The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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Case Reports
Dexmedetomidine infusion as adjunctive therapy to benzodiazepines for acute alcohol withdrawal.
To report a case of alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens successfully treated with adjunctive dexmedetomidine. ⋯ In patients with delirium tremens, dexmedetomidine should be considered as an option for primary treatment. This case illustrates the need for further studies to investigate other potential uses for dexmedetomidine.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of oral aspirin versus topical applied methyl salicylate for platelet inhibition.
Oral acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is the primary antiplatelet therapy in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome. Methyl salicylate (MS; oil of wintergreen) is compounded into many over-the-counter antiinflammatory muscle preparations and has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation locally and to be absorbed systemically. ⋯ Topical MS and oral aspirin both significantly decrease platelet aggregation in healthy human volunteers.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intranasal versus intravenous fentanyl in patients with pain after oral surgery.
Fentanyl, a short-acting synthetic opioid, has a pharmacokinetic profile suited to fast relief of brief episodic pain. ⋯ Intranasal fentanyl showed kinetic and dynamic properties that are desirable for the management of acute, episodic (breakthrough) pain.
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Case Reports
Propylene glycol-induced lactic acidosis in a patient receiving continuous infusion pentobarbital.
To report a case of probable propylene glycol (PG) toxicity in a patient receiving continuous infusion of pentobarbital for refractory status epilepticus. ⋯ PG toxicity is a potential complication associated with intravenous pentobarbital. Practitioners should be aware of the PG content of pentobarbital and should be familiar with the signs and symptoms associated with PG toxicity.
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To report on a probable association between sibutramine and QT interval prolongation leading to ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest. ⋯ Clinicians prescribing sibutramine should monitor their patients for ECG abnormalities and be cautious in coprescribing drugs known to prolong the QT interval.