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Drug Information Center – Forum
Volume 1, Issue 5

Thursday, November 16, 2000

Contributors

Index

New Drug Approvals

This information taken from http://www.fda.gov/cder/da/da.htm#latest

New Drug Indications

Market Withdrawals

Primary Literature Reviews

Methylene Blue Improves the Hepatopulmonary Syndrome

Peter Schenk, Christian Madl, et al.

Ann Intern Med November 7, 2000;133:701-706.

The hepatopulmonary syndrome is a combination of liver disease, pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities, and widespread pulmonary vasodilation. This open trial in seven patients with severe hepatopulmonary syndrome examines the effectiveness of intravenous methylene blue, an oxidizing agent which inhibits NO-induced vasodilation.

Methylene blue administration led to an increase in PaO2 in all patients, with a maximum effect after 5 hours. The results of this trial indicate that methylene blue may be a treatment worthy of further study in the treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome.

Reviewed by Jason Bui

Characteristics of Tranquilizer Use Among Australian Vietnam War Veterans

Christopher Alderman, Andrew Gilbert, John Condon

Ann Pharmacother November 2000;34;1243-1248.

This study examines tranquilizer use by Australian Vietnam War veterans. Fifty-one Australian Vietnam War veterans were interviewed in order to gather information on their medical and psychiatric history and their use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances. Subjects were also assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (Ham-A) and a tranquilizer dependence rating scale. Most subjects used a tranquilizer for nighttime sedation, and a majority of subjects met the criteria for tranquilizer dependence. The researchers conclude that this is an area where intervention may be needed.

Reviewed by Jason Chow

Inhaled Zanamivir for the Prevention of Influenza in Families

Frederick G. Hayden, Larisa V. Gubareva, Arnold S. Monto, et al.

New Engl J Med November 2, 2000;343:1282-1289.

This double-blind controlled trial studies inhaled zanamivir in the treatment and prevention of influenza in families. 337 families (1158 participants) were randomized to receive either inhaled zanamivir or placebo after any member of the family developed a flu-like illness. The families who received zanamivir after being in contact with an infected family member were found to be less likely to develop influenza than were those who received the placebo. Therefore, it is concluded that zanamivir is effective in the prevention of influenza.

Reviewed by Sylvia Jacob

Bleeding and Pneumonia In Intensive Care Patients Given Ranitidine and Sucralfate for Prevention of Stress Ulcer: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

A. Messori, S. Trippoli, M. Vaiani, et al.

Brit Med J November 4, 2000;321:1103-

Using published studies retrieved through Medline and other databases, this meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of ranitidine and sucralfate in the prevention of stress ulcers in critically ill patients and assesses whether these treatments affect the risk of nosocomial pneumonia. This study included comparisons of ranitidine vs. placebo, sucralfate vs. placebo, and ranitidine vs. sucralfate from eighteen published studies. In the analysis of ranitidine vs. placebo, ranitidine was found to have the same effectiveness as placebo. In the placebo controlled studies, ranitidine and sucralfate had no influence on the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia. In comparison with sucralfate, ranitidine significantly increased the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia. The authors conclude that ranitidine is ineffective in the prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients and might increase the risk of pneumonia. However, the sucralfate studies were based on small numbers of patients and firm conclusions cannot be proposed from this study.

Reviewed by Lora Johnson

Prescribing Potentially Inappropriate Psychotropic Medications to the Ambulatory Elderly

Jane R. Mort, Rajender R. Aparasu

Archive of Internal Medicine October 9,2000; 160(18): 2825-2831.

In a study of 29,806 elderly patients, potentially inappropriate psychotropic medications were prescribed in 27.2% of visits to physician offices and hospital outpatient departments. Of the visits associated with inappropriate psychotropic medication, 95.34% were associated in causing a high-severity type of adverse effect. Most of these visits involved the prescription of amitriptyline and long-acting benzodiazepines. Further research is needed to help quantify the impact of prescribing inappropriate psychotropic medications to the elderly.

Reviewed by Sao Ly

This Issue's Review Article

Cachexia

Donald P. Kolter

Ann Intern Med October 17, 2000;133(8):622-634.

This article reviews the physiologic, metabolic, and behavioral changes of cachexia along with treatments such as appetite stimulants, anticytokine therapies, hypercaloric feeding, and more. Cachexia is the clinical consequence of a chronic, systemic inflammatory response. Cachexia is one of the most distressing symptoms of cancer and some other diseases, robbing people of their energy, sense of well-being, and quality of life, and increasing their dependence on others. The foremost sign of cachexia is weight loss, not only of fatty tissue but also of muscle tissue and even bone. In addition, there is loss of appetite (anotexia), weakness (asthenia), and a drop in hemoglobin (anemia). Appetite stimulants are used to increase caloric intake. Megestrol acetate promotes caloric intake in patients with cancer or HIV infection. Anti-inflammatory agents plus erythropoietin can improve nutritional status, blood counts, and exercise capacity. More widespread application of nutritional therapies will require demonstration of their safety and efficacy.

reviewed by Stephanie Bivins

Contact Information:
H. Glenn Anderson, Jr Pharm.D.
Ann L. McIlvain Pharm.D
Texas Tech Drug Information Center
(806)-356-4009