Hyperkalemia is a potentially life-threatening electrolyte abnormality that may be caused by select medications, underlying organ dysfunction, or alterations in potassium homeostasis. Treatment for this condition has remained largely unchanged since the release of sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) in 1958. Despite its widespread use, the safety and efficacy of SPS remains controversial. ⋯ ZS-9 is an orally administered nonabsorbed inorganic compound that selectively binds potassium ions in vivo. Two phase III multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials have evaluated ZS-9 for the treatment of acute hyperkalemia. In this review, we discuss the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, safety, and potential place in therapy of ZS-9 for the enhanced elimination of potassium in the setting of hyperkalemia.
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We compared the safety profile of biologic drugs in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). ⋯ The assessment of the relative safety profile revealed no significant differences between the biologic drugs. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings including head-to-head comparisons between the analyzed biologics.
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Gouty arthritis is one of the most common rheumatic diseases. The clinical burden of gouty arthritis has historically been well recognized; however, gout is often misdiagnosed and mismanaged. The prevalence of gout is rising and is likely attributed to several factors including increased incidence of comorbidities, lifestyle factors, and increased use of causative medications. ⋯ Add-on therapies that reduce serum urate concentration include traditional uricosuric agents and a novel uric acid reabsorption inhibitor. Prophylaxis of acute gout with NSAIDs, colchicine, or corticosteroids is universally recommended when initiating any urate-lowering therapy in order to prevent acute gouty arthritis for a period of at least 6 months. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology and risk factors for gouty arthritis and evaluate diagnostic strategies and therapeutic regimens for the management of gout, including a new drug approval.