The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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Recurrent intake of 4 g/day or more of acetaminophen has been associated with elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in 30-40% of the exposed population and may result in hepatotoxicity. ⋯ Despite electronic systems designed to warn dispensing pharmacists of duplications of drug class and cumulative excessive doses, potentially toxic amounts of acetaminophen are commonly prescribed and dispensed to this population. Better systems, increased awareness, and education of patients, prescribers, and pharmacists are needed to reduce this potential toxic exposure.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Identifying optimal initial infusion rates for unfractionated heparin in morbidly obese patients.
Most literature available for unfractionated heparin (UFH) supports the use of actual body weight for dosing all patients, yet a small proportion of the patients in these studies were morbidly obese. The most appropriate dosing strategy for therapeutic UFH in this patient population is not clearly defined. ⋯ Morbidly obese patients require smaller UFH infusion rates per kilogram actual body weight compared to patients with lower body mass indices. UFH dosing recommendations should be modified to reflect body mass index classification.