The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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Pharmacy practice studies have been criticized for presenting poor intervention description, which has serious implications when attempting to replicate interventions elsewhere. Evidence of improved outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) following pharmacist intervention exist in the literature, but similar concerns with intervention description have been raised. ⋯ Information contained in most articles reporting pharmacist interventions in CKD is not sufficient to ensure the implementation of the service in clinical practice. Pharmacy practice research articles should be written with the aim of improving clinical practice and not just showing the results of pharmacists' interventions.
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Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) requires aggressive management with multiple antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) often requiring the initiation of continuous infusions of propofol, midazolam, or pentobarbital to achieve adequate control in addition to intermittent agents. Ketamine has been implicated in several case reports as a successful agent for treating RSE given that it blocks the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, which is overexpressed in prolonged status epilepticus. ⋯ This is the first case report to describe a successful transition to a ketamine infusion in a patient with AHS and transaminitis.
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To report a case of sustained hypotension associated with the use of intravenous metoclopramide. ⋯ Intravenous metoclopramide may cause sustained episodes of hypotension.
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With the release of the updated pain, agitation, and delirium guidelines by the Society of Critical Care Medicine, a number of new and updated recommendations are provided regarding the pharmacological prevention and treatment of ICU delirium. Whereas this is important to understand the limitations of existing literature in interpreting the guideline recommendations, it also provides an opportunity to identify those areas of practice where we need further knowledge. We discuss 5 of the most critical questions in our view regarding pharmacological therapy for ICU delirium in an attempt to highlight areas of this ICU condition that are much deserving of further research, including the deliriogenic potential of dexmedetomidine, optimal sedative choices for the delirious ICU patient, pharmacological prophylaxis for ICU delirium, optimal treatment duration for ICU delirium, and the impact of pharmacotherapy on long-term cognitive outcomes in ICU survivors. A multitude of opportunities for further research exist in the above areas for clinicians and researchers interested in this ICU condition.
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To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical trials, adverse effects, and formulary considerations of ponatinib, a pan-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). ⋯ Ponatinib is a potent TKI that can overcome several resistance mechanisms in previously treated patients with CML and Ph+ ALL. Ponatinib should be reserved for patients who have failed first-line therapy, have the T315I mutation, or have progressed.