Drugs
-
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest arrhythmia. It presents in distinct patterns of paroxysmal, persistent and chronic AF, and patient management aims differ according to the pattern. In paroxysmal AF, drug treatment with beta-blockers, class Ic and class III agents reduce the frequency and duration of episodes. ⋯ There is some debate about the prognostic significance of AF. Certainly AF is associated with an excess mortality but this is largely accounted for by its association with serious intrinsic heart disease and the thrombo-embolic complications of the arrhythmia. Atrial fibrillation is a common default arrhythmia for the sick heart.
-
Allergy in patients with atopy is caused by clinical adverse reactions to environmental antigen, which is often associated with allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E production. Since allergy reflects an inappropriate immunological reaction, a therapeutic approach related to immunology is likely to actively alter the natural course of allergic disorders. Allergen immunotherapy, known at various times as desensitisation or hyposensitisation, is very recently defined by the World Health Organization as therapeutic vaccines for allergic diseases. ⋯ Although the changes in the absolute value of T(H)1 or T(H)2 cytokines appear quite variable, the increase in the ratio of T(H)1/T(H)2 cytokines is very consistent among published reports, especially in the late stage of treatment. Accumulating evidence indicates that appropriate immunotherapy prevents the onset of new sensitisation and prevents the progress of allergic rhinitis to asthma. Although the changes in B cell and T cell responses, especially IgG antibodies and T(H)1/T(H)2 cytokine production, may be the major mechanism underlying the clinical efficacy of allergen immunotherapy and the prevention of the development of allergic phenotypic changes, multiple mechanisms may be involved in the outcome of alteration of the natural course of allergic disorders.
-
Rofecoxib is a selective cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor which has little or no effect on the COX-1 isoenzyme at doses up to 1000 mg/day. Rofecoxib has greater selectivity for COX-2 than celecoxib, meloxicam, diclofenac and indomethacin. In well-controlled clinical trials, rofecoxib 12.5 to 500 mg/day has been evaluated for its efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis, acute pain and rheumatoid arthritis [lower dosages (5 to 125 mg/day) were generally used in the chronic pain indications]. ⋯ Initial data from patients with primary dysmenorrhoea and postoperative pain are promising and further trials may confirm its place in the treatment of these indications. Rofecoxib has also shown promising results in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and is likely to become a valuable addition to current drug therapy for this patient population. Importantly, rofecoxib is associated with a lower incidence of GI adverse events than traditional NSAIDs making it a primary treatment option in patients at risk of developing GI complications or patients with chronic conditions requiring long term treatment.
-
Oseltamivir is a prodrug of oseltamivir carboxylate (Ro 64-0802, GS4071), a potent and selective inhibitor of the neuraminidase glycoprotein essential for replication of influenza A and B viruses. Studies in volunteers with experimental human influenza A or B showed that administration of oral oseltamivir 20 to 200 mg twice daily for 5 days reduced both the quantity and duration of viral shedding compared with placebo. Subsequent assessment of the drug at a dosage of 75 mg twice daily for 5 days in otherwise healthy adults with naturally acquired febrile influenza showed that oseltamivir reduced the duration of the disease by up to 1.5 days and the severity of illness by up to 38% compared with placebo when initiated within 36 hours of symptom onset (earlier initiation of therapy was associated with faster resolution). The incidence of secondary complications and the use of antibacterials were also reduced significantly in oseltamivir recipients. A liquid formulation of oseltamivir (2 mg/kg twice daily for 5 days) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of children with influenza, and data presented in abstracts suggest that the drug may also be of use in high-risk populations such as the elderly or those with chronic cardiac or respiratory disease. In addition to treatment efficacy, the drug has demonstrated efficacy when used for seasonal or household prophylaxis. Oral oseltamivir (75 mg once or twice daily for 6 weeks) during a period of local influenza activity significantly prevented the development of naturally acquired influenza by >70% compared with placebo in unvaccinated otherwise healthy adults. The drug also demonstrated efficacy when used adjunctively in previously vaccinated high-risk elderly patients (92% protective efficacy). Short term administration of oseltamivir (75 mg once daily for 7 days) may significantly reduce the risk of illness in household contacts of infected persons when administered within 48 hours of symptom onset in the infected person. Oseltamivir 75 mg twice daily for 5 days was well tolerated in clinical trials in healthy adults and high-risk patients, with nausea and vomiting being the most commonly reported events. Gastrointestinal events were mild and transient and both nausea and vomiting were less likely when oseltamivir was taken with food. ⋯ Oseltamivir is a well tolerated orally active neuraminidase inhibitor which significantly reduces the duration of symptomatic illness and hastens the return to normal levels of activity when initiated promptly in patients with naturally acquired influenza. It therefore represents a useful therapeutic alternative to zanamivir (especially in patients who prefer oral administration or who have an underlying respiratory disorder) and the M2 inhibitors amantadine and rimantadine (because of its broader spectrum of anti-influenza activity and lower likelihood of resistance) in patients with influenza. In addition, although annual vaccination remains the best means of influenza prevention, there may be a place for oseltamivir in providing household prophylaxis or adjunctive prophylaxis in high-risk vaccinated patients during an outbreak of the disease or for use in patients in whom vaccination is unsuitable or ineffective.
-
Scalp psoriasis is a frequent expression of the common skin disease psoriasis, and scaling and itching are the two major complaints. Topical treatments are the mainstay of the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp, with the vehicle as well as the active ingredient relevant to efficacy, tolerability and compliance. Vehicles can be shampoos, lotions, gels, foams, creams and more greasy ointments. ⋯ When scaling is the more important clinical feature, vitamin D3 analogues are indicated. Generally, intermittently used topical corticosteroids alternating with vitamin D3 derivatives either combined or not with liquor carbonis detergens containing shampoo is the most suitable treatment for most patients. Because psoriasis capitis is a chronic disease, long term treatment should, in addition to medical advice, also provide patient support and motivation.