American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jan 2015
ReviewTrametinib: a novel signal transduction inhibitor for the treatment of metastatic cutaneous melanoma.
The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety, administration, cost, and place in therapy of trametinib for the treatment of metastatic melanoma are reviewed. ⋯ Trametinib, a novel MEK inhibitor, provides an alternative therapy for patients with BRAF V600 E/K metastatic melanoma as a single agent or in combination therapy for patients not previously treated with a BRAF inhibitor. More studies are needed to determine the safe and effective combination or sequencing of trametinib with other therapies.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jan 2015
Comparative StudyComparison of free fraction serum valproic acid concentrations between inpatients and outpatients.
The differences in free fraction serum valproic acid concentrations between inpatients and outpatients were compared, and factors associated with therapeutic discordance were evaluated. ⋯ The median free fraction of valproic acid was significantly higher in inpatients than in outpatients. Low albumin concentration was a predictor of discordance between free and total valproic acid concentrations.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jan 2015
ReviewOral disease-modifying therapies for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
The efficacy and safety of the three oral agents approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) are reviewed. ⋯ With the approval of three oral drugs for RRMS-fingolimod, teriflunomide, and dimethyl fumarate-the therapeutic strategy for RRMS has evolved to include options that are efficacious and appear to have administration advantages over established parenteral treatments.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jan 2015
Pharmacist input into statewide treatment protocols for emergency medical services.
A pharmacist's role in helping Vermont health officials standardize pharmacotherapy-related protocols used by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel across the state is described. ⋯ An EM pharmacist participated in the review and development of statewide EMS treatment protocols that focused on choice of medication therapy, dosage, administration, and identification and minimization of potential risks of medication errors.
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The results of a study of Twitter use by attendees of the 2013 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting (MCM) and other interested parties are presented. ⋯ The majority of MCM-related tweets by onsite and remote Twitter users were social in nature or pertained to educational sessions held over the course of the conference.