Valproate triggers changes in placenta, researchers find
In a study looking at placentas from caesarean deliveries, valproic acid had a significant impact on mRNA levels of major carriers for essential compounds such as folic acid, glucose, choline, thyroid hormones and serotonin. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 29, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Antiepileptic drugs linked with increased risk of dementia, study concludes
Use of antiepileptic drugs is associated with an increased incidence of dementia in older adults, but it is unclear if this association is causal, say researchers. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 29, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Cannabidiol reduces seizure rate in rare form of epilepsy
Cannabidiol reduces the risk of drop seizures in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a rare, severe form of epilepsy, according to the results of a recent study (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 28, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Certain antipsychotics linked with increased risk of gestational diabetes
Women who continue taking olanzapine or quetiapine during pregnancy are more likely to develop gestational diabetes than those who discontinue atypical antipsychotic medication. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 28, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Strong evidence that HPV vaccination protects against cervical pre-cancer, review finds
There is strong evidence that vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) between the ages of 15 and 26 years protects against cervical pre-cancer in young women, concluded the authors of a recent Cochrane Review (9 May 2018). (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 27, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

New prescribing approach could reduce intravenous opioid exposure
A new standard of inpatient opioid prescribing preferring oral and subcutaneous administration may be associated with significant reductions in intravenous opioid exposure, results from a US study show. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 27, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Less is more: shorter trastuzumab treatment for HER2+ breast cancer is effective, cheaper and yields better adherence than standard therapy
Around 15 –20% of breast cancers show amplification (increased number of gene copies) or overexpression (increased production of protein) of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). These patients have highly proliferative tumours and decreased expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors, alongside positive axillary lymph nodes (to which cancer has spread). These patients are at high risk of cancer recurrence and death. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 27, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Type 2 diabetes drug aids weight loss, study finds
Patients given GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity lost weight compared with those treated with placebo. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 26, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Aspirin lowers risk of death in people with concomitant heart failure and diabetes
Aspirin reduces the risk of  all-cause death or hospitalisation for heart failure in patients with concomitant type 2 diabetes and heart failure but increases the risk of non-fatal heart attack or stroke. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 22, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

MDMA could enhance psychotherapy outcomes in people with PTSD
Research has shown ‘marked improvements’ in PTSD symptoms after MDMA use during psychotherapy. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 21, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Proton pump inhibitors linked to pneumonia risk beyond first year of use
Research into long-term proton pump inhibitor use among older adults has led to cautions over pneumonia risk. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 20, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

'Real-life' gait analysis can guide MS treatment, researchers say
Use of a body-worn sensor to track movements could help grade a person ’s severity of multiple sclerosis, guiding treatment, research has shown. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 19, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

7-day antibiotic course ‘non-inferior’ to 14 days for treatment of Gram-negative bacteraemia
Research has shown that shorter antibiotic courses are not inferior to longer courses for the treatment of Gram-negative bacteraemia. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 13, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Lung cancer: advances in management and therapy
An overview of traditional and emerging immunotherapy-based targets and treatments available for lung cancer, their side effects and the impact immune checkpoint inhibitors have had on the treatment of  non–small-cell lung cancer. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 7, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Academic recognition for research in pharmacy practice
Research in practice has traditionally been the Cinderella of academia. Many pharmacists conduct service evaluations and audits, but often the findings are not published. (Source: Clinical Pharmacist)
Source: Clinical Pharmacist - June 7, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research