Current medical research and opinion
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Trastuzumab, an anti-HER2 humanized monoclonal antibody, is the standard treatment for both early and metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. In addition to other chemotherapeutic agents, trastuzumab significantly improves response rate and survival in HER2-positive early and metastatic breast cancer. Although it is well known that trastuzumab therapy is closely associated with both symptomatic and asymptomatic cardiotoxicity, less is known about novel HER2-targeted therapies. The aim of this review is to discuss the cardiac safety data from recent studies of novel anti-HER2 drugs other than trastuzumab. ⋯ Although cardiac toxicity has been reported as an adverse event for novel HER2-targeted therapies, cardiac dysfunction rate of the novel HER2-targeted therapies is significantly lower than the trastuzumab and combination of these agents with trastuzumab did not significantly increase the cardiac adverse events.
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Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States and its prevalence continues to increase. Adjunctive treatment with pharmacotherapy is often reserved for individuals who fail to achieve their intended weight goals with diet and exercise alone. Current approved therapies for weight loss include phentermine, diethylpropion, orlistat, and phentermine/topiramate. The objective of this paper was to review the place of lorcaserin, a novel serotonin 2C agonist, which was FDA approved in July 2012. Unlike contemporary lipase inhibitors and sympathomimetic amines, lorcaserin is purported to reduce food consumption and increase satiety. ⋯ For now, pharmacists should continue to recommend the use of lorcaserin as a complement to, not in lieu of, ongoing lifestyle and behavioral modification.
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Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States and its prevalence continues to increase. Adjunctive treatment with pharmacotherapy is often reserved for individuals who fail to achieve their intended weight goals with diet and exercise alone. Current approved therapies for weight loss include phentermine, diethylpropion, orlistat, and phentermine/topiramate. The objective of this paper was to review the place of lorcaserin, a novel serotonin 2C agonist, which was FDA approved in July 2012. Unlike contemporary lipase inhibitors and sympathomimetic amines, lorcaserin is purported to reduce food consumption and increase satiety. ⋯ For now, pharmacists should continue to recommend the use of lorcaserin as a complement to, not in lieu of, ongoing lifestyle and behavioral modification.
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The capsaicin 8% cutaneous patch is an emergent new treatment option for patients with peripheral neuropathic pain. In randomized controlled clinical studies relevant pain relief for 12 weeks was achieved in about one third of patients following a single application. The first part of this paper is a review of the pathophysiology, pharmacology, and published clinical trials with the capsaicin 8% cutaneous patch. ⋯ Treatment with the capsaicin 8% cutaneous patch was generally safe and well tolerated. The workshop panel recommended further investigation of opportunities to improve the application procedure and to perform studies on the skin penetration and distribution of capsaicin. A modified quantitative sensory testing (QST) should be developed for clinical practice in order to better understand the correlation of sensory profiles and response to capsaicin treatment.
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To discuss challenges in the pharmacologic management of osteoarthritis (OA) pain. ⋯ The safety and efficacy concerns associated with currently available OA treatment options establish a need to develop new treatment strategies. Disease-modifying agents and novel drug formulations are currently under investigation. As these new pharmacologic options evolve, their adoption may lower risk and improve clinical outcomes.