The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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To report development of a seizure after administration of ropivacaine. ⋯ Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of seizures as an adverse effect of ropivacaine.
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Case Reports
Possible serotonin syndrome associated with clomipramine after withdrawal of clozapine.
To report on the possible development of serotonin syndrome in a patient receiving clomipramine after clozapine was withdrawn from the treatment regimen. ⋯ Clinicians should be aware that removing a serotonin-2a (S-HT2a) antagonist 1mm a treatment regimen including an agent that increases serotonin in the synaptic cleft may worsen clozapine withdrawal or potentially result in serious adverse drug reactions, such as serotonin syndrome.
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To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of zanamivir and oseltamivir for the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza. ⋯ Zanamivir and oseltamivir are more effective in preventing culture-positive influenza or for treatment of culture-positive influenza in febrile (> or = 37.8 degrees C) individuals. Treatment is more effective if initiated within 30 hours of symptom onset in febrile individuals; however, it is difficult to meet these criteria. More realistically, clinical efficacy is closer to 60-70% and, for treatment started within 48 hours for laboratory-confirmed influenza, symptom reduction is approximately 0.7-1.5 days. If used appropriately to minimize the development of resistance, the neuraminidase inhibitors represent a new and unique class of antiinfluenza agents that can potentially reduce the morbidity associated with influenza.
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To describe the role of opioid antagonists in the treatment of opioid-induced constipation and pruritus. ⋯ Opioid antagonists offer a therapeutic alternative to conventional adjuvant agents, with the risk of loss of analgesia at higher doses. Methylnaltrexone offers the advantage of peripheral action only, therefore not reversing analgesia. Results are promising; however, larger clinical trials are necessary before opioid antagonists become the standard of care for opioid-induced constipation and pruritus.
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To briefly discuss the pathophysiology of heart failure and the rationale for the use of beta-blockers in the treatment of chronic heart failure. Key morbidity reduction trials are briefly mentioned, and recent mortality reduction trials are reviewed. General recommendations regarding the use of beta-blockers in heart failure are also included to guide clinical practice. ⋯ Several beta-blockers have demonstrated mortality reduction in the treatment of patients with NYHA functional class II or III heart failure and systolic dysfunction. Beta-blockers should be considered in these patients when they are clinically stable and taking the current standard therapy of a diuretic plus an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or other vasodilator agent.