The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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To provide further evidence of cardiovascular adverse effects of ondansetron, including new-onset atrial fibrillation, ST segment elevation, and chest pain subsequent to ondansetron administration, and to review cardiovascular adverse events related to several 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT(3)) receptor antagonists. ⋯ This case report supports the concern regarding cardiovascular adverse effects of ondansetron. Clinicians should be aware of cardiovascular adverse reactions that may be associated with intravenous ondansetron and monitor for electrocardiographic changes as indicated. Further investigation is needed to delineate the actual incidence of cardiovascular effects associated with ondansetron and whether the intravenous rate of administration is a contributing factor.
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Comparative Study
Publication metrics and record of pharmacy practice chairs.
Scholarship is an essential component of academic pharmacy. Department chairs are considered role models and mentors to junior faculty, but their publication record has not been documented. ⋯ These data provide a normative pattern of publication metrics and record for pharmacy practice chairs and demonstrate marked variability in scholarly productivity.
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Osteoporosis continues to be poorly managed despite compelling statistics indicating increased morbidity and mortality associated with fractures. Guideline compliance in individual practices must be evaluated to implement improvements in the care of patients with this disease state. ⋯ Osteoporosis care can be measurably improved at these clinics with use of baseline and appropriate follow-up DXA scans, increasing the number of patients who receive pharmacotherapy, and providing ongoing reinforcement of nonpharmacologic measures whereby bone health may be maintained.
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Hypertension and comorbid dementia are common illnesses affecting older adults disproportionally. Medication adherence is vital in achieving therapeutic outcomes. Use of antihypertensive and dementia medications may vary by race/ethnicity and has not been well explored. ⋯ Racial/ethnic differences exist in antihypertensive and dementia medication use in a cohort of older adults with hypertension and dementia. Adherence rates for a number of antihypertensive and dementia drugs are lower for minorities compared with whites. Healthcare providers should make special efforts to improve medication adherence among minorities.
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To describe a child who developed a skin reaction during gabapentin therapy and discuss how we evaluated the probability of an adverse drug reaction. ⋯ This case, and limited literature data, suggest that gabapentin may cause rash that is severe enough to necessitate discontinuation in a small percentage of children. Further research is needed to determine the actual incidence and severity of gabapentin-related rash in this population.