American journal of therapeutics
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Azacitidine is a pyrimidine nucleoside analog licensed for treatment of adult patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. Azacitidine acts as an inducer of cell differentiation by causing demethylation and re-expression of genes silenced by hypermethylation. We report a 56-year-old man with myelodysplastic syndrome who developed interstitial lung disease after azacitidine therapy. ⋯ Interstitial lung disease is a serious but uncommon side effect of this relatively safe drug. The mechanism underlying this is still unclear. The patient was subsequently treated with decitabine with no recurrence of interstitial lung disease.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A double-blind controlled trial of a single dose naproxen and an amino acid medical food theramine for the treatment of low back pain.
To study the safety and efficacy of a new medical food (Theramine) in the treatment of low back pain, we performed a 28-day double-blind randomized controlled trial in 129 patients. Back pain was present for at least 6 weeks and was not mild. Patients were randomly assigned to receive medical food alone (n = 43), naproxen alone (250 mg/d, n = 42), or both medical food and naproxen (n = 44). ⋯ The naproxen-alone group showed significant elevations in CRP, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase when compared with the other groups. Medical food alone or with naproxen showed no significant change in liver function tests or CRP, with medical food potentially mitigating the effects seen with naproxen alone. The medical food (Theramine) appeared to be effective in relieving back pain without causing any significant side effects and may provide a safe alternative to presently available therapies.
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As the number of patients aged 65 years and older increases, joint replacement has become a frequent procedure after progressive osteoarthritis or fractures. Although hip and knee arthroplasty has become a relatively commonplace procedure in this age-group, the advanced age in patients undergoing these procedures often is associated with comorbidities and potential complications that can present challenges and limit analgesic choices. ⋯ Across the studies, safety and efficacy were well documented in the elderly subpopulation and were comparable with the subpopulation younger than 65 years. A review of the literature similarly demonstrates the efficacy and safety of IV acetaminophen used for postoperative analgesia after joint replacement.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Use of heptaminol hydrochloride for catecholamine weaning in septic shock.
We analyze in the current study the impact of heptaminol hydrochloride (Heptamyl) administration in patients with septic shock requiring adrenergic support on the duration of vasopressor infusion and on catecholamine delay weaning. In this prospective study were included 49 nonconsecutive patients with septic shock requiring vasopressor infusion and with stable hemodynamic parameters during more than 24 hours. All these patients were included in a random way to receive or not heptaminol hydrochloride. ⋯ By comparing the two groups, we found that the delay of catecholamine weaning was significantly faster for the dopamine (P = 0.008) and noradrenalin (P = 0.001) in the Heptamyl group. Finally, the intensive care unit mortality rate and the hospital mortality rate were significantly lower in the Heptamyl group. Our study shows a reduction in norepinephrine and dopamine weaning duration in septic patients enrolled in the heptaminol hydrochloride group.
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Patients rank postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the top five most undesirable outcomes of surgery. Thirty percent of all surgical patients experience PONV. We conducted an economic study to determine the financial implications of providing surgical patients with PONV prophylaxis to increase patient satisfaction and minimize postoperative complications. ⋯ The average hospital cost and charge per antiemetic drug dose was $0.304 and $3.66, respectively. Using these figures, we determined that our hospital's net profit increases linearly with increased PONV prophylaxis administration. Our economic analysis shows that PONV prophylaxis is economically beneficial for the hospital when weighed against the expenses generated by treating patients returning to the hospital with PONV.