Pharmacology/Pharmaceutical Industry
Identifying perioperative anaphylaxis in Japan: epidemiology, allergens, and diagnostic tools
17 Apr, 2023 | 13:10h | UTC
SR | Oral direct thrombin inhibitors vs. conventional anticoagulants for the treatment of pulmonary embolism
17 Apr, 2023 | 13:02h | UTC
ASCO Policy Statement on biosimilar and interchangeable products in oncology
12 Apr, 2023 | 13:18h | UTCASCO Policy Statement on Biosimilar and Interchangeable Products in Oncology – JCO Oncology Practice
Review | Inappropriate prescriptions of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in hospitalized patients
12 Apr, 2023 | 13:14h | UTC
RCT | Low-dose olanzapine enhances appetite & weight gain in chemotherapy patients
11 Apr, 2023 | 14:41h | UTCRandomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study of Olanzapine for Chemotherapy-Related Anorexia in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric, Hepatopancreaticobiliary, and Lung Cancer – Journal of Clinical Oncology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentaries:
Low-dose olanzapine improves appetite in chemotherapy patients – MDedge
Commentary on Twitter
This trial is as good as it gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅Patient centered supportive care trial
✅Inexpensive medication
✅Conducted in a LMIC
✅Clinically relevant endpoint
✅ Randomized/double-blinded study
✅Potential to immediately change practicehttps://t.co/3nRrFJaS20Kudos!
— Manni Mohyuddin (@ManniMD1) March 29, 2023
Cohort Study | Antiphospholipid antibodies’ prevalence & link to cardiovascular events
10 Apr, 2023 | 13:59h | UTCNews Release: Antiphospholipid antibodies may increase heart disease risk in healthy people – Michigan Medicine
RCT | Maternal RSVpreF vaccination protects infants from severe RSV illness
10 Apr, 2023 | 13:56h | UTCBivalent Prefusion F Vaccine in Pregnancy to Prevent RSV Illness in Infants – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentary: Vaccination during pregnancy could prevent RSV illness in infants – Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Commentary on Twitter
In a phase 3 trial, adults (≥60 years of age) received one 120-μg dose of RSVpreF vaccine or placebo. Vaccine efficacy against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness was 67 to 86%. https://t.co/R9u77iWjF9 pic.twitter.com/iPU8VAMQ9M
— NEJM (@NEJM) April 5, 2023
RCT | RSVpreF vaccine successfully prevents RSV-associated respiratory illness in seniors
10 Apr, 2023 | 13:54h | UTCEfficacy and Safety of a Bivalent RSV Prefusion F Vaccine in Older Adults – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Consensus Paper | An approach to deprescribe antidepressants for depression in older adults
6 Apr, 2023 | 13:25h | UTCRelated:
Discontinuing antidepressants: Pearls and pitfalls.
A method for tapering antipsychotic treatment that may minimize the risk of relapse
Systematic Review: Managing Antidepressant Discontinuation
Randomized controlled trial: preventive cognitive therapy for prevention of depressive recurrence
Overcoming barriers to patient adherence: the case for developing innovative drug delivery systems
5 Apr, 2023 | 13:36h | UTCCommentary: Take Your Meds – Science
Commentary on Twitter
Overcoming barriers to patient adherence: the case for developing innovative drug delivery systems https://t.co/WSyYu24Iw1 – a new review discussing how delivery systems can mitigate impediments to adherence such as frequent dosing, adverse effects and a delayed onset of action pic.twitter.com/xoSJYFo0Qs
— Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (@NatRevDrugDisc) March 28, 2023
Pharmacotherapy of obesity: an update on the available medications and drugs under investigation
5 Apr, 2023 | 12:50h | UTC
RCT | No significant fracture reduction from monthly 60,000 IU vitamin D3 supplementation
4 Apr, 2023 | 13:58h | UTCThe effect of monthly vitamin D supplementation on fractures: a tertiary outcome from the population-based, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled D-Health trial – The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Related:
RCT | Supplemental Vitamin D does not reduce incident fractures in midlife and older adults.
