The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Efficacy and safety of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in children and adults: a meta-analysis and qualitative review.
To evaluate the analgesic and antipyretic efficacy and safety of ibuprofen compared to acetaminophen in children and adults. ⋯ Ibuprofen is as or more efficacious than acetaminophen for the treatment of pain and fever in adult and pediatric populations and is equally safe.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparative efficacy and safety of low-dose pitavastatin versus atorvastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Previous studies have shown conflicting results on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction for comparable doses of pitavastatin and atorvastatin. ⋯ Although pitavastatin 1 mg daily was not as effective at lowering LDL-C and TC levels as atorvastatin 10 mg daily, the number of patients achieving their LDL-C goals with pitavastatin was comparable with the number using atorvastatin. Pitavastatin 1 mg once daily may be an alternative regimen with cost-saving benefits but without a significant decrease in therapeutic benefit or increase in adverse events in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
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Clinicians practicing in Emergency Departments (EDs) using outdated pocket guides and other non-pregnancy-specific references when prescribing in pregnancy may place the pregnancy or fetus at risk. ⋯ EM clinicians rely on general references to make prescribing decisions for pregnant patients and are willing to prescribe medications that have data to support safe use in pregnancy. A minority of EM clinicians acknowledged the availability of pregnancy-specific references in the ED. Increased awareness of references that incorporate human data into their pharmacotherapy recommendations is warranted to assist EM clinicians in achieving their goal of prescribing safely in the pregnant patient.
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An organized and uniform approach to managing sedation in critically ill patients has been associated with improved outcomes, but the most effective means of optimizing sedative medication use in clinical practice has not been fully determined. Pharmacist interventions directed at improving sedation guideline compliance have been shown to reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Tele-ICU resources can be utilized to increase compliance with an established ICU sedation guideline and extend the benefits that daytime ICU clinical pharmacy services provide. Increased ICU pharmacist availability may have additional benefits not measured in this study.
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Review Comparative Study
Efficacy and safety of ticagrelor: a reversible P2Y12 receptor antagonist.
To summarize the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of ticagrelor, a selective P2Y12 receptor antagonist, and evaluate its role in the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). ⋯ Ticagrelor's improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile builds upon the limitations of currently available P2Y12 receptor antagonists. Ticagrelor represents a promising approach for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with ACS.