Current medical research and opinion
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The development of new formulations of extended-release (ER) opioids with abuse-deterrent technology attempts to deter prescription opioid abuse while maintaining appropriate access to care for pain patients. This study examined the degree to which some patients may avoid switching to reformulated ER opioids with abuse-deterrent technology and the extent to which those patients are more likely to be abusers. ⋯ Some patients switched to other ER/LA opioids without abuse-deterrent technology or discontinued ER/LA opioid treatment when their existing ER treatment was reformulated. Rates of opioid abuse were higher among patients who switched to other ER/LA opioids or discontinued ER/LA opioid treatment, suggesting that abusers may seek more easily abuseable alternatives such as prescription opioids without abuse-deterrent technology.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Systematic evidence synthesis of treatments for ADHD in children and adolescents: indirect treatment comparisons of lisdexamfetamine with methylphenidate and atomoxetine.
Systematically review and synthesize the clinical evidence of treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by indirectly comparing established treatments in the UK with a drug recently approved in Europe (lisdexamfetamine [LDX]). ⋯ For the treatment of ADHD, the synthesis of efficacy data showed statistically significant better probabilities of response with LDX than for formulations of MPH or ATX. The analysis of safety data proved inconclusive due to low event rates. These results may be limited by the studies included, which only investigated the short-term efficacy of medications in patients without comorbid disorders.
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Medication prescribing information provides guidance to healthcare providers on how to prescribe a drug properly. Oftentimes patient factors in addition to the prescribing information are considered when selecting medications. Utilizing real-world pharmacy and medical claims data, this study assessed US practitioner prescribing practices of US approved transdermal buprenorphine system (BTDS) in relation to BTDS's full prescribing information (FPI) as well as the relationship between patient factors and initial BTDS dose. ⋯ Data obtained from prescription claims reflect only the activities of prescriptions filled, not medication use or other clinical characteristics observed by physicians when treating patients.
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Meta Analysis
The impact of VKORC1-1639G > A genetic polymorphism upon warfarin dose requirement in different ethnic populations.
Published data on the association between vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1 (VKORC1)-1639G > A polymorphism and warfarin dose requirement are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. ⋯ This meta-analysis indicated that the VKORC1-1639G > A genetic polymorphism is associated with the variation of interindividual warfarin dose requirement in different ethnic populations.
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Data is currently lacking in evaluating the weekly rates of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) among patients receiving anticoagulants. ⋯ This analysis suggests that the risk of VTE recurrence remains high in the early weeks after an index VTE among patients receiving anticoagulants.