Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A comparison of propofol vs. dexmedetomidine for sedation, haemodynamic control and satisfaction, during esophagogastroduodenoscopy under conscious sedation.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a common diagnostic procedure which requires sedation for most patients. We undertook a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study to compare the effect of propofol vs. dexmedetomidine on the sedation of outpatients during EGD. ⋯ Propofol and dexmedetomidine provide a relatively satisfactory level of sedation without clinically notable adverse effects during EGD. In addition, patients preferred propofol administration for the deeper sedation and rapid recovery, and dexmedetomidine exhibited minimal adverse effects on respiratory function.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Intravenous dexketoprofen induces less injection pain than racemic ketoprofen.
Ketoprofen has high analgesic efficacy against inflammatory and nociceptive pain. Additionally, when ketoprofen is administered in conjunction with an opioid during pain management, it prevents the development of opioid-induced hyperalgesia. The main limitation for racemic ketoprofen IV administration is venous irritation. Dexketoprofen is the active enantiomer of racemic ketoprofen and has a similar analgesic efficacy in a dose proportion of 1 : 2, but it causes fewer adverse effects than racemic ketoprofen. It has been claimed that dexketoprofen may cause less frequent and less severe injection pain than racemic ketoprofen. In this study, we compared the injection pain of IV administered racemic ketoprofen and dexketoprofen in elective surgical patients. ⋯ Dexketoprofen causes significantly less injection pain than racemic ketoprofen; therefore, it may be a more suitable IV non-steroidal anti-inflammatory than the racemate.
-
Medication is the main treatment option for patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. However, medication can have negative effects. We aimed to detect negative outcomes associated with medication that led to patients with chronic atrial fibrillation presenting themselves to hospital emergency departments. We assessed the severity of those outcomes and comment on whether they could have been avoided. ⋯ A high percentage of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation presenting at hospital emergency departments had negative outcomes associated with medication. Some led to deaths. More than half of these were severe, and most could have been avoided.
-
For over 50 years, warfarin was the only oral anticoagulant approved in the United States. In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved rivaroxaban. Since its introduction, rivaroxaban has served as an alternative to warfarin to minimize drug interactions and avoid drug monitoring. The objective of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of rivaroxaban dosing, indication and safety in a community hospital and to identify areas for improvement in its use. ⋯ Though offering potential advantages over warfarin, the use of rivaroxaban should be monitored to increase appropriateness of therapy and improve patient safety. Therapeutic interchanges, pharmacist-directed interventions and other initiatives can be implemented to ensure appropriate use.
-
Positive volume balance is related with high mortality in critically ill patients. We describe our experience in the use of tolvaptan in patients with fluid overload. ⋯ Tolvaptan could be an option in critically ill patients with fluid overload and resistant or not treatable with conventional diuretics.