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The Indian Journal of Medical Research Feb 2024Irrational prescribing practices have major consequences on patient safety and also increase the economic burden. Real-life examples of impact of irrational prescription... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES
Irrational prescribing practices have major consequences on patient safety and also increase the economic burden. Real-life examples of impact of irrational prescription have potential to improve prescribing practices. In this context, the present study aimed to capture and evaluate the prevalence of deviations from treatment guidelines in the prescriptions, potential consequence/s of the deviations and corrective actions recommended by clinicians.
METHODS
It was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in the outpatient departments of tertiary care hospitals in India wherein the 13 Indian Council of Medical Research Rational Use of Medicines Centres are located. Prescriptions not compliant with the standard treatment guidelines and incomplete prescriptions with respect to formulation, dose, duration and frequency were labelled as 'prescriptions having deviations'. A deviation that could result in a drug interaction, lack of response, increased cost, preventable adverse drug reaction (ADR) and/or antimicrobial resistance was labelled as an 'unacceptable deviation'.
RESULTS
Against all the prescriptions assessed, about one tenth of them (475/4838; 9.8%) had unacceptable deviations. However, in 2667/4838 (55.1%) prescriptions, the clinicians had adhered to the treatment guidelines. Two thousand one hundred and seventy-one prescriptions had deviations, of which 475 (21.9%) had unacceptable deviations with pantoprazole (n=54), rabeprazole+domperidone (n=35) and oral enzyme preparations (n=24) as the most frequently prescribed drugs and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and hypertension as most common diseases with unacceptable deviations. The potential consequences of deviations were increase in cost (n=301), ADRs (n=254), drug interactions (n=81), lack of therapeutic response (n=77) and antimicrobial resistance (n=72). Major corrective actions proposed for consideration were issuance of an administrative order (n=196) and conducting online training programme (n=108).
INTERPRETATION CONCLUSIONS
The overall prevalence of deviations found was 45 per cent of which unacceptable deviations was estimated to be 9.8 per cent. To minimize the deviations, clinicians recommended online training on rational prescribing and administrative directives as potential interventions.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Tertiary Care Centers; Prescriptions; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; India; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Prescriptions
PubMed: 38528817
DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_2309_22 -
International Breastfeeding Journal Mar 2024We present a case of non-puerperal induced lactation in transgender woman. Medical literature on lactation induction for transgender women is scarce, and the majority of...
BACKGROUND
We present a case of non-puerperal induced lactation in transgender woman. Medical literature on lactation induction for transgender women is scarce, and the majority of literature and protocols on lactation induction is based on research in cisgender women. Healthcare professionals may lack the precise knowledge about lactation induction and may therefore feel insecure when advice is requested. Subsequently, there is a rising demand for guidelines and support.
METHODS
Patient medical record was consulted and a semi-structured interview was conducted to explore the motive for lactation induction, the experience of lactation induction, and to gather additional information about the timeline and course of events.
CASE PRESENTATION
In this case a 37-year-old transgender woman, who was under the care of the centre of expertise on gender dysphoria in Amsterdam, and in 2020 started lactation induction because she had the wish to breastfeed her future infant. She was in a relationship with a cisgender woman and had been using gender affirming hormone therapy for 13 years. Prior to initiating gender affirming hormone therapy she had cryopreserved her semen. Her partner conceived through Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, using our patient's cryopreserved sperm. To induce lactation, we implemented a hormone-regimen to mimic pregnancy, using estradiol and progesterone, and a galactogogue; domperidone. Our patient started pumping during treatment. Dosage of progesterone and estradiol were significantly decreased approximately one month before childbirth to mimic delivery and pumping was increased. Our patient started lactating and although the production of milk was low, it was sufficient for supplementary feeding and a positive experience for our patient. Two weeks after birth, lactation induction was discontinued due to suckling problems of the infant and low milk production.
CONCLUSIONS
This case report underlined that lactation induction protocols commonly used for cisgender women are also effective in transgender women. However, the amount of milk produced may not be sufficient for exclusive nursing. Nevertheless, success of induced lactation may be attributed to its importance for parent-infant bonding, rather than the possibility of exclusive chestfeeding.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Breast Feeding; Estradiol; Lactation; Progesterone; Semen; Transgender Persons
PubMed: 38462609
DOI: 10.1186/s13006-024-00624-1 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024The present study was designed to evaluate the antiemetic activity of abietic acid (AA) using in vivo and in silico studies. To assess the effect, doses of 50 mg/kg...
