Drugs
-
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), also termed cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, is a clinicopathological syndrome characterised by cough, exertional dyspneoa, basilar crackles, a restrictive defect on pulmonary function tests, honeycombing on high-resolution, thin-section computed tomographic scans and the histological diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia on lung biopsy. The course is usually indolent but inexorable. Most patients die of progressive respiratory failure within 3-8 years of the onset of symptoms. ⋯ Several clinical trials are currently underway or in the planning stages, and include drugs such as interferon-gamma 1b, pirfenidone, acetylcysteine, etanercept (a tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonist), bosentan (an endothelin-1 receptor antagonist) and zileuton (a 5-lypoxygenase inhibitor). Future therapeutic strategies should be focused on alveolar epithelial cells aimed at enhancing re-epithelialisation and on fibroblastic/myofibroblastic foci, which play an essential role in the development of IPF. Stem cell progenitors of the alveolar epithelial cells and genetic and epigenetic therapies are attractive future approaches for this and other fibrotic lung disorders.
-
Current antithrombotic therapies are associated with various practical limitations and risks that restrict their utility in the management of venous thromboembolism. The coagulation factor, thrombin, has been the focus of extensive investigation as a pharmacological target in efforts to improve the management of venous thromboembolism. Hirudin, desirudin, bivalirudin and argatroban are direct thrombin inhibitors that have been launched for limited indications as anticoagulants. ⋯ Clinical studies have shown that melagatran/ximelagatran, without coagulation monitoring, is effective and well tolerated for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after hip replacement and knee replacement surgery. Ximelagatran is also effective in the acute treatment of venous thromboembolism and long-term secondary prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism, the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and in the prevention of cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction. Oral direct thrombin inhibitors have a promising role in the management of venous thromboembolism and other associated medical conditions.
-
Candida species have become predominant pathogens in critically ill patients. In this population, invasive candidiasis is associated with a poor prognosis but adequate management can limit the attributable mortality. Adequate management, however, is hampered by a problematic diagnosis as the clinical picture of invasive disease is non-specific and blood cultures have a low sensitivity. ⋯ It is recommended in the presence of clinical signs of infection, deteriorating clinical parameters, or a clinical picture of infection not responding to antibacterials but in the absence of a clear causative pathogen. Definitive antifungal therapy is defined as therapy in patients with documented invasive infection. The main goal is to maintain a balance between optimal prevention and timely initiation of therapy on one hand, and to minimise selection pressure in order to avoid a shift towards less susceptible Candida species on the other hand.
-
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and nonstimulant that has shown greater efficacy than placebo in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. In two large, well controlled, 10-week trials in adults with ADHD, improvements in ADHD symptoms, as assessed by investigator- and patient-rated scores, were greater with oral atomoxetine (60, 90 or 120 mg/day) than with placebo. Mean reductions in the total ADHD symptom score on the investigator-rated Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) in atomoxetine versus placebo recipients were 28.3% versus 18.1% and 30.1% versus 19.6%, respectively. Mean reductions in the scores on the Clinician Global Impression of Severity Scale, patient-rated CAARS and Wender-Reimherr Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Scale were also significantly greater with atomoxetine than with placebo. Continued efficacy was demonstrated in a noncomparative, 34-week extension phase. Atomoxetine was generally well tolerated in clinical trials; withdrawal rates due to adverse events in atomoxetine-treated versus placebo-treated patients participating in the two major trials were 7.8% versus 4.3% and 9.3% versus 2.4% (p<0.05 for the latter trial). Adverse events reported significantly more frequently with atomoxetine than placebo included dry mouth, insomnia, nausea, decreased appetite, constipation, dizziness, sweating, dysuria, sexual problems and palpitations. Modest increases in heart rate and blood pressure were well tolerated and gradually decreased on cessation of treatment. Atomoxetine was not associated with QT interval prolongation. Atomoxetine can be administered once or twice daily. Its subjective-effects profile is different to that of methylphenidate and atomoxetine is not associated with abuse or diversion; it is therefore not a controlled substance in the US. This also means repeat prescriptions during long-term treatment can be more conveniently processed. ⋯ Atomoxetine is an effective and generally well tolerated treatment for adults with ADHD. It is a nonstimulant and is the first ADHD treatment to be approved specifically for adult use based on its efficacy in well controlled adult trials. It can be administered as a single daily dose or split into two evenly divided doses. It carries negligible risk of abuse or diversion and is not a controlled substance. Atomoxetine is a valuable new treatment option for adults with ADHD and is particularly useful in patients who are at risk for substance abuse or who do not wish to take a controlled substance.
-
Review
Aprepitant: a review of its use in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Aprepitant (Emend) is the first commercially available drug from a new class of agents, the neurokinin NK(1) receptor antagonists. Oral aprepitant, in combination with other agents, is indicated for the prevention of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) associated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy in adults. In three randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials comparing aprepitant (125 mg day 1, 80mg once daily on days 2 and 3 or 2-5) plus standard therapy (intravenous ondansetron and oral dexamethasone) with standard therapy plus placebo, overall complete responses (primary endpoint, defined as no emesis and no rescue therapy) were seen in significantly more patients in the aprepitant arms (63-73% versus 43-52%, p < 0.01 for all comparisons). ⋯ In conclusion, when added to standard therapy (a serotonin 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist and a corticosteroid), aprepitant is effective and generally well tolerated in the prevention of CINV associated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy in adults. Despite marked advances in the prevention of CINV, standard therapy does not protect all patients. The addition of aprepitant to standard therapy provides an advance in the prevention of both acute and delayed CINV in adults with cancer.