RCT | Vitamin D supplementation shows no significant impact on psoriasis severity
4 Apr, 2023 | 13:51h | UTCSummary: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 122 participants with plaque psoriasis, researchers investigated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on psoriasis severity during winter. Participants received either vitamin D (cholecalciferol, 100,000 IU loading dose followed by 20,000 IU/week) or a placebo for four months. The primary outcome was Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores, with secondary outcomes including Physician Global Assessment, self-administered PASI, and Dermatology Life Quality Index scores.
The study found no significant difference in PASI scores or secondary outcomes between the two groups. The results suggest that vitamin D supplementation does not affect psoriasis severity. However, low baseline severity scores and a lower than expected increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the intervention group may have influenced the findings, indicating that further research may be needed to account for these factors.
Article: Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Psoriasis Severity in Patients With Lower-Range Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels: A Randomized Clinical Trial – JAMA Dermatology (free for a limited period)
Commentary on Twitter
This RCT, performed in North-Norway, found no measurable effect of vitamin D supplementation on psoriasis severity during winter. Low baseline severity, & lower-than-expected rise in 25(OH)D levels in intervention group, may have affected the results. https://t.co/ip17uFQsgM
— JAMA Dermatology (@JAMADerm) March 29, 2023
ICU Delirium | Bayesian analysis suggests high probabilities of benefits and low probabilities of harm with the use of haloperidol
3 Apr, 2023 | 13:43h | UTCHaloperidol vs. placebo for the treatment of delirium in ICU patients: a pre-planned, secondary Bayesian analysis of the AID–ICU trial – Intensive Care Medicine (free for a limited period)
Original article: RCT | Haloperidol for the treatment of delirium in ICU patients did not significantly improve outcomes.
Commentary on Twitter
Haloperidol vs placebo in acutely admitted, adult #ICU pts with #delirium? With IV haloperidol 2.5 mg × 3 daily & as needed doses up to max 20 mg daily:
➡️ high probabilities of benefits
➡️ low probabilities of harm for primary & most secondary outcomes
?️ https://t.co/iNRVVozlRJ pic.twitter.com/NJbhvxxdYx— Intensive Care Medicine (@yourICM) March 27, 2023
Study suggests no heightened death risk in young people with mRNA vaccines, but ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine linked to female cardiac deaths
30 Mar, 2023 | 14:28h | UTC
Commentary from the author on Twitter (thread – click for more)
Our latest @NatureComms research: Risk of death following COVID-19 vaccination or positive SARS-CoV-2 test in young people in England. Led by @Vnafilyan @kamleshkhunti @IsobelLWard et al. https://t.co/oxNdgEAflQ (1/3)
— Prof Amitava Banerjee? (@amibanerjee1) March 28, 2023
M-A | Limited evidence for analgesic effectiveness in acute low back pain treatment
29 Mar, 2023 | 13:32h | UTCSummary: The objective of this systematic review and network meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness and safety of various analgesic medicines for treating acute non-specific low back pain. After examining 98 randomized controlled trials with over 15,000 participants, the study found that the quality of evidence for the effectiveness and safety of these medications is low or very low.
Some analgesic medicines showed potential in reducing pain intensity, but the evidence was limited due to trial risk of bias and imprecision in effect estimates. Furthermore, certain medications might increase the risk of adverse events during treatment, with evidence ranging from moderate to very low confidence.
Given the lack of high-quality evidence, clinicians and patients are advised to be cautious when using analgesic medicines for acute non-specific low back pain. More robust head-to-head comparison trials are needed to provide clearer guidance on the best course of treatment.
News Release: Study finds “considerable uncertainty” around effectiveness and safety of analgesics for low back pain – BMJ Newsroom
Commentary from the author on Twitter (thread – click for more)
Out today in @bmj_latest.
We found “considerable uncertainty” around the effectiveness and safety of analgesic medicines for adults with acute non-specific low back pain.
