Severe prolonged neutropenia following administration of tocilizumab in a patient affected by COVID-19: a case report and brief review of the literature
AbstractTocilizumab is one of the newest therapeutic options for the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by the recently discovered severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) β-coronavirus. Several trials are currently ongoing to assess the efficacy and safety profile of tocilizumab in treating ARDS. In this article, we present the case of a Black patient with acute pneumonia who benefited greatly from tocilizumab, but developed severe prolonged neutropenia. Considering the increasing use of tocilizumab among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), this case warrants further rese...
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - September 13, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Lemborexant in insomnia disorder: a profile of its use
AbstractLemborexant (Dayvigo ™), a dual orexin receptor antagonist, is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for adults with insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance. In phase 3 clinical trials, oral lemborexant 5 or 10 mg once nightly significantly reduced sleep onset late ncy (SOL) and wake-after-sleep onset (WASO), and improved sleep efficiency (SE). Lemborexant was also associated with reductions in patient-reported fatigue and insomnia severity, and was well tolerated through 12 months of treatment. In special safety studies, lemborexant did not increase the audi...
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - September 4, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
The COVID-19 pandemic threatens the Expanded Program on Immunization: recommendations for sustaining vaccination goals
(Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives)
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - September 4, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Choose treatment for restless legs syndrome based on patient and drug characteristics
AbstractRestless legs syndrome (RLS; also known as Willis-Ekbom disease) is a common neurological, sensorimotor disorder. RLS is initially managed with lifestyle modifications, elimination of possible iatrogenic contributors and maintenance of normal-high peripheral iron stores. Moderate-to-severe RLS may be treated with pharmacological therapy, which generally involves the use of α-2-δ ligands (e.g. gabapentin enacarbil, pregabalin, gabapentin) and dopamine agonists (e.g. pramipexole, rotigotine, ropinirole), as well as opioids for treatment-resistant RLS. The chosen drug class/specific drug depends on patient factors (...
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - September 2, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Methadone is an option to treat cancer pain in carefully selected patients
AbstractMethadone ’s pharmacological properties and its numerous routes of administration can make it a useful analgesic option in adults and children with cancer pain. However, careful patient selection and monitoring is needed, especially if methadone is co-administered with agents that induce or inhibit hepatic CYP enzymes, and/or prolong the QTc interval. Prescribing methadone in either opioid-naïve, especially elderly, patients or those switching from other opiates requires a conservative approach to dosage. (Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives)
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - September 1, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