The present study was designed to evaluate the antiemetic activity of abietic acid (AA) using in vivo and in silico studies. To assess the effect, doses of 50 mg/kg b.w. copper sulfate (CuSO⋅5HO) were given orally to 2-day-old chicks. The test compound (AA) was given orally at two doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg b.w. On the other hand, aprepitant (16 mg/kg), domperidone (6 mg/kg), diphenhydramine (10 mg/kg), hyoscine (21 mg/kg), and ondansetron (5 mg/kg) were administered orally as positive controls (PCs). The vehicle was used as a control group. Combination therapies with the referral drugs were also given to three separate groups of animals to see the synergistic and antagonizing activity of the test compound. Molecular docking and visualization of ligand-receptor interaction were performed using different computational tools against various emesis-inducing receptors (D, D, 5HT, H, and M-M). Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics and toxicity properties of the selected ligands were predicted by using the SwissADME and Protox-II online servers. Findings indicated that AA dose-dependently enhances the latency of emetic retching and reduces the number of retching compared to the vehicle group. Among the different treatments, animals treated with AA (40 mg/kg) exhibited the highest latency (98 ± 2.44 s) and reduced the number of retching (11.66 ± 2.52 times) compared to the control groups. Additionally, the molecular docking study indicated that AA exhibits the highest binding affinity (- 10.2 kcal/mol) toward the M receptors and an elevated binding affinity toward the receptors 5HT (- 8.1 kcal/mol), M (- 7.7 kcal/mol), M (- 8.7 kcal/mol), and H (- 8.5 kcal/mol) than the referral ligands. Taken together, our study suggests that AA has potent antiemetic effects by interacting with the 5TH and muscarinic receptor interaction pathways. However, additional extensive pre-clinical and clinical studies are required to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of AA.
Topics: Animals; Antiemetics; Molecular Docking Simulation; Ondansetron; Vomiting; Receptors, Muscarinic; Abietanes
PubMed: 38503897
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57173-0 -
Cureus May 2024Introduction Cancer chemotherapy regimens include multiple classes of adjuvant drugs as supportive therapy. Because of the concurrent intake of other drugs (like...
Prevalence, Attributes, and Risk Factors of QT-Interval-Prolonging Drugs and Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Cancer Patients: A Prospective Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital.
Introduction Cancer chemotherapy regimens include multiple classes of adjuvant drugs as supportive therapy. Because of the concurrent intake of other drugs (like antiemetics, antidepressants, analgesics, and antimicrobials), there is a heightened risk for possible QT interval prolongation. There is a dearth of evidence in the literature regarding the usage of QT-prolonging anticancer drugs and associated risk factors that have the propensity to prolong QT interval. The purpose was to explore the extent of the use of QT-interval-prolonging drugs and potential QT-prolonging drug-drug interactions (QT-DDIs) in cancer patients attending OPD in a tertiary-care hospital. Methods This was a hospital-based, cross-sectional, observational study. Risk stratification of QT-prolonging drugs for torsades de pointes (TdP) was done by the Arizona Center for Education and Research on Therapeutics (AzCERT)/CredibleMeds-lists, and potential QT-DDIs were determined with four online DDI-checker-software. Results In 1331 cancer patients, the overall prevalence of potential QT-prolonging drug utilization was 97.3%. Ondansetron, pantoprazole, domperidone, and olanzapine were the most frequent QT-prolonging drugs in cancer patients. The top six antineoplastics with potential QT-prolonging and torsadogenic actions were capecitabine, oxaliplatin, imatinib, bortezomib, 5-fluorouracil, and bendamustine. Evidence-based pragmatic QTc interval prolongation risk assessment tools are imperative for cancer patients. Conclusion This study revealed a high prevalence of QT-prolonging drugs and QT-DDIs among cancer patients who are treated with anticancer and non-anticancer drugs. As a result, it's critical to take precautions, stay vigilant, and avoid QT-prolonging in clinical situations. Evidence-based pragmatic QTc interval prolongation risk assessment tools are needed for cancer patients.
PubMed: 38882995
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60492 -
Current Drug Delivery 2024The domperidone maleate, a lipophilic agent classified as a Biopharmaceutical Classification System Class II substance with weak water solubility. Self- Emulsifying Drug...
