Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy
-
Expert Opin Pharmacother · Mar 2011
Review Meta AnalysisAntifibrinolytic therapy with tranexamic acid in pregnancy and postpartum.
The aim of this study is critically to review the available evidence regarding the use, efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in the management of hemorrhage during pregnancy and for prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. ⋯ The clinical studies suggest that tranexamic acid reduces the amount of blood loss after delivery during cesarean sections and vaginal deliveries, and reduces the requirement for blood transfusion. Tranexamic acid seems to be safe and effective in the prevention and management of bleeding during pregnancy. Further investigation and larger clinical trials with better design and methodological quality are required to confirm these findings.
-
Nonadherence is still a major problem in the long-term treatment of schizophrenia. Long-acting injectable or depot atypical antipsychotics are associated with better maintenance. Olanzapine pamoate, available since 2010, is the second depot atypical antipsychotic. ⋯ Olanzapine pamoate is an efficacious formulation, particularly for patients with a history of good response to oral olanzapine and doubtful adherence. Psychiatrists should reconsider their negative attitudes toward long-acting or depot antipsychotics and should offer this administration to the majority of patients, not only to a negatively selected population.
-
despite its central role in acute pain management, the exclusive use of opioids has been challenged recently in view of its immediate and long-term side effects. Development of chronic postsurgical pain syndromes, hyperalgesia and immunomodulation are some particular concerns as they may be related to opioid exposure, intertwined with patient characteristics and other factors. Application of a multimodal approach, administration of preventive analgesia and paradigm shift in surgical techniques all mandate a revisit of evidence-based perioperative pain management. ⋯ for acute pain management, adjuvant analgesics in appropriate doses and monitored care are beneficial in improving analgesic efficacy and reduce opioid-related side effects with good safety and tolerability. However, the quest for an optimal regime for administration and individualizing treatment remains.
-
Prostate cancer is a common cancer and the role of adjuvant medical therapy continues to be investigated. An understanding of the use of adjuvant medical therapy is essential for the appropriate care of prostate cancer patients, especially for those with locally advanced or high-risk disease. ⋯ There is a complex literature describing the role of adjuvant medical therapy in prostate cancer, which is reviewed here. Continuing and future clinical trials will define the utility of adjuvant therapy in this setting and require the support of the clinical community.
-
Expert Opin Pharmacother · Jan 2011
CommentDefining the optimal dose of aspirin and clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes. Evaluation of ‘Dose comparisons of clopidogrel and aspirin in acute coronary syndromes’, N Engl J Med 2010;363:930-42.
Platelet inhibition is integral to the contemporary management of acute coronary syndromes. While aspirin and clopidogrel are used almost universally in patients treated with an early invasive strategy, the optimal dosing strategy for these drugs remains unknown. In a large randomized trial, the OASIS-CURRENT 7, investigators demonstrated no benefit of a higher dose of aspirin. There was no overall benefit of a higher dose of clopidogrel, although in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention a double-dose strategy was associated with a reduction in stent thrombosis and other ischemic events at the cost of an increased risk of bleeding events.