The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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To describe a case of QT interval prolongation, syncope, and delirium associated with galantamine use and to analyze similar cases related to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChIs) reported to the Australian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee (ADRAC). ⋯ Administration of galantamine and other AChIs requires vigilance and assessment of risk factors that may precipitate QT interval prolongation, syncope, and delirium.
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Peer reviewed publications are the primary source of important new information. This editorial provides tips for writing various sections of research papers, review articles, and case reports. Additional topics discussed include making decisions about authorship, selecting a journal for submission of an article, understanding the peer review process and expectations of editors and reviewers, and revising the article. Successful authors combine appropriate knowledge and experience, personal attributes, and effective collaborations to produce insightful and important contributions to the literature.
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Adverse drug events (ADEs) occur in older adults. ADEs occur in up to 6.5% of all hospitalized patients and outpatients, and about 28% of these events are preventable. The proportion of outpatients with an ADE ranges from 5% to 35%, depending on the exact definition used. There is a critical need to examine the risk factors associated with having an ADE to increase awareness about medication safety among older adults. ⋯ The number of pharmacies, concern beliefs about medicines, and number of symptoms experienced in the past month were associated with self-reported ADEs. Discussing patients' beliefs about their drug therapy with them is likely to affect their expectations and interpretation of symptoms, as well as future attributions regarding drug therapy.
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To review the efficacy of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in men. ⋯ PDE-5 inhibitors consistently produced modest reductions in lower urinary tract symptoms. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the efficacy, cost effectiveness, safety, and appropriate place in therapy of PDE-5 inhibitors. At this time, data are insufficient to routinely recommend chronic use of PDE-5 inhibitors for lower urinary tract symptoms in men.
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Little is known about longitudinal changes in drug utilization in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ⋯ ADHD drug utilization continues to increase due to steady increases in diagnosis and chronic use of the drugs over several years. While racial, ethnic, and sex differences persist, the age distribution of drug users has shifted toward older children. These findings emphasize the need for studies that analyze determinants of treatment as well as outcomes, both benefits and risks, associated with long-term medication use.