RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine (Mosquirix ®): a profile of its use
AbstractRTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix®) is a vaccine against malaria caused byPlasmodium falciparum. In a phase 3 trial, RTS,S/AS01 showed vaccine efficacy against clinical malaria, severe malaria and malaria hospitalization, with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile, in children aged 6 weeks to 17 months; the vaccine efficacy was greater in children than in infants and waned over time. In another phase 3 trial, RTS,S/AS01 was noninferior to seasonal malaria chemoprevention in children. WHO recommends a 4-dose schedule of RTS,S/AS01 for the prevention ofP. falciparum malaria in children from 5 months of age living in r...
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - September 7, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Design and implementation of an online tool for managing the availability of high-cost perishable medicines
ConclusionsFarmastock allowed the Andalusian Public Health System to make substantial financial savings by not making new purchases of high-cost drugs available in other centers of this health network that were not being used. Therefore, this tool is a very efficient measure to contribute to the sustainability of the APHS and could be implemented in more hospitals soon. (Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives)
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - September 2, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Tisotumab vedotin-tftv in previously treated recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer: a profile of its use in the USA
AbstractTisotumab vedotin-tftv (TIVDAK®), a tissue factor-directed antibody-drug conjugate, is a valuable option for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer experiencing disease progression on or after chemotherapy in the USA. In a clinical trial in patients with previously treated recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, treatment with tisotumab vedotin-tftv intravenous infusion led to clinically meaningful and durable antitumor activity. The tolerability profile of tisotumab vedotin-tftv was manageable, with most adverse events being mild or moderate in severity. The most frequently ...
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - August 30, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Diagnose and treat paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis promptly to delay physical worsening and cognitive decline
AbstractA CNS demyelination event in a person aged ≤ 18 years could signify the initial clinical presentation of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic, neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative CNS disorder. The disease course of paediatric-onset MS (POMS) is typically more inflammatorily active than that of adult-onset MS, resulting in more frequ ent relapses but slower disability accumulation. Such early and frequent neuroinflammatory attacks can lead to impaired brain development and poor cognitive performance. Patients with POMS should be promptly diagnosed and treated with immunomodulators to delay physical worsenin...
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - August 29, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Consider fibromyalgia in older patients with chronic widespread pain
AbstractFibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition involving widespread pain and usually fatigue and/or sleep problems. It can significantly decrease patients ’ quality of life, and is often overlooked in older patients with other painful conditions. Education and exercise are key to FM management, with non-pharmacological options like cognitive behavioural therapy and physical therapy added as required. Pharmacological therapy should target depression, pain or sleep problems that persist despite other interventions. (Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives)
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - August 22, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Management of antipsychotic-induced constipation requires more attention
AbstractConstipation is a common adverse effect of antipsychotic therapy that remains understudied and underreported. Weekly constipation screening, continuous long-term monitoring, reducing the antipsychotic dose and switching to a different antipsychotic with less risk of constipation are useful preventive measures. Recommended options for the treatment of antipsychotic-induced constipation include lifestyle changes, behavioural therapy, laxatives and novel drugs (e.g. lubiprostone, prucalopride). Patients who are refractory to pharmacological treatment may be candidates for surgery. (Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives)
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - August 12, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Comparison of the knowledge and skill levels of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on the implementation of inhaler drug-delivery devices: a cross-sectional study in Şanlıurfa, Turkey
ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians complete most of the steps in the IDDD utilization, except for the Diskhaler ™, but they do not perform some of the critical steps required for effective treatment, and they do not have adequate knowledge on IDDD utilization. The level of knowledge and skill of the pharmacist technicians on the IDDD utilization is lower than that of the pharmacists. (Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives)
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - August 10, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
First reports of adverse drug reactions and drug interactions
(Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives)
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - August 6, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Treat psoriasis with traditional and novel topical therapies
AbstractThe mainstay topical treatments for psoriasis are corticosteroids and/or vitamin D analogues, with retinoids, calcineurin inhibitors, salicylic acid and other agents used for decades. These agents target abnormal cytokine activity and keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. New research areas include intracellular signalling pathways, with tapinarof being the first aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulator to gain approval. Other promising topical agents include additional AhR modulators, phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitors and janus kinase pathway inhibitors. (Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives)
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - August 5, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Paliperidone palmitate intramuscular 6-monthly formulation in schizophrenia: a profile of its use
AbstractThe 6-monthly formulation of intramuscular paliperidone palmitate [INVEGA HAFYERA™ (USA); BYANNLI® (EU)] represents a useful and convenient therapeutic option for patients with schizophrenia who have been adequately treated with or are clinically stable on the 1- or 3-monthly formulations of intramuscular paliperidone palmitate. As demonstrated in a randomized, double-blind, multicentre, phase 3 noninferiority trial, the efficacy of 6-monthly paliperidone palmitate is noninferior to that of 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate in terms of relapse rates in clinically stable patients. Both formulations were similarl...
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - July 26, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Cardiovascular side effects of non-SSRI antidepressants are of concern in high-risk patients
AbstractDepression is a major risk factor for negative health outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), and in high-risk populations such as the elderly. As selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have very few CVD risks, they are first line in the management of depression. However, alternatives are required in case of intolerance or lack of efficacy. Non-SSRI antidepressants such as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and atypical monoaminergic antidepressants are options, but carry cardiovascular adverse effects (e.g. changes in blood pressure, heart rate or electrocardiogram parameters...
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - July 23, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Educate and treat to eliminate gout flares in elderly patients
AbstractGout flares, caused by monosodium urate crystals in joints, are debilitating and linked to poor health outcomes. Gout prevalence increases with age, but effective treatment is available even in those with associated renal, cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities. Treatment includes immediate pain relief with low-dose colchicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or oral/parenteral corticosteroids; with parenteral corticosteroids useful in older patients. Lifelong urate-lowering therapy and patient education, are typically recommended to reduce the risk of recurring gout flares. (Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives)
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - July 21, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Aim to prevent acne-induced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as treatment remains a challenge
AbstractAcne-induced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a common complication of acne vulgaris in patients with darker skin and can be a cause of considerable distress. Treatment options for acne-induced PIH include topical treatments (currently the gold standard) and adjuvant procedural therapies such as chemical peels and energy-based devices. With all treatments, care needs to be taken to avoid worsening PIH. A primary strategy should be the prevention of acne-induced PIH through the effective treatment of inflammatory acne. In addition, the importance of photoprotection in preventing the worsening of PIH shou...
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - July 20, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Anifrolumab in systemic lupus erythematosus: a profile of its use
AbstractAnifrolumab (Saphnelo ™), an intravenously administered immunoglobulin G1 kappa monoclonal antibody targeting the type 1 interferon alpha receptor, is effective and generally well tolerated as an add-on to standard therapy in adults with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Anifrolumab reduces overall disease activity in patients with moderate to severe SLE despite receiving stable standard-of-care treatment, based on the totality of evidence from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b and 3 clinical trials. Anifrolumab also has corticosteroid-sparing effects and reduces skin dis...
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - July 13, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Setmelanotide in obesity: a profile of its use
AbstractSubcutaneous setmelanotide (IMCIVREE®), a melanocortin-4 receptor agonist, meets a previously unmet need and thus represents an important advancement in the management of patients with pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1) or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency obesity. Setmelanotide is the first approved treatment in patients aged ≥ 6 years with these conditions. In two single-arm, open-label, multicentre, phase III trials, subcutaneous setmelanotide was effective in reducing body weight by at least 10% from baseline after approximately 1 year of treatment at individu...
Source: Drugs and Therapy Perspectives - July 9, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