BACKGROUND
The domperidone maleate, a lipophilic agent classified as a Biopharmaceutical Classification System Class II substance with weak water solubility. Self- Emulsifying Drug Delivery System is a novel approach to improve water solubility and, ultimately bioavailability of drugs.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to develop and characterize new domperidone-loaded self-emulsifying drug delivery systems as an alternative formulation and to evaluate the permeability of domperidone-loaded self-emulsifying drug delivery systems by using Caco-2 cells and single-pass intestinal perfusion method.
METHODS
Three self-emulsifying drug delivery systems were prepared and characterized in terms of pH, viscosity, droplet size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, conductivity, . Each formulation underwent 10, 100, 200, and 500 times dilution in intestinal buffer pH 6.8 and stomach buffer pH 1.2, respectively. Female Sprague Dawley rats were employed for single-pass intestinal perfusion investigations.
RESULTS
Results of the study revealed that the ideal self-emulsifying drug delivery systems formulation showed narrow droplet size, ideal zeta potential, and no conductivity. Additionally, as compared to the control groups, the optimum formulation had better apparent permeability (12.74 ± 0.02×10-4) from Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability experiments. The study also revealed greater Peff values (2.122 ± 0.892×10-4 cm/s) for the optimal formulation from intestinal perfusion analyses in comparison to control groups (Domperidone; 0.802 ± 0.418×10-4 cm/s).
CONCLUSION
To conclude, prepared formulations can be a promising way of oral administration of Biopharmaceutical Classification System Class II drugs.
Topics: Caco-2 Cells; Animals; Humans; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Domperidone; Biological Availability; Permeability; Female; Rats; Administration, Oral; Intestinal Absorption; Emulsions; Drug Delivery Systems; Solubility; Particle Size; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestinal Barrier Function
PubMed: 36786136
DOI: 10.2174/1567201820666230214091509 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2024We present an exceptional case of a 53-year-old female, initially misdiagnosed with fulminant myocarditis, but later correctly diagnosed with pheochromocytoma. The...
We present an exceptional case of a 53-year-old female, initially misdiagnosed with fulminant myocarditis, but later correctly diagnosed with pheochromocytoma. The presentation of the patient included a spectrum of symptoms such as headache, chest discomfort, palpitations, and dyspnea, following the intake of Domperidone. Two weeks prior to admission, the patient had experienced episodes of diarrhea and a low-grade fever. Unresolved symptoms and an unmanageable surge in blood pressure despite comprehensive fulminant myocarditis treatment prompted further investigation. The discovery of an adrenal mass via a CT scan and subsequent biochemical tests led to the confirmation of pheochromocytoma. Implementation of alpha-blockade therapy and a successful laparoscopic adrenalectomy resulted in significant clinical improvement. This case underscores the diagnostic intricacies of pheochromocytoma and highlights the need for vigilance when faced with severe, unresponsive cardiovascular symptoms.
PubMed: 38601042
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1326608 -
The Journal of Comparative Neurology Feb 2024Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in oxygen sensing and control of reflex hyperventilation. In aquatic vertebrates, oxygen sensing occurs in the gills via...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in oxygen sensing and control of reflex hyperventilation. In aquatic vertebrates, oxygen sensing occurs in the gills via chemoreceptive neuroepithelial cells (NECs), but a mechanism for dopamine in autonomic control of ventilation has not been defined. We used immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy to map the distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), an enzyme necessary for dopamine synthesis, in the gills of zebrafish. TH was found in nerve fibers of the gill filaments and respiratory lamellae. We further identified dopamine active transporter (dat) and vesicular monoamine transporter (vmat2) expression in neurons of the gill filaments using transgenic lines. Moreover, TH- and dat-positive nerve fibers innervated NECs. In chemical screening assays, domperidone, a D receptor antagonist, increased ventilation frequency in zebrafish larvae in a dose-dependent manner. When larvae were confronted with acute hypoxia, the D agonist, quinpirole, abolished the hyperventilatory response. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmed expression of drd2a and drd2b (genes encoding D receptors) in the gills, and their relative abundance decreased following acclimation to hypoxia for 48 h. We localized D receptor immunoreactivity to NECs in the efferent gill filament epithelium, and a novel cell type in the afferent filament epithelium. We provide evidence for the synthesis and storage of dopamine by sensory nerve terminals that innervate NECs. We further suggest that D receptors on presynaptic NECs provide a feedback mechanism that attenuates the chemoreceptor response to hypoxia. Our studies suggest that a fundamental, modulatory role for dopamine in oxygen sensing arose early in vertebrate evolution.
