The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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To evaluate clinical studies on the role of moxifloxacin in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). ⋯ Although it cannot be stated definitively, available evidence suggests that moxifloxacin appears to be as effective as ethambutol and is possibly as effective as isoniazid in the treatment of pulmonary TB. Given the generally poor second-line options for the treatment of TB, moxifloxacin is an attractive option as an alternative drug in TB treatment.
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To summarize published data regarding the safety and efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). ⋯ Clinical trials have failed to demonstrate a consistent beneficial effect of probiotics in mechanically ventilated patients; thus, they are not recommended for routine clinical use. However, heterogeneity among study designs may hinder this assessment and the designs should be unified in future research.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Pharmacist-led group medical appointments for the management of type 2 diabetes with comorbid depression in older adults.
Depression is associated with poor glycemic control, increased number of microvascular and macrovascular complications, functional impairment, mortality, and 4.5 times higher total health care costs in patients with diabetes. Shared medical appointments (SMAs) may be an effective method to attain national guideline recommendations for glycemic control in diabetes for patients with depression through peer support, counseling, problem solving, and improved access to care. ⋯ Pharmacist-led group SMA visits are efficacious in attainment of glycemic control in patients with diabetes and depression without change in depression symptoms.
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To evaluate current evidence for the use of lacosamide in the treatment of refractory status epilepticus. ⋯ While lacosamide has been reported as an effective treatment for refractory status epilepticus, there is insufficient evidence for its routine use. For cases in which the risks associated with anesthetizing drugs are believed to outweigh the benefits, such as in complex partial status epilepticus, lacosamide may be a reasonable option after more established drug therapies fail.