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 · Jul 2014
ReviewLinaclotide: a novel agent for chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
The pharmacology, pharmaco-kinetics, and clinical efficacy and safety of linaclotide in the management of chronic constipation (CC) and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) are reviewed. ⋯ Linaclotide is an important advance in the treatment of CC and IBS-C, with a novel mechanism of action resulting in accelerated intestinal transit. In clinical trials, linaclotide demonstrated efficacy relative to placebo for treatment of both CC and IBS-C. Linaclotide's adverse effects are generally mild and confined to the gastrointestinal tract.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jun 2014
Evaluation of dedicated infectious diseases pharmacists on antimicrobial stewardship teams.
Patient care improvements and cost savings achieved by a large integrated health system through the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) at two hospitals are reported. ⋯ After implementation of ASPs at two study sites, the utilization of all classes of antibiotics decreased and antimicrobial costs per 1000 patient-days decreased. While HSMR values for sepsis (including C. difficile-associated cases) and respiratory infections improved, the rate of C. difficile infections stayed the same.