Available at https://t.co/PeOmEOeJyJ
Thread ? pic.twitter.com/T8YDNGhhME
— Michael Wewege (@mawewege) March 22, 2023
Consensus Paper | Diagnosis and treatment of anticancer drug-induced interstitial lung disease
29 Mar, 2023 | 13:04h | UTC
Cohort Study | Leukotriene-receptor antagonist use during pregnancy not linked to neuropsychiatric events in offspring
17 Mar, 2023 | 12:56h | UTCCommentary: In utero exposure to asthma medication not tied to risks of neurodevelopmental disorders – MDedge
Deprescribing strategies for opioids and benzodiazepines with emphasis on concurrent use: a scoping review
15 Mar, 2023 | 15:06h | UTCRelated:
RCT | A deprescribing intervention reduced medication burden among older adults in post-acute care
Deprescribing proton pump inhibitors – Australian Journal of General Practice
Antihypertensive Deprescribing in Older Adults: a Practical Guide – Current Hypertension Reports
Deprescribing in Palliative Cancer Care – Life
Less is More: Deprescribing Medications in Older Adults with Kidney Disease: A Review – Kidney360
Polypharmacy Management in Older Patients – Mayo Clinic Proceedings
Eliminating Medication Overload: A National Action Plan – Lown Institute
Common ED Medication Errors: Polypharmacy – emDocs
Current and future perspectives on the management of polypharmacy – BMC Family Practice
Polypharmacy—an Upward Trend with Unpredictable Effects – Deutsches Ärzteblatt international
Clinical Consequences of Polypharmacy in Elderly – Expert Opinion on Drug Safety
ISCCM Consensus Statement | Prevention of venous thromboembolism in the critical care unit
13 Mar, 2023 | 14:53h | UTC
Decrease in hospitalizations and liver failure after FDA mandate limiting paracetamol dosage in prescription opioid combinations.
13 Mar, 2023 | 14:45h | UTCAssociation of FDA Mandate Limiting Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) in Prescription Combination Opioid Products and Subsequent Hospitalizations and Acute Liver Failure – JAMA (free for a limited period)
Editorial: Moving the Needle to Reduce Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) Hepatotoxicity – JAMA (free for a limited period)
Author Interview: Limiting Acetaminophen in Prescription Combination Opioid Products – JAMA
Video Summary: Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) and Acute Liver Failure – JAMA
Commentary on Twitter
The @US_FDA mandate to limit acetaminophen to 325 mg/tablet in prescription combination acetaminophen and opioid medications was associated with a decline in hospitalizations involving acetaminophen and opioid toxicity. https://t.co/6tdqFAI4hG
— JAMA (@JAMA_current) March 7, 2023
Review | How to use nebulized antibiotics in severe respiratory infections
10 Mar, 2023 | 14:31h | UTCHow to Use Nebulized Antibiotics in Severe Respiratory Infections – Antibiotics
M-A | Opioids for breathlessness in heart failure have no significant benefits and increase adverse effects
9 Mar, 2023 | 14:11h | UTCSummary: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of opioids in treating breathlessness in patients with heart failure and to evaluate their adverse effects. The authors conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and included eight studies with 271 patients.
The results showed that opioids did not provide significant benefits in managing breathlessness in advanced HF and significantly increased the risk of adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
The authors suggest that opioids should be considered only as a last resort when other interventions have failed or in emergency situations.
Article: Effect of opioids for breathlessness in heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis – Heart
FDA panel endorses 2 RSV vaccines for older adults, but flag at potential increased risk of Guillain-Barre
8 Mar, 2023 | 14:27h | UTCPfizer vaccine:
In close vote, FDA advisers recommend Pfizer RSV vaccine for those 60 and older – CIDRAP
GSK’s vaccine:
FDA panel recommends GSK’s RSV vaccine for ages 60 and up – CIDRAP
FDA advisors recommend GSK’s RSV vaccine for older adults, but flag potential safety risks – CNBC
See also: Rare neurological condition is ‘important potential risk’ of Pfizer’s RSV vaccine, FDA says – CNN
M-A | Comparison of a short vs. long-course antibiotic therapy for ventilator-associated pneumonia
7 Mar, 2023 | 13:18h | UTCSummary:
This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials aimed to compare the rates of recurrence and relapse of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) between short-course (≤8 days) and long-course (≥10-15 days) antibiotic therapy strategies. Five relevant studies involving 1069 patients were identified.
Compared to long-course therapy, short-course therapy increased the number of antibiotic-free days without any impact on recurrence and relapses of VAP, 28 days mortality, mechanical ventilation duration, number of extra-pulmonary infections, and length of ICU stay.
However, the study’s limitations, such as the small sample size and the lack of standardized definitions of the assessed outcomes, should be considered when interpreting the results.
Commentary: Study finds benefits in short-course antibiotics for ventilator-associated pneumonia – CIDRAP