The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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Comparative Study
Evaluating the delivery of nebulized and metered-dose inhalers in an in vitro infant ventilator lung model.
To evaluate drug delivery to the lungs of nebulized and metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) in an in vitro infant lung model. ⋯ Albuterol MDI provides a more efficient delivery of drug to the lung as compared with nebulized albuterol and MDI beclomethasone diproprionate.
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To discuss the clinical pharmacology of the antiarrhythmic drug ibutilide in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFl). ⋯ Ibutilide appears to be an effective alternative method for rapid conversion of recent-onset AF or AFl. The drug may be particularly useful in patients who have undergone recent cardiac surgery or those who are not ideal candidates for DCC. Although studies suggest that the risk of proarrhythmia and in particular torsade de pointes is relatively low, caution is advised until additional experience is gained in clinical practice.
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Comparative Study
Treatment of Medicaid patients with asthma: comparison with treatment guidelines using disease-based drug utilization review methodology.
To compare asthma drug therapy in the Iowa Medicaid population with international treatment guideline recommendations and relate differences to patient outcomes. ⋯ Suboptimal asthma treatment in the Iowa Medicaid population, especially in regard to the use of inhaled corticosteroids as preventive therapy, was evident after comparison with treatment guidelines. Increased daily use of inhaled corticosteroids was associated with positive patient outcomes in accordance with guideline recommendations. Educational efforts to improve closer adherence to international guidelines both in prescribing practices and patient compliance with medication for asthma management should be undertaken.
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The Drug Programs Information Network (DPIN), Manitoba's (Canada) new electronic prescription database, is a valuable data source for pharmacoepidemiologic research. Pharmacies are required to submit to the DPIN all prescriptions for Pharmacare, the province's drug insurance plan, but submission of prescriptions for social assistance recipients and treaty status Indians is discretionary. ⋯ This study established that the DPIN is a valid and reliable data source for studying prescription use among the majority of Manitoban residents. However, the DPIN database has differential validity and underrepresents prescriptions dispensed for the aboriginal population.