The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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To evaluate the efficacy and safety of administering vancomycin as a continuous infusion. ⋯ Overall, currently available evidence is insufficient to conclude whether an improvement in vancomycin efficacy exists when it is administered as a continuous infusion. The risk of nephrotoxicity associated with continuous-infusion vancomycin requires further investigation in prospective randomized trials. Specific patient populations that would benefit from continuous-infusion vancomycin have yet to be determined.
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Administration of scheduled antipsychotic therapy to mechanically ventilated patients to prevent or treat delirium is common, despite the lack of evidence to support its use. Among long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV), the frequency of scheduled antipsychotic therapy use, and the factors and outcomes associated with it, have not been described. ⋯ Among LTACH patients requiring PMV, scheduled antipsychotic therapy is used frequently and is associated with a greater incidence of psychiatric evaluation, delirium, as-needed psychotic use, and sitter use. Although scheduled antipsychotic therapy-related adverse effects are uncommon, these effects are infrequently monitored.
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Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are a common cause of nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTIs) among hospitalized patients. Clinicians need to differentiate between VRE-associated urinary colonization, asymptomatic bacteriuria, and UTIs to determine the need for treatment and length of therapy. ⋯ Improved education is needed to minimize cases of overtreatment and undertreatment of VRE-associated UTIs and decrease inappropriate drug-related costs and clinical failure rates. Risk factors for clinical failure can be used to risk stratify VRE-associated UTIs and further guide treatment decisions.
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To summarize and review current medical literature regarding the efficacy and safety of antithrombotic therapy for primary venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in various ambulatory cancer populations. ⋯ Use of antithrombotic agents has reduced the rate of primary VTE, with minimal increases in bleeding risk in specific ambulatory cancer populations. Further investigation is needed to guide and narrow recommendations for primary VTE prophylaxis in ambulatory cancer patients.
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Review Comparative Study
Carfilzomib: a second-generation proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.
To review and summarize data on carfilzomib, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2012 for the treatment of patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM) who received prior bortezomib and thalidomide or lenalidomide. ⋯ Carfilzomib is a safe and effective new treatment option for patients with relapsed MM refractory to bortezomib and thalidomide or lenalidomide. Randomized head-to-head trials with bortezomib will assist in formulary and treatment decisions in the context of PIs as a drug class.