Topics: Animals; Zebrafish; Gills; Dopamine; Hypoxia; Oxygen; Larva
PubMed: 37837632
DOI: 10.1002/cne.25548 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Feb 2024Female sex hormones have been hypothesized to influence the higher prevalence of gastroparesis in females. This study investigated the effects of hormone replacement...
Female sex hormones have been hypothesized to influence the higher prevalence of gastroparesis in females. This study investigated the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on gastroparesis and its related symptoms, medication use, and diagnostic testing in post-menopausal women. Utilizing the TriNetX platform, we conducted a population-based cohort study involving post-menopausal women aged 50 or older, with and without HRT. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed to adjust for age, race, ethnicity, diabetes, body mass index (BMI), and hemoglobin A1c. The exclusion criteria included functional dyspepsia, cyclic vomiting syndrome, and surgical procedures. After applying the exclusion criteria, we identified 78,192 post-menopausal women prescribed HRT and 1,604,822 not prescribed HRT. Post-propensity matching, each cohort comprised 67,874 patients. A total of 210 of the post-menopausal women prescribed HRT developed an ICD encounter diagnosis of gastroparesis at least 30 days after being prescribed HRT compared to post-menopausal women not prescribed HRT (OR = 1.23, 95% CI [1.01-1.51] -value = 0.0395). These associations persisted in sensitivity analysis over 5 years (OR = 1.65, 95% CI [1.13-2.41] -value = 0.0086). HRT was associated with increased GI symptoms, including early satiety (OR = 1.22, 95% CI [1.03-1.45] -value = 0.0187), domperidone use (OR = 2.40, 95% CI [1.14-5.02] -value = 0.0163), and undergoing gastric emptying studies (OR = 1.67, 95% CI [1.39-2.01] -value < 0.0001). HRT is linked to an increased risk of developing an ICD encounter diagnosis of gastroparesis.
PubMed: 38541017
DOI: 10.3390/jpm14030275 -
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach,... May 2024Restricted by synaptic plasticity, dopamine receptor (DR) upregulation takes a long time to work. Moreover, the impact of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) on delivery...
Restricted by synaptic plasticity, dopamine receptor (DR) upregulation takes a long time to work. Moreover, the impact of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) on delivery efficiency restricts the development of drugs. Taking inspiration from snuff bottles, a convenient, fast-acting, and nonaddictive nasal drug delivery system has been developed to rapidly reshape the balance of synaptic transmitters. This optical and magnetic response system called CFs@DP, comprised of carbonized MIL-100 (Fe) frameworks (CFs) and domperidone (DP), which can enter the brain via nasal administration. Under dual stimulation of near-infrared (NIR) irradiation and catecholamine-induced complexation, CFs@DP disintegrates to release iron ions and DP, causing upregulation of the dopamine type 1 (D), type 2 (D) receptors, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to achieve a therapeutic effect. In vivo experiments demonstrate that the DR density of mice (postnatal day 50-60) increased in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus (HPC) after 10 days of therapy, resulting in antidepressant-like and cognitive enhancement effects. Interestingly, the cognitive enhancement effect of CFs@DP is even working in noniron deficiency (normal fed) mice, making it a promising candidate for application in enhancing learning ability.
PubMed: 38778461
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202405547 -
Toxics Jul 2023There has been a significant increase in sodium azide intoxications since the 1980s. Intoxications caused by sodium azide are becoming increasingly prevalent in the...
There has been a significant increase in sodium azide intoxications since the 1980s. Intoxications caused by sodium azide are becoming increasingly prevalent in the Netherlands as a result of its promotion for the purpose of self-euthanasia. The mechanism of toxicity is not completely understood but is dose-dependent. The presented case describes a suicide by sodium azide of a young woman (26 years old) with a history of depression and suicide attempts. The decedent was found in the presence of prescription medicine, including temazepam, domperidone in combination with omeprazole, and the chemical preservative sodium azide. Quantitative toxicology screening of whole blood revealed the presence of 70 µg/L temazepam (toxic range > 1000 µg/L) and 28 mg/L sodium azide (fatal range: 2.6-262 mg/L). Whole blood qualitative analysis revealed the presence of temazepam, temazepam-glucuronide, olanzapine, n-desmethylolanzapine, and acetaminophen. In circles promoting sodium azide, it is recommended to use sodium azide in combination with medications targeting sodium azide's negative effects, such as analgesics, antiemetics, and anti-anxiety drugs. The medicines recovered at the body's location, as well as the results of the toxicology screens, were consistent with the recommendations of self-euthanasia using sodium azide.
PubMed: 37505573
DOI: 10.3390/toxics11070608