Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · Nov 2009
ReviewTapentadol immediate release for the relief of moderate-to-severe acute pain.
Tapentadol is a novel, centrally acting analgesic with two mechanisms of action: micro-opioid receptor agonism and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition. It has demonstrated broad analgesic efficacy across multiple pain models. ⋯ However, at doses providing comparable analgesic efficacy, tapentadol IR has been associated with significantly lower incidences of nausea and/or vomiting and constipation, and a significantly lower rate of treatment discontinuation compared with oxycodone IR. The observed efficacy across different pain models and favorable gastrointestinal tolerability profile associated with tapentadol IR indicate that this novel analgesic is an attractive treatment option for the relief of moderate-to-severe acute pain.
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · Nov 2009
ReviewTherapy of community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis: the clock is running.
Despite antibiotic therapy and supportive intensive medical care, bacterial meningitis remains a disease with high mortality and morbidity. Rapid recognition of symptoms is crucial to direct physicians quickly towards appropriate diagnostic measures and, initially, empiric antibiotic therapy. ⋯ Here, we review the clinical and laboratory presentation of community-acquired bacterial meningitis and the antibiotic regiments that are currently recommended for its treatment; future therapeutic options are also discussed. Finally, suggestions for the approach to a patient with suspected bacterial meningitis are